My weekend was spent sifting and clearing  through the winter plant debris and brambles in my garden, whilst thinking about this years plan.  A decision was made,  I will be growing as much food for my family and visiting wildlife this year.

I  planted  out root bound containerised fruit trees  into  my orchard.  I repotted  on birch trees to make multistemmed  specimens.  I  planted out  a new border.   I drank coffee, and sat on my bench in the sunshine, it was perfect apart from one thing…

It really made me  think about  the amount of plastic I use in my garden.  I stacked up the containers as I worked through jobs, it was quite shocking.  I can see ways of reusing  the majority, particularly for growing my tomatoes and cucumbers this summer,  however I am fully intent on buying no more plastic containers for use in my garden.

021This container (yes it is plastic) came via  my Dad’s.  I think I will  plant  it with a link to cooking fish,  so dill, basil, chives, marjoram and mint will be grown.

027I really liked how the grape hyacinths reflected in the chair (yes, sadly plastic again)

030It is not all bad news.  I was given this weld mesh a few years ago, it makes the best plant support, I wove a rambling rose through it today,  it will also support my french beans later in the year.

As you garden this year, think about the amount of plastic you are using, and ways you could try to reduce and reuse it.