Ethics & Values
The Four Peas
People
On average in the UK nearly eighteen million working days are lost each year to work-related stress, depression and anxiety. This figure is increasing year on year as our busy lives place greater and greater demands and pressure on our time, focus and families.
The recent pandemic and the following lockdown, whilst difficult, has been a period of reflection for many, and has prompted an introspective look at what is and isn't important in our lives. Where once we might have prioritised how close we lived to a Pret A Manger, people of all ages are now looking to move away from city centres, given a renewed appreciation for space, privacy, and nature.
In London, space is at a hefty premium, but out West, we are lucky to have our gardens. Gardens are living spaces, a piece of nature where we can breathe easy and uncouple from the vibrations of busy life, even just for a few minutes at a time.
At Green & Handy, I understand this. I look at the whole picture, and see gardens as sanctuaries that require care and attention, where the focus should not just be on how a patch of land should look and function, but on how your corner of the world should make you feel.
Planet
We all know that we should separate the rubbish, recycle, and try to use less plastic. But man-made climate change is about more than just the products we use and the carbon impact of our day to day life. How we grow our fruits and vegetables and how we rear livestock is just as important.
Globally, inorganic methods of the mass production of food are destroying arable topsoil. It takes around one thousand years to generate just three centimetres of topsoil, which is necessary for the growth of 95% of our food. But with over-farming, soil degradation will result in soil that can no longer support growth in just sixty years.
Peat production, which is a major ingredient in most commercial composts releases over ten million tonnes of carbon dioxide in the UK alone. That's 3% of our annual emissions.
Inspect populations, which we rely on for pollination, both ecologically and economically, are declined to alarming levels as a result of pesticides and the destruction of natural habitats in favour of urbanisation.
Lawns and fences, whilst held in high esteem by our Victorian forebears, do very little for the wildlife.
At Green & Handy, I will always offer my services in a responsible, environmentally positive way. Not just seeking to minimise further damage, but to help rebuild habitats for bees, insects and local wildlife. Where possible, materials will be sourced locally, and only ecologically friendly fertilisers, weed removal, lawn feeds and pest management methods will be used. I only provide peat-free composts, and wildflower patches and pots can be sown free of charge to provide support for our key workers - the great pollinators.
Pets
Man's best friend, our lockdown companions, and the givers of so much love and joy. For these members of our family, the garden is just as important a place of health and wellbeing as it is for us. They may only see the world from knee height, but a garden is a daily adventure of sights, sounds and smells that provide much-needed stimulation and relief from increasingly long periods indoors.
That being said, the modern garden can often be an obstacle course of unseen hazards for our pets. For example, there are a dozen or so common British plants found across our backyards, that if eaten can poison your cat or your dog. For an adventurous puppy, every twig and berry is an exciting snack.
Dogs in particular are explorative and territorial in equal measure, and it doesn't take much for Fido to jump the fence or dig under it to escape, sometimes with tragic results. Making a garden pet safe is important, but must also be balanced against the needs of wildlife.
At Green and Handy, I always focus on the environmental impact of decisions. A totally sealed garden may offer peace of mind that your dog can't dig his way out with ease but may prevent hedgehogs from being able to move from yard to yard in search of food and mates. A garden devoid of any flowers or fruits may be low maintenance, but provides no space for birds to roost, hunt and feed. Often there are ideal solutions that benefit all. I'll find them.
Plants
When it comes to plants, almost all of us are guilty of picking whatever we think will look nicest in the bare patch of corner soil. But what looks best and what is best for your garden are often two different things.
The introduction of invasive species, whether plants, animals, birds or insects, even just in your garden, can threaten the biodiversity of the whole ecology. Indeed, it is a criminal offence to plant or cause to grow invasive, non-native species in the wild, with 60% of these plants coming from horticulture. Under regulations, you are required to control any on your land, and for 36 species, you need to take steps to remove them.
At Green & Handy, I can help you identify problem plants, and if needs be keep them at bay, remove them, and replace them. In the future, I can help you make informed choices when looking to bring new tenants to the garden, with a view not only to what will look best, but what will flower and when, and what will provide the most value to your local wildlife.