Barnes Common frequently receives enquires from people who want to make their gardens more sustainable, and here, we respond to some of these queries. If you have a question you would like us to feature – whether related to food growing or sustainable gardening in general – please contact Nicky. If you have tried these ideas at home, let us know how it goes!
As gardeners everywhere get ready for the growing season, there’s one question we get asked on a regular basis; “how can I source my plants ethically?”. Increasingly, we are aware of the importance of buying plants grown sustainably, without the use of chemicals, disposable plastic pots and compost containing peat. There is also a growing discussion around heritage and open-pollinated varieties of seed. Despite a gradual shift, most garden centres and large online retailers are still selling mass-produced plants, and seeking out more sustainable alternatives can take a bit of research. In this post, we’ll have a look at some of the options.
Whilst we all love a seed catalogue, it’s worth considering whether we need to buy plants at all. For many years, plants were not commodities; they were something that could be freely cultivated and shared amongst communities. There are many methods we can use to cultivate plants from what we have already, and seed saving is one of these. During the Green Revolution of the 1960s and 70s, large companies patented seeds, and there was a shift from open-pollinated seeds (those pollinated naturally by wind or insects) to F1 hybrid seeds (those pollinated manually, with the aim of producing uniform offspring). These later produce seed that is not viable, and so there is no option but to buy more seed every year. In some places, saving seed has actually been made illegal. However, in our own gardens we can choose open-pollinated varieties and save the seed, getting years’ worth of food from just one packet. You might also consider attending a local seed swap to exchange seeds with neighbours. Seeds grown locally are often more resilient to the local conditions, and as well as this, they carry the stories of the people who have grown them.
There are other methods for growing more plants from what you already have. Taking cuttings is a great option for cultivating shrubs. You can lift and divide clumping perennials, and layering is an option for stoloniferous plants such as strawberries or blackberries. You can even try bulb scaling, although you will need to wait some time before you have new bulbs! When trying these methods, it’s important to only remove material from plants that are healthy and thriving and always treat the plants with respect, by using sharp secateurs and making a clean cut, for example. There are lots of guides to these techniques online, and in April, our growers’ workshop will focus on ‘plants for free’, and you’ll get a chance to learn them first hand.
There are times when you will want to buy seeds and plants. You can source open pollinated seeds from several companies; Vital Seeds and Real Seeds are particularly reliable. Real Seeds also offers a heavily discounted package to low or unwaged gardeners. You might also want to try some perennial veg, in which case Incredible Vegetables does a great range. The RHS maintains a list of peat-free nurseries and organic nurseries. It’s also worth finding out what’s available in your local area; sales at local allotments, farmers’ markets and community gardens will usually guarantee you are getting ethically produced plants, and the proceeds are going back to a good cause.
Sourcing plants from your local area often means you come across interesting and unusual varieties, and is a great opportunity to chat to other growers and swap tips and techniques. Do you have any favourite ethical plants or seed suppliers? Get in touch and let us know!
Previous blogs:
How do I grow my own cut flowers?
How can I enhance biodiversity in a small urban garden?
This is how gardening can help your wellbeing
How Can I Garden Without a Garden?
What is permaculture, and how can I apply it in my own garden?
How to Plant a Pollinator-Friendly Garden