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Sustainability is becoming an ever more important part of our modern lives. Our recognition of civilisations impact on the planet is making us think hard about the day to day choices we make.
This is even more relevant in regard to our gardens and outside spaces. Landscapes are people’s gateway to the natural world and are the key to our sustainable future. Sustainable gardens can be havens for wildlife, produce food, sequester carbon and even generate power. In order to create sustainable gardens you must evolve spaces which enhance productive, natural ecosystems and offset negative impacts of human development. Sustainable gardens are multifunctional environments which combine natural process, ecology, recycling, food production and recreation. If you want to create a sustainable garden easily we have listed 25 main ways to make a sustainable garden today! 1. Create a vegetable plot
The fundamental element of sustainability is to not consume what you cannot provide from your environment. With all the hype about electric cars and solar technology, growing your own food is the most sustainable thing you can do! Sustainability is all about fundamental concepts such as how much land does a person need to be self sufficient in food? Answering such questions can provide a realistic idea of what sustainability is. Vegetable gardens are easy to create, encourage exercise, are fun and provide fresh food for the kitchen. If you are interested in starting your own vegetable garden check out our article on the subject here. 2. Grow perennial vegetables
Traditional vegetable plots are not the only way sustainable gardens can produce food. Conventional vegetable growing generally relies on annual crops which grow from seed every year. However there is a whole range of perennial vegetables which once established, re-grow every year. The most commonly known examples of perennial vegetables include species such as Asparagus, Artichoke and Rhubarb. However, there are actually many other less well known perennial vegetables that are also available. The self sufficient homesteading blog has an excellent article listing all of these here. Perennial vegetables are more sustainable than annuals as they require less seasonal input, maintenance and fertiliser. 3. Plant an orchard
The best sustainable gardens are endowed with the ability to produce food, attract wildlife and sequester carbon. The best way to implement all three is to plant an orchard which can provide you with seasonal crops. In spring orchard blossoms can provide an early source of nectar for multiple pollinator insects and bees. There are so many different species you can grow including, apples, pears, almonds, hazels, plums, cherries and figs to name a few. Fruit and nut trees grow in the same position for decades locking up carbon above and below ground. They also provide shelter for wildlife and help to improve air quality. 4. Keep chickens
There is a good reason chickens have been kept by people ever since the dawn of agriculture. Chickens are one of the most sustainable livestock animals to have living around your home. These amazing birds have the ability to lay nutritious eggs daily and provide some of the best fertiliser. Given enough room to forage chickens can feed themselves on garden pests and weeds. Chickens can be fed on leftover vegetables from the kitchen and will even eat grass. This means they convert waste products into food making them a great accompaniment to the sustainable garden. There are so many breeds to choose from and they are very easy to keep. If you are thinking about keeping chickens you may want to obtain a good book on the subject first. Small chicken runs and coops are quite affordable with many designs available online. 5. Slow down surface run off sustainablyOne of the biggest ecological problems around urban developments is impermeable, surface run off. During times of heavy rain storm water flushes chemicals and pollutants from surfaces into drainage networks. This water can find its way into streams and rivers poisoning natural ecosystems. On a local level continuous hard surfacing can contribute to flash flooding and boggy soil conditions. Sustainable gardens always seek to slow down run off where possible. This can be achieved with Sustainable Urban Drainage installations such as green roofs, permeable paving, and seasonally flooding wetlands. 6. Collect rain water and store it
Sustainable gardens should seek to use as little water from the mains supply as possible. This means planning your garden with a need for minimum irrigation requirements. A good way to achieve this is choosing plants which are native to your climatic, region. This means they will be more adaptable to local conditions, soil type and rainfall. However it is amazing just how much water can be collected from roof gutters and hard surfacing. Create a sustainable water harvesting plan for your garden. This can include installing water butts to guttering and retention ponds for summer irrigation. 7. Grow native plants
The more you incorporate native plants into your garden the more sustainable it will be. Such plants are already adapted to your climate meaning they will require less personal care. Native plants also are more likely to benefit local wildlife making them a more ecological choice. If you don’t know what plants are native to you an internet search on a specific species will normally reveal their origin. 8. Add biodiversity
Just because a plant is not native to your area does not mean it isn’t good for local ecology. Very often foreign plants can be very good at providing food and shelter. A good example is the ‘Butterfly Bush’ or Buddleia. This shrub originates from South East Asia but is very popular across Europe and America for attracting butterflies. Such planting is often referred to as ecological planting within sustainable gardens. These can be species rich as long as they are suited to the climate and are not invasive. 9. Create a wildlife pond
As sustainable gardens seek to provide a healthy environment for nature attracting wildlife is essential. One of the most effective ways to reach this objective is by creating a wildlife pond. Wildlife ponds do not have to be that large to have a positive impact but the larger they are the better. Not only do wildlife ponds providing drinking and bathing opportunities for wildlife they also support their very own ecosystems. Aquatic wildlife and ecosystems can be extremely diverse and beneficial as a whole. Amphibians such as frogs and newts can help reduce garden pests such as slugs and snails. 10. Create a wildlife meadow
Mown and manicured lawns are extremely popular in modern gardens and for good reason. Lawns provide lush, green expanses of useable surfaces perfect for multiple activities. However frequently mown grass is not optimum for sustainable gardens. Mowing and strimming consumes large amounts of energy and gasoline engines contribute greatly to air pollution. Consequently the best way to manage grassland in a sustainable garden is with wildflower meadow. These can become a rich tapestry of wild grasses and flowers, beneficial to many wild species. Wildlife meadows can be cut up to twice a year providing hay for animal bedding or mulch. 11. Install bird & bat boxes
An unfortunate reality of many managed landscapes is they are too clean and tidy. Old trees and dense vegetation is cleared away which leaves no nooks and crannies for wildlife. In the past old farm buildings and standing dead trees would provide perfect nesting for bats and birds. Consequently there has been a dramatic reduction in these species in recent times. By installing bird and bat boxes in your garden you can help their numbers to recover. 12. Encourage beneficial insects
It is very common for people not to like too many creepy crawlies around them. However most of the time it is these insects which are the most beneficial to the garden. Hover flies, spiders, parasitic wasps and solitary bees are just some of what can be described as beneficial insects. This is because these species carry out many beneficial functions within the gardens ecosystem. The most notable of these include pest control and pollination. Many beneficial insects require specific nesting requirements like hollow tubes or specifically sized gaps. Create as many nooks and crannies in your sustainable garden to provide ideal nesting sites. Alternatively you can installinsect and bug hotels which come in a range of attractive designs. 13. Create hibernacula’s
Wild habitats untouched by civilisation are full of natural hiding places. This is because decades of natural process with death and decay lead to very diverse habitats. These provide the perfect places for wildlife to nest and hibernate. As many gardens are clean and tidy places it is a good idea to create hibernacula’s. Very simply these are mounds of soil, rocks and old vegetation which create safe hollows within the landscape. These can be formed into sculpted pieces of land art and seeded with meadow mixes. Alternatively they can simply be old pallets filled with rocks and covered with soil. Providing hibernacula’s is a great way to encourage small mammals like hedgehogs into your sustainable garden project. 14. Vegetate boundaries
Most gardens have some form of rigid boundary to their perimeter. These are typically around 6 feet tall and consist of timber fences or masonry. A great way to boost ecology in your garden is to vegetate these with plants. The easiest way to do this is with climbing plants trained up wires or trellis. However an even more elaborate way is to install modular green wall pockets. These can be planted up with herbs or even salad crops if they are well irrigated. Vegetating boundaries can boost wildlife, produce food, reduce run off and improve air quality. 15. Provide safe passage to wildlife
Garden fences and walls can create solid barriers between other gardens and landscapes. Sustainable gardening is all about recognising your site is a part of a wider ecosystem. Consequently it is a good idea to allow for safe passage of species across your garden. This can be done by creating fist sized holes to your boundary at ground level. This can be particularity beneficial to small mammals like hedgehogs which consume garden pests. 16. Start bee keepingSustainable gardens are all about working with nature and providing abundance. There is probably no better way to achieve this than by becoming a bee keeper. The great thing about bee keeping is benefitting from the collective foraging of honey bees over a large area. This means you get to harvest everyone else’s gardens! Your bees will fly around collecting pollen and nectar throughout the summer. The best way to get started with bee keeping is to read a book on the subject then join a local association. 17. Don’t use chemicals
Sustainable gardening is all about creating ecological balance and restoring ecosystems. The only way to do this is by not using chemical pesticides and herbicides. These can indiscriminately kill beneficial species which help to keep pests under control. Such chemicals can also break down into the ground contaminating soil and killing soil life. Hence if you are creating a sustainable garden try to facilitate a healthy ecosystem. A garden full of small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians will mean less pest species eating your plants! 18. Buy local
When buying any garden related products try to purchase from local suppliers. One of the biggest barriers to achieving sustainability today is carbon foot print. This is the total amount of carbon emissions for any given product, person or event. The more miles any product travels the higher the carbon foot print. Hence sustainable gardeners should seek to source all of their parts as locally as possible. 19. Don’t use single use plasticsIf there has been one environmental issue which has dominated in the past few years its single use plastics. These plastics typically used in packaging are easily carried by wind and can end up practically anywhere. Most noteworthy are the ones that end up in the ocean. Many look very similar to jellyfish and squid which subsequently become ingested by larger sea life. The most shocking revelations have been with microscopic plastic particles. These have been discovered pretty much everywhere including in our bodies. Therefore any sustainable garden project really should not use single use plastics. 20. Re-use old plastic pots
By far the most common single use plastic commodity for gardeners is plastic pots. The best way to deal with these is to reuse them many times over to reduce the need for new. By reusing existing pots as much as possible will keep them out of landfill and offset some of their negatives. 21. Use sustainable materials
Garden installations should be built with as sustainable materials as possible. This is not always easy but collectively can make a big difference. Natural stone paving is generally better than pre-cast, manufactured, concrete, paving. Any natural stone should be sourced from as local a quarry as possible however this is not always viable. With hard landscaping it is always best to build elements correctly and robustly. Natural stone from Brazil is not very sustainable, however if installed solidly could last a century! That is more sustainable than re-paving with new stone every 15 years! Obviously timber should be sourced ethically and have FSC Certification. 22. Reduce the use of concrete
The production of concrete currently produces 8% of global carbon emissions making it very bad for the environment. Hence sustainable gardens should try to reduce its use where possible. Gravels are much more ecological than cement based surfaces. Not only do gravels eliminate the need for concrete they are also permeable reducing surface run off. 23. Start a worm farm
Worm farms are a great way to break down vegetable waste quickly and convert it into rich fertiliser. This process is very similar to composting but the worms are capable of breaking down organic matter much faster. The worms break down the material by ingesting it and producing castings. These produce a very rich, dark coloured fertiliser and very good for growing vegetables. This makes having a worm farm the perfect way to recycle within a sustainable garden. 24. Boost soil ecology
Many people do not realise that topsoil has an ecosystem all of its own. Garden soil is very much alive with billions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, invertebrates and insects. These organisms are constantly breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients. A healthy soil ecosystem is essential for robust and healthy plants. The best way to boost soil ecology is to add a mulching layer to the surface. This will keep the soil moist, insulated and provide lots of nutrition for soil life. The more abundant your soil life is the more your sustainable garden will store carbon under the surface. 25. Sustainable composting
The ultimate way to create a sustainable garden is to recycle nutrients on site. The best way to do this is by composting all organic waste. This can be done in many different ways but the most typical method is a compost heap. This can simply be a heap of organic waster which is turned a couple of times a year to add oxygen. There are also compost tumblers which allow you to turn the material without the need for digging. You can vegetable waste from the kitchen, leaves, grass clippings and weeds to your compost heap. After a few months to a year you will be rewarded with the perfect compost ready to use in the garden.
Thank you for reading our article on how to create a sustainable garden. We are experts in all aspects of sustainable landscaping. Some typical examples of our sustainable garden services include:
Green walls Green roofs Permeable surfacing Sustainable urban drainage Wildlife garden design Habitat creation Nature reserve planning Wildlife gardens Wildflower meadows Edible landscaping Sustainable landscape architecture Please find an example of our sustainable landscape design below. The project design features a new nature reserve with both wildlife habitats and agroforestry.
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Morocco is a country with cultural influences as diverse as its landscapes. From the forested high Atlas Mountains to the scorching deserts of the Sahara, it is truly a place of diverse contradictions.
Situated to the northwest of Africa it is separated from Europe by a narrow slither of the Mediterranean Sea. Its geographic position means it has had Sub-Saharan, Arabic, Mediterranean and European influences throughout history. Such an array of cultural influences has led to a vibrant and intriguing design style. This is particularly the case with their landscapes and gardens. Moroccan gardens are revered around the world for their bright colours, romantic charm and striking beautify. In this article we will break down the history of Moroccan garden design and investigate what makes them so special. By examining their elements we will aim to discover how to create your very own Moroccan themed garden. History of Moroccan gardens
Up until a thousand years ago Morocco was populated by the indigenous Berber tribes. The Berbers existed in small clans consisting of farmers, traders and nomadic shepherds. However the Berbers at this time did not recognise Morocco as a collective state. Although the Berber tribes were Muslim they were not conventional followers of traditional Islam. Choosing not to follow the Holy Koran to the letter they followed a more liberal lifestyle. Even though Berber tribes did not make up a nation state they were a very sophisticated society. They would trade gold and other commodities with the rest of Africa and as far away as India and Europe. This kept Berber culture very open to external influences and culturally diverse.
However the amount of lucrative trading routes made rural and mountainous regions hazardous. Bandits and organised war parties were always ready to ambush and plunder merchant convoys.
This led to an emphasis on fortification and security when building settlements and surrounding landscapes. Not only did merchandise have to be protected but also the merchants themselves. Fortified walls were also built to protect water supplies, orchards and farmland. High walls would enclose towns and cities which had the added benefit of sheltering from strong desert storms. These enclosed spaces became hideaways and from the extremities of Morocco’s landscape. The concept of walled spaces rippled into most urban environments including homes themselves.
Courtyards or 'Riads' became cool, outside rooms which provided shade from the midday sun. They would also provide extra airflow through homes during periods of excessive heat. This led 'Riads' to be looked upon as even more of a sanctuary than the home itself.
This idea directly correlated to the philosophy of Islamic garden design. Gardens are seen to be the embodiment of paradise and represent the bounties provided by Allah. Islamic gardens are famous for their use of water in creating landscape oasis. This symbolism can be seen very clearly in desert watercourses where water brings whole valleys to life. Water
The success of Berber society had a lot to do with their excellent knowledge of the land. They were very successful engineers and mastered the art of directing water from the High Atlas Mountains. Many of the ancient Berber irrigation systems are still fully operational 1000 years after they were built. It was these irrigation systems that laid the foundation for successful agriculture and human settlements. In such a hot and arid landscape access to this water was of the upmost importance. This combined with Islamic influences it is no surprise that water takes centre stage in the Moroccan garden. 'Riads' would be planned with linear water channels which would help to cool surrounding buildings. More elaborate water features would include ponds and even water fountains. Fruit trees
Morocco being a hot and arid country has always had a culture with an emphasis on self sufficiency. Historical droughts and desertification engrained food production into their psyche. The vast landscape irrigation engineering projects of the past were also intended to aid crop production. Consequently Moroccan gardens typically feature fruit trees or plants you can use. Being blessed with lots of natural sunlight; figs, peaches, almonds, citrus and olives fruit and ripen very well. Hence any garden trying to recreate the Moroccan theme should aim to implement fruit trees. If you seek to recreate such a garden in a cold climate use microclimate provided by south facing walls. Creating an enclosed garden with four walls can help to grow more exotic species. Magical Morocco
Many who have attempted to summarise the Moroccan design style regularity repeat the word magical. This is not really a surprise or sensationalist as magic has deep roots within Moroccan culture. With historical influences from Africa, Europe and the Middle East there have been long standing traditions of magic. This has led to many superstitious practices to ward off the evil eye, bad spirits and genies. Many bright colours have been used for this reason including the painting of front doors the colour blue. Other design features such as pom poms and hand shaped door knockers were to ward off evil spirits. The design styles of Morocco are full of superstition and magic everywhere! Hence when designing a Moroccan garden, it is good to incorporate authentic products from the region. A region of handmade arts and crafts
If you ever walk down a narrow street in Marrakesh or through the souks you will see a hive of activity. Local trades people building ornate furniture and black smiths hammering down red, hot, metalwork. In a world of mass production and cheap products morocco specialises in the hand made. Centuries of arts and ancient skills go into some of the regions finest products and gardens. This adds so much interest to the Moroccan style and design aesthetic. Gardens can have large expanses of colour divided by extremely ornate carvings and patterned tile work. This aesthetic is extremely stimulating and interesting to the eye. When designing a Moroccan garden incorporating some traditional arts and crafts is essential. Colours
One thing which surprised me when I visited Morocco is how much it reminded me of India. Markets are full of piled up, radiantly coloured, spices and a hive of activity. The smell of incense fills the air and the streets are full of colour. One of the hall marks of Moroccan garden design is how they celebrate bold, bright, colours. This really displays the boldness of the traditional, expressive, spirit and cultural liberalism of the people. This is why Morocco has always been a magnet for artists, designers, writers and film makers. Hence if you are designing a Moroccan garden do not be afraid to be bold. This really is a style where you can be loud and embrace detail at the same time. Moroccan garden design really is open to the mixing of both modern and traditional styles. A summary of Moroccan garden design
Moroccan garden design is not one particular set of landscape design rules or features. They are a melting pot of various historical influences which have evolved over time. Most of the time, Moroccan gardens seek to build upon the concept of an outdoor room or courtyard space. With a central influence of Islamic design there is a celebration of water and Arabic decor. Moroccan gardens have a flavour of the Mediterranean and their planting reflects such. Palms, citrus, olives, Cactus and succulents are a common feature. However Moroccan gardens are a break from the ordinary celebrating bold forms and vibrant colours. Such gardens should be a place for outdoor living and relaxing with the people you love. The implementation of Moroccan décor can greatly enhance a garden design themes authenticity. Islamic style rugs, smoking tagines, brewing mint tea and Islamic music can greatly enhance the Moroccan, atmospheric experience. How to create a Moroccan gardenAs with any proposed garden design there is a process you must follow. This is no different with Moroccan gardens and your aim should be to discover the best scheme for you. Creating the perfect Moroccan garden is not about just making a beautiful scene. Your new garden must still satisfy all the functional needs you require from your garden. Write down all of the things you need and would like in your garden. Make a list of all the things you also want to keep. How do you move around or would like to move around the space? During this early stage of your design process it is good to do a SWOT Analysis. On a piece of paper list your gardens Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Constraints. This is a very enlightening process and will provide you a strategy for improving the garden as a whole.
Now spend time studying precedent images of Moroccan gardens you like. Pick out specific elements you love and think about how you can incorporate them into your design.
For instance, if you love the blue walls of 'Jardin Majorelle' think about how you could replicate this. Perhaps there is a bad view you want to block and a blue wall can screen it from view. Draw out a scaled plan of your garden and sketch out ideas over the top of it. You can use sheets of tracing paper so you do not clutter the plan with line work. Draw and cut out scaled elements you know you want and experiment by moving them around the plan.
Eventually a new and resolved plan will start to evolve. Don’t worry if you cannot do it all in one day this is a process! Sometimes it is good to leave the design project for a few days and go back to it with fresh eyes.
The most important thing is you enjoy this process! Below we have listed 10 Moroccan design Ideas you may wish to consider. 10 Moroccan garden design ideas
1. Create a courtyard space
Moroccan gardens are famous for their courtyards or 'Riad' spaces connected to the home. You may or may not be able to replicate this perfectly depending on where you live. However you can provide a courtyard feel by creating an enclosed space. This can be done by reworking boundaries or with implementing structures. Alternatively if you have space and the budget you can lay concrete foundations and build walls. These can be rendered, then painted or tiled for an Islamic effect. 2. Incorporate coloured render
If you already have brickwork or masonry in your garden you can always add to it. You can do this by extending it higher or wider as you need it. By rendering existing masonry with a smooth, external, mortar you can create a Moroccan effect. This can be painted any colour you like to add excitement and drama to your design. 3. Install a water feature
Most Moroccan gardens celebrate water in some form, if you wish to add such there are many options. Many Islamic gardens create sunken channels into paving providing a linear watercourse. This can be very effective but also impractical for many residential gardens. Alternatively you can include a formal pond or water feature. If you are limited for space simple water fountains with up lighters can be very effective. 4. Incorporate patterns and borders to pavingA great way to give an authentic Moroccan feel to conventional paving is to create patterning. This can be as elaborate as a mosaic or a rectangular border to paving. Such can be executed with a separate material with a dramatic contrast to the rest of the paving. A popular way to do this is lay a square border between the centre and the edge of the patio. This gives the surface a more Islamic courtyard feel to the whole space. Laying square pavers in a diamond formation is also a good way to provide a Moroccan feel. 5. Use Moroccan tiles
Certainly the best way to inject some authenticity to a Moroccan garden is by using traditional tiles. These can be integrated into patios to create rectangular borders and focal points. A great way to utilise such tiles is to clad external, garden, walls. These are really effective when laid in vertical sections and separated by expanses of coloured render. 6. Build raised beds
As many Moroccan gardens utilise enclosure this provides a great opportunity to incorporate raised beds. This could be to soften the edges of courtyard walls all the way round with planting. Raised beds running along the base of courtyard walls also can provide great seating. If you do not have the ability to build high walls well planted raised beds can provide the enclosure you need. 7. Create a desert garden
To really provide a Moroccan feel to your garden try to replicate its natural landscape. This can be done by creating an arid desert garden. You can create a arid feel by spreading gravel surfaces with sandy coloured rocks. Desert gardens can be planted with Mediterranean plants and succulents for a desert effect. Such landscaping can also add to the local micro-climate helping to heat up the space. This can be particularly helpful if you live in a cooler climate and want to grow exotic plants. 8. Plant fruit trees
A great way to maximise the Moroccan, garden, effect is to plant some fruit trees. If you have a sunny wall and your garden doesn’t get too cold in winter you have many options. Trees like Figs, Peaches, Citrus, Almonds and Pomegranates are all possible in such conditions. If you live in a climate that regularly gets below minus 5 then you can grow these in pots. This will give you the option to move them undercover during the winter months. 9. Plant tropical looking plantsYou do not need a hot climate to grow exotic looking plants for Moroccan themed gardens. There are plenty of hardy palms and even colder climate plants which do look tropical. This can provide you the opportunity to create a great scheme even in a cold climate. Most tropical looking plants will work well in a Moroccan garden. Check out our article on 50 exotic looking plants for temperate climates here. 10. Create a herb gardenTraditionally Moroccan gardens have always included a herb growing area. These herbs can be used in culinary dishes or to make herbal teas. Morocco is famous for its love of fresh mint tea served around meal time. Herbs such as Peppermint, Lemon balm and Bergamot make delicious teas during the summer months. The scent of these plants can also be enjoyed as you walk past the borders. Moroccan garden Accessories
As we have acknowledged already in this article there are so many ways to enhance Moroccan gardens. Once you have implemented your design and built your garden the real fun can start. Below we have listed and linked to a whole range of accessories to accompany your Moroccan garden. From cooking Tagines to mosaic tables and Moroccan, garden, decor, there are lots to discover! Moroccan lanterns
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