Rarely a day goes by without us hearing another reason why we need to play our part in looking after our environment. Sometimes that can feel overwhelming. What can we as individuals actually do to help?

Well, here are 10 simple steps that you can take to make a difference. Make this the year that you start gardening in a more sustainable way.

Plant a tree

Did you know that planting native trees is one of the biggest things we can do to tackle climate change? They absorb carbon from the atmosphere and reduce pollution. They also do wonders for your health and wellbeing.

You don’t need space to plant a woodland to make a difference. And it doesn’t need to be a mighty oak tree that would dominate your back garden. Simply planting a single tree is enough to help. Trees come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s something to suit any outdoor space.

Go peat-free

Peat-free compost is readily available so this is an easy swap to make. Keep peat in peatlands - “bogs not bags” advises the RHS. Choose your compost consciously or create it yourself. Making your own compost is another way to save carbon, plus it’s easy to do.

From 2024, sales of peat compost to gardeners will be banned. Peatlands are crucial for storing carbon, providing ecosystems for wildlife and acting like sponges to prevent flooding. They need to stay intact to do their job.

Eat local produce or grow your own

Reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy fresh food at its best by eating seasonal, local produce. This move can reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably.

Designating a small patch of garden to veg is a win-win for you and the environment. You can get such joy from growing and eating your own produce. Plus, you can ensure that it’s pesticide-free.

Grow your own cut flowers

Who doesn’t enjoy adding colour and fragrance to your home with fresh, cut flowers? But, did you know that some imported flowers have 10 x the carbon footprint of those grown locally? Swapping overseas flowers for homegrown could save up to 8kg of carbon per bunch. That’s a huge difference.

Whether you have ample borders to fill with flowers or a few pots, you can make a difference by growing your own flowers rather than buying imported bunches.

Reuse rainwater

No ifs, just butts! Use a water butt to catch rainwater that you can reuse in your garden. No need to turn on your mains tap, just use the water that falls freely from the sky. Save rainwater when it’s plentiful to use in those hot, dry spells when your garden needs it most.

Our water supply is threatened by an expanding population and climate change.Reduce some of that pressure, by thoughtfully reusing water and using less of it. Use a watering can full of rainwater rather than a hosepipe attached to the mains supply. It’s another simple swap that can make a big impact.

Buy locally grown or UK grown plants

It can be so tempting to pick up a cheap plant with your food shopping at the supermarket, but that plant can have a cost to the planet. It may have travelled thousands of miles to get here, packed into a refrigerated truck which all contributes to a significant carbon footprint.

Buying local plants is much kinder to the environment. Make sure you know what you’re buying and planting. Local plants won’t have foreign insects or disease (yes, that can happen with imported plants) and they should be more suited to your home environment.

We’re big fans of supporting our local nurseries and plant shops. The plants are often grown with love and care. Plus, those plant growers are so knowledgeable that they can help you find the right plants for the right places in your garden.

Create a dry garden

We talked earlier about saving rainwater to use less mains water. How about creating a garden that needs less watering altogether? Clever idea, eh?

A dry garden is a great solution. As the name suggests, it needs less water. It uses drought-tolerant plants, free-draining soil and gravel. It’s simple, stylish and sustainable.

Swap plants with friends or grow from cuttings of existing plants

This is a simple and cost-saving solution. Instead of buying new each time, thin out existing plants. Take cuttings - nature’s way of recycling. If you admire a plant in your friend’s garden, ask for a cutting!

We’ve also found great plants nearby on Facebook MarketPlace. Sourcing plants directly from the grower is a very eco-friendly solution.

Use a no dig policy in your garden

That’s right, put down your spade and do a lot less gardening. Leaving soil alone will keep that carbon locked away and allow the microorganisms to do their thing. It helps to encourage a really rich soil.

The no-dig method will ultimately reduce weeds and require less attention. You’re allowing soil to do what it does naturally without intervention. That’s great for ecosystems and for attracting wildlife into your garden.

Install a green roof

A roof covered in plants and grass doesn’t just look interesting, it has plenty of environmental and financial benefits too.

It’s natural insulation which reduces the need for gas or electric heating. You won’t lose heat through the roof when there’s a layer of plant life on there. In the summer, it keeps the building below cooler as well. It’s a really energy-efficient option, reducing CO2 at the same time.

Green roofs reduce water runoff by absorbing rainwater. They improve the air quality and they attract wildlife. On top of all that, they improve your outlook with added green in your environment.

That’s ten simple ways that you can play your part in saving our planet. Get out in the garden and make a difference. Where will you start?