Organic Gardener

Building the Garden Framework

A truly organic approach to building a garden should extend beyond selecting the right plants and include all the elements that comprise a garden, from landscaping materials, pathways to furniture.

Choosing timber for the garden

Timber is potentially the most environmentally friendly building material for your garden. It is often ideal for walls, screens and borders. It is important for the organic gardener to select wood sourced from environmentally sustainable methods.

Natural resistance
Many species of timber are already naturally resistant to disease and pest infestation and are ideal for use in the organic garden.

Houn pine is especially resistant to water while some species are particularly resistant to fungi and termites. Recycled timber from sources such as old fences or railway sleepers are ideal for use in the garden as they are often made from these species of timber and are already weathered, looking great in the garden.

Hard surfaces

Areas such as paths, patios and driveways account for large areas in a garden and can consume the lions share of building materials required.

Stone and pavers
Natural stones provide a very durable surface however are usually limited in supply and costly. Stone is often produced from destructive quarrying methods that can be quite environmentally destructive. These surfaces however tend to last for longer periods which can offset initial environmental concerns.

Gravel and crushed rock
Gravel and crushed rock are also derived from harmful quarrying methods. These can also be produced from equally destructive sea-dredging which destroys marine environments.

Reclaimed aggregates such as crushed rubble from building sites can provide a friendlier alternative and make attractive durable surfaces.

Timber and wood
Wood makes an environmentally (depending on eco-concious sources) sound surface, however can be treacherous as pathways etc when wet.

Timber is often the material of choice for decking and reclaimed timber is especially suited to this purpose.

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• Soil And Soil Care
• Water And Watering
• Pest Control
• Weeds And Weed Control
• Containers And Planters
• Greenhouses And Shadehouses
• Walls, Fences And Screens
• Pavers And Stones
• Lawn And Lawn Care
• Hedges And Windbreaks
• Flowering Plants
• Growing Fruit
• Growing Vegetables
• Growing Herbs