How sustainable is your garden? Check it with these tips.

The garden is a place where you can unwind from a busy day or relax with friends and family. But there's more! Green, sustainable gardens also connect nature in cities and villages with each other, and with the surrounding area. This is important for all kinds of wildlife. With the tips from Arit Anderson in the September issue of Gardeners' World magazine, you can make your garden even more sustainable.

Soil is the foundation of a sustainable garden. It nourishes your plants, retains water, and contains countless (micro)animals and fungi that help your plants and keep pests in balance. You can primarily help the soil by leaving it undisturbed as much as possible and using organic matter as mulch . This effectively retains water and prevents flooding and erosion.

Extra tip: Don't have enough compost? Then buy or make peat-free potting soil or soil improver. This will significantly reduce your impact on nature and the climate.

By buying local, non-toxic plants from sustainable nurseries , you reduce your environmental impact and buy strong plants that can last for years. Unfortunately, many "explosive" plants from regular garden centers contain high levels of toxins, turning flowers into a threat to all kinds of insects and pollinators, such as wild bees and butterflies. That's the last thing you want as a gardener!

When buying plants, choose a wide variety of plants, both native and exotic. The more plant species you have, the more insects you'll have in your garden. This, in turn, will attract other species, such as toads, hedgehogs, and birds. All this diversity of animals contributes to a healthy garden ecosystem, where problems are less likely to occur.

Check where your garden items, such as tools, wood, and furniture, are made. If they come from far away, they may have a greater impact on the environment. Plus, it's fun to reuse materials in your garden!

It's tempting to completely overhaul your garden with a new idea, but it's more sustainable to take a good look at your garden first. Check out these examples:

Are there old trees and shrubs that you can leave or move?
Should the tiles go straight to the dump, or can they be reused in another way, for example as stacked walls or stepping stones ?
Can you use pruning waste, stones, pots and other materials as housing for insects and other animals?
Should the soil be replaced, or would it perhaps be better to improve it with organic material?

These choices and a critical eye ensure that you do not invest unnecessary material, time and money in a garden and that you create a more sustainable whole.

Grower Heleen Calcoen gives you tips on harvesting seeds, among other things.
Editor Govert de Jong guides us through the Dutch flora heritage at the Living Archive.
Ralph Stoové visits an example garden for gardeners with disabilities.
Even more inspiration and practical, sustainable gardening tips!

In our webshop, you can read what else you can expect from the September issue. Prefer new garden tips every month? Then you'll find our magazine subscription options here . A preview of our new issue is below.