Seeking out ways to create an environmentally friendly outdoor space is important, whether you are a beginner or experienced gardener. Remember that in the long term, the choices that you make will have an impact on our planet. In this article, we share some tips on creating your own eco-friendly garden.

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Collect rainwater

We get enough of it, so why not put the rainwater to good use by collecting it in a water tank from somewhere like Team Poly? You can use it to water your garden or wash your vehicles, which not only helps the environment but your water bill as well! If this is not an option, look at reducing the size of your lawn, so there is less grass to water, and avoid using sprinklers, which use an incredible amount of water. 

Build A Natural Compost Heap

Instead of buying ready-made soil from the store, have a go at making a compost heap. It is very simple – you use your food waste and any other organic matter that can decompose. By creating a compost heap, you are adding some much-needed nutrients to the soil and prevent even more wasted produce from entering our landfills. Organic material that you can put on your heap include vegetables, fruit, coffee grounds, eggshells, dead leaves, lawn cuttings, and shredded paper. However, meat and dairy products should not be added and nor should cooked food as these can attract vermin into your garden. You also need to add water (from your water tank!) to keep it moist and aerate it by turning it over with a pitchfork regularly. 

Use Solar Power

Many of us like to have water features and lights in our garden, but of course, these use quite a lot of energy. If you choose to have them, think about using solar power to power them. They use energy from the sun rather than your electricity supply, which not only makes them more sustainable but saves you money as well.

Add Native Species of Plants and Flowers

Exotic plants and flowers look great in your garden, but they can often consume a lot more water, fertilizer and need more in terms of maintenance and upkeep to keep them healthy. However, if you choose species that are native to your area, you will find that they thrive. This is because they have naturally adapted to the climate and the surrounding environment.

Plant Trees 

One of the best ways to help the environment is to plant more trees in your garden. They will help to improve the air quality by releasing more oxygen, and will also provide a habitat for wildlife. Plus, they can make your garden appear more attractive and inviting and provide some much welcome shade.

Use natural products to kill weeds effectively.

If your garden is rife with weeds, it can be tempting to pick up a bottle of store-bought weed killer, but this can harm the soil. However, there are plenty of natural products out there, which will do the same job effectively and safely. For instance, acetic acid at concentrate can kill 20% of weeds. Clove oil can also effectively burn weeds, while corn gluten can stop weeds from emerging in your garden.

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Being able to ensure that you, your family and your belongings are completely safe and secure inside your home should be one of your main priorities. You must take steps to minimize the chances of someone, or something, being able to break in and potentially cause harm to the residents and contents of your home, as wherever you live there’s a possibility that criminals and wild animals may be lurking nearby. Luckily, there are a few easy ways that you can improve your homes security in next to no time, that can help you sleep soundly at night having the utmost confidence that you won’t be disturbed. 

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Install An Alarm System

One of the best ways to protect your home is by installing an alarm system that can detect an intruder and alert you, and sometimes even the emergency services, immediately. Depending on the level of security you require, an alarm can help to cover the outside of your house as well as certain areas inside such as the ground floor once you go upstairs to sleep at night. The very moment that the motion, light or sound detection is tripped, a loud noise of some kind will sound. This will alert you to the situation, and also help to scare off who or whatever decided to gain access to your property. It can also help to alert your neighbors to contact the police if they can hear your alarm sounding continuously. Though the alarms physical container may act as a deterrent to some hopeful robbers, it can also signify that you have something (possibly very valuable and expensive) to protect, so be careful. 

Secure Windows & Doors

Invest some money in door and window replacement can boost the security of your house dramatically. Replacing any old and worn out windows for some reinforced double glazing will provide you with an extra thick layer of defense. Ensure that the locks to your windows are strong and sturdy, and assess the ease of opening them without a key or from the outside to identify any weaknesses. For external doors, avoid any kind of glass panelling that could be shattered or smashed easily. Its best to opt for a thick door that contains a spy hole, as well as a deadlock. A chain and limiter will help to keep you even more safe, as they allow you to speak with anyone who calls whilst making it close to impossible for them to gain entry. If you ever lose even one key to your home, be sure to get the locks changed as soon as possible. The small amount of money you will have to spend will be worth it to ensure the safety of your family. 

Get Some CCTV

Security cameras, though sometimes a costly investment, come with a whole host of benefits. Firstly just the existence of a camera, whether working or not, will be the perfect warning to anyone trying to gain unlawful access to your home and work well in putting them off their original plans. Being able to review and monitor the perimeter of your property without having to step foot outside will allow you to identify any risks before they become real problems and help to give you more time to prepare yourself and act accordingly. Some CCTV systems even link through to your smartphone or other electronic device, so you can check your house when you are away for even greater peace of mind. 

Fencing 

If you want to have maximum levels of security and your home is detached (stands alone), it might be worthwhile to consider purchasing fencing to surround your property or land. Fences can come in many different forms, ranging from railing with pointed tips that are unscalable, to strong and tall brick walls that make your house inaccessible from the outside. It’s completely up to you how far you would like to go, but just ensure that you have the right planning permission if you would like to build something. 

Trying to figure out what to do after your home broken into is really tough, and preventing the event from occurring in the first place is much easier. By following the easy steps above you should be able to increase the overall security of your house dramatically and feel much more relaxed knowing that you and your family are safe and sound. Don’t wait around for the worst to happen before you take the right amount measures to protect your property. 

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