The RHS have updated the climate change pages on their web-site with excellent information about how gardens are already being affected by climate change and possible future scenarios.
Much of this information was first highlighted in the horticultural paper entitled “Gardening in a Global Greenhouse” which inspired me to set up this web-site.” This was originally published seven years ago in 2002 with the support of the RHS,National Trust, Kew Gardens,English Heritage, Forestry Commmission, DEFRA and UK Climate Impact Programme (UKCIP).
http://www.globalgardening.org/uploads/pdf/climate_summary.pdf
I am impressed by how the RHS manages the sustainability of its own gardens.It uses organic composts, little or no regular fertiliser and composting is a core part of its soil husbandry. Water conservation is a major issue as well and at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, water extraction has been reduced by 40 percent.
Getting your own house and garden in order is a wise move but, as the UK’s leading horticultural charity, I would like to see the RHS do more to encourage Garden Centres to be greener. Whenever I walk round a garden centre, I am dismayed by the lack of “green” awareness - particularly in relation to water usage in the garden.
With its roots firmly in the soil, the horticultural industry should lead by example on how to live a more environmentally aware existence. The RHS could challenge the industry with a Green Award for the Garden Centre that does the most to encourage greening up our act in the garden.
What are your views on garden centres? Do you have a “green” garden centre near where you live?
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 am
Even in The North East of England, water conservation is increasingly becoming an important issue. Gardeners just do not have the same knowledge of irrigation and water storage as you gardeners down south. You have learnt to treat water with the care that it deserves. Im so pleased the RHS are practicing good methods of water conservation also.