Greener by Design
Green Design principles are very important to Peak Garden Design – Sheffield. Careful planning and responsible design can ensure that the environmental impact of a new garden is minimised – not just during construction, but throughout the life cycle of the garden.
Aspects to consider during design and construction:
Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim
How much of your existing garden could be re-used? On first glance it may seem that nothing is useful, and many would not want old, tired materials in a new garden. However, it is often surprising how much could be re-used in a new garden – slabs, bricks, tiles, aggregates, stone, timber and plants can all be very useful. It is often surprising how much a pressure wash will rejuvenate tired looking slabs and tiles. Many existing materials could be used to create new and interesting designs in your new garden. One of the patios above (slide 3) consists of reclaimed slate (grey) with existing clay tiles. On first inspection the clay tiles were dirty, brown and uninspiring, however a quick pressure wash and they bring colour and character into the new garden. The Tranquil Garden is a great example of upcycling and recycling.
Even if a material doesn’t feature in your new garden it will usually be of use to someone, therefore we try to recycle (freecycle) materials as much as possible.
Material choices
At Peak Garden Design we are mindful of the origin and extraction of landscaping materials. It isn’t always clear where and how materials are sourced. A lot of natural stone is sourced from Asia and often extracted by non ethical means. It is usually possible (although slightly more expensive) to use more local and ethically sourced materials (Ethical Stone Company).
Similar considerations can be applied to timber and we always try to specify and use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) timber which is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Waste Disposal
The disposal of waste has improved greatly over the past few years. Large increases in Landfill tax have encouraged skip companies to be more proactive with sorting waste and recycling where possible. However, there is still room for improvement and we try to be mindful when disposing of waste during landscaping projects.
Drainage
Busy lifestyles and less time/interest to garden means that many prefer low maintenance garden solutions. This usually means gardens with more hard landscaping and less grass and planting. With the expanse of urban areas and increased hard landscaping less rain water is draining straight back into the ground. This increases the stress on sewers and reduces the water returning directly to the water table. Intelligent garden design can deliver low maintenance gardens whilst maintaining some natural drainage. Patios can drain naturally into gravel trenches during normal normal rainfall, then the drains can provide back up during periods of excessive precipitation.
Further information on Sustainable Drainage.
Landscapes for Wildlife
Landscapes and planting can be beautiful to us and provide a great haven for wildlife. Increasing urbanisation has made it more challenging for the birds, bees, mammals and aquatic wildlife. Whilst it is not always possible (or desired) in all gardens, some thoughtful design additions can make a big difference to the local wildlife.
Further information on Wildlife Friendly Gardens.
Low Energy Electrics
Using low energy lighting and efficient water pumps can greatly reduce the power consumption of your garden.
Intelligent Design
A good awareness of an existing plot and its limitations can reduce the impact and cost of a new garden. Your new garden should be creative, beautiful and unique; however, I believe this can be achieved with a good understanding of the existing materials, topography and levels in your current garden. Sympathetic design, which successfully integrates your new garden can help reduce cost and excessive waste. This is more important with very sloped and/or terraced gardens – a clever design approach will integrate well with the existing topography.
Choose Local
Where possible we try to design with local materials, contractors and waste disposal in mind.