Top nature-friendly things to do in the garden

Following the first ever Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival, we’ve rounded up a few smart ways to garden more gently with nature in mind. Garden designer and broadcaster, Arit Anderson shares her nature-friendly gardening tips, while Sarah Mead, Owner of Yeo Valley Organic Garden, shares ideas for your lawn…

1. Feed the soil - feed the garden 

Do your garden a big favour and show your soil some love.  A healthy, living soil is a gardener’s best friend, so please treat it with respect! Add compost or mulch to your borders or patch to avoid too much digging. The worms, bugs and micro-organisms will thank you for it and do the hard work for you, creating the perfect growing conditions for your plants.

 2. Go peat-free 

Peat bogs are incredible carbon stores, vital habitats and a key to tackling climate change. Switching to peat-free compost is a simple yet powerful way to protect them. There are lots of brilliant alternatives out there that will keep your plants thriving. Look out for Soil Association or RHS-approved products and give peat a miss – it’s better for the planet and your garden won’t mind one bit!

3. Water wisely 

Water is a precious resource, especially during dry spells, so it makes sense to use it wisely. Install water butts and tanks to collect rainwater, mulch your borders to lock in moisture, and choose drought-tolerant plants that can cope with a bit of summer heat. If you need to use mains water, try spot-watering plants – there’s no need to drench the whole garden. A few simple tweaks can make a big difference, helping your garden stay green while keeping water use to a minimum.

4. Pick the right plants 

Choose plants that are naturally suited to your garden’s soil, aspect and microclimate – they will thrive with far less effort. The old mantra “right plant, right place” sticks around for good reason: it’s the simplest way to create a resilient, low-maintenance garden that looks great and works well with nature.

5. Create a buzz 

Turn your garden into a haven for wildlife by making space for nature to settle in. Leave a few wild corners, build a bug hotel or log pile, fill your borders with pollinator-friendly plants, and give the pesticides a miss. You’ll be surprised who shows up when you make your garden a little wilder.

6. Think ahead 

A good garden works with nature, not against it. Pick natural or sustainable materials where you can, opt for planting instead of paving, and create shady spots to keep things cool. Think ahead about how plants will grow over time, to allow your garden to evolve. With a bit of thought now, you’ll end up with a space that’s not just beautiful but works well for both you and the planet.

7. Give the mower a break

We all love a good lawn, but it doesn’t need to be bowling-green-perfect all season long. At Yeo Valley, we’re big fans of letting the grass grow a little longer during the warmer months. Whether you reduce mowing in the spring and summer, swap a patch for wildflowers, dig in a veg plot, or create a new border – small changes can make a big difference. You can even mow a path through the middle – it keeps things tidy while showing the space is cared for. You’ll save time, support wildlife and bring some colour and interest into your garden. By taking a little bit of lawn away, you can actually make your garden feel bigger and better!