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You sure don’t associate gardening with lack of eco-friendliness, but it really seems that busy green fingers are damaging the environment. Long established practices are taking its toll in nature: from mowing and watering the lawn to the use of peat and pesticides.

Just dumping your petrol lawnmower can cut up to 36 kg of CO2 a year. Lawn sprinklers can use up to 1,000 litres of water an hour, which is basically what a family of four uses in a day. If you were thinking of fixing the problem by planting trees, it’s a good try but they take a decade to become ‘carbon neutral’. According to a recent study, our gardening habits are seriously contributing to an increased production of greenhouse gas emissions as well as being directly responsible for the introduction of invasive species with huge consequences for native biodiversity. 

The use of peat as compost is another problematic aspect of modern gardening practices. In the UK alone peat cut to be used in gardens accounts for half a million tons of CO2 a year, the equivalent of 100,000 cars ‘emissions put together. 

So what are the best gardening practices that scientific evidence can agree on? The following have the sustainability seal of approval:

Mulching. By mulching all uncovered soil you will benefit from water retention, weed control and the improvement of the soil’s structure. The best for mulching are leaf compost, pine bark chips and cocoa hulls.

Composting. This is good practice and will get you rid of garden and kitchen waste. If even by making your own compost a fertilizer is still needed, try organic ones like aged manure and compost tea.

Choosing pest-resistant plants. Even with these your plants can still experience disease and threatened by insects. First try prevention like ensuring good air circulation and take action only when a plant is found to be under peril. Always use the least toxic methods first to remedy the situation and avoid broad spectrum insecticides.

Weeding. Do it by hand or use a 10% vinegar solution.

Watering smart. Avoid sprinklers and direct the water to the root zone by hand or using soaker or drip irrigation. Do it preferably in the morning and water according to plant needs. Avoid rigid schedules. So water infrequently but deeply – save fine mists for newly planted seed only. Try to group plants together with similar water needs.

Reducing storm water run-off. Use rain barrels and employ rain garden techniques by employing depressions in the soil for water-thirsty plants. These plants are also a good way for stabilizing stream banks by reducing soil erosion.

Choosing drought-tolerant plants. With the exception of wet patches in your garden, go for drought-tolerant plants so you can save water.

Eliminating lawns. Or at least reducing them. Lawns don´t encourage biodiversity and need a lot of water and pesticides to keep them in tip top condition.