Gardens and landscaping
Spending even a small amount of time with nature has many health benefits. It can lower blood pressure and stress. And boost our immune systems. Gardening is a great way to connect to the natural world.
Parks like Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens are great places to get garden inspiration. Explore them to find ideas for your outdoor space. Here are a few to get you going.
Make a metre matter
One metre can make a real difference for biodiversity. Whether you have a yard, balcony, garden or community plot – every metre helps. We're working with university students to track the difference our metre plots make. Got a metre you could make matter? Find inspiration and take part at www.gardenersworld.com/make-a-metre-matter.
Green your front garden
Kerb appeal isn’t the only reason to add plants to your front garden. Though it can transform your outdoor space. Benefits include helping to reduce flooding and improving air quality. As well as providing a sanctuary for wildlife and your household. Small changes can make a big difference.
The RHS have useful ‘how to’ guides. Find out how to green your front garden and much more. If your front garden provides off-street parking, you can still create an oasis to enjoy all year. Find out how to create clever planting designs with easy to grow plants for drives.
Plant a living fence
Also known as a hedge. These wildlife corridors are a more natural way to create a border around your garden. They can cope with strong winds and last longer than a traditional fence. Hedges can also help to reduce flooding and soil erosion. As well as providing a habitat and food source for many insects and birds.
Choosing the right hedge planting is key to get the look and size you need. Slow-growing plants often make good hedges, so they can take a while to reach the size needed.
If you need a quicker way to screen a garden, a solution is to guide young plants on a traditional timber fence. When the fence rots and needs replacing, your hedge will be more developed. Find out which hedging plants the RHS recommends.
Grow your own food and flowers
You don’t need much space to grow your own food and flowers. In Our Nature have useful tips on food growing – whether you have a big garden or a small window ledge.
Collect rainwater
Collect rainwater to water your plants. It gives you a supply of water outside and saves money, if you have a water meter. To get a discounted water butt for your garden go to www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk.
Tree planting
Trees and plants produce the oxygen we breathe and they store carbon in their trunks and roots. They provide materials, food and shelter for millions of species. And they protect land from erosion and reduce flooding and air pollution. The Tree Council have useful care tips for young trees.
Advice from our arboriculture teams
Our arboriculture (tree) teams are expert at planting in Manchester. They've given us their top tips for your home or community project. Find out what our expert teams suggest for your planting project.
Grow a community gardening project
Want to get more hands on in your local community? Find out how to get involved.