Creating a nature friendly garden

It can capture carbon

Plants, trees and healthy soil can absorb carbon from the air and store it, helping to reduce the impact of emissions. Even small gardens can make a difference — especially if they include a variety of plants, lawns or wildflower.

Cut your grass less often

If you allow your grass to grow and cut it a little less often, it will actually improve the health of the soil and absorb more carbon, all whilst helping to support wildlife, bees and other pollinators. 

Find out why pollinators and other wildlife benefit from longer grass

Help reduce local flooding

When your garden has soil, plants and grass, it can absorb rainwater naturally. Conversely, areas that are covered with concrete or paving are unable to soak up water as easily, which can increase the risk of local flooding. Check out our rain garden advice below.

Find out more about flood risks of hard surfaces

A rain garden is a planted area that helps collect rainwater from roofs (using downpipes) as well as other hard surfaces, allowing the water to soak naturally into the ground. It works by temporarily holding water in a shallow dip, where it drains within a day or two and is absorbed by the soil and plants.

Rain gardens are suitable for most gardens with good drainage and a gentle slope. 

Helpful resources

Create your own Rain Garden - RHS

Trees are one of the most valuable additions you can make to your garden or shared green space. They provide shade during hot summers, shelter in wet weather and essential habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife. Choosing the right tree for the right place is key to ensuring it thrives and supports biodiversity for decades.

But before you purchase a tree, ask yourself some important questions:

• Whether you have enough space for the tree’s full canopy and root spread* 
• Whether it could interfere with your house, boundaries with neighbours, overhead lines or drainage 
• Whether it can be planted somewhere it won’t shade out your whole garden unintentionally

*Trees reach maturity at around 25% of their expected lifespan. That's that’s when they deliver the greatest environmental benefits.  

What do you want the tree to do? 

Consider what you want your tree for, because this will help you choose the right species for your garden. Are you looking to: 

• Add structure or height to your garden? 
• Attract birds, bees and insects to boost your garden's biodiversity?
• Grow your own fruit? 
• Create areas of shade during hot summers? 
• Help make wetter areas of the garden become drier?  
• Enhance privacy by using the tree to screen from roads or neighbours? 
• Absorb CO₂ and other air pollutants?

The right tree, in the right place

It's important to choose a tree species that suits Hart’s conditions. Most of the UK's native trees are well adapted to local soils and climate, meaning they could grow reliably in most gardens across Hart. 

If you’re considering non-native species, think carefully about: 

• Soil type
• Drainage
• Light levels
• Expected height and spread

Getting this right matters!

Your trees will provide the greatest benefits when they live long enough to become mature, because they will: 

• Absorb and store more carbon
• Support micro-organisms, mosses, lichens and fungi
• Provide food and shelter for a wide range of insects
• Attract more bird species and other wildlife
• Improve the air quality and reduce heat during extreme temperatures

Helpful resources

UK native tree species guide – Woodland Trust
Trees for smaller gardens - RHS plants
 

Did you know that without bees, UK farmers would have to pay out a whopping £1.8 billion to pollinate their crops*. But there's good news, you can help! Whether you have a garden, balcony, window box or a patio, you can create a welcoming place where bees can forage for food. Here are some top tips to get you started:

• Plant bee friendly flowers and add variety. It’s also a good idea to get plants that bloom at different times of the growing season, so bees have something to visit from early spring to late autumn and sometimes beyond.
• Choose nectar and pollen-rich plants, such as lavender, daisies and foxgloves. These are easier for the bees to access as they are open flowers.
• Create areas in your garden where bees can shelter when it is hot, cold or wet. Long grass, hedges and log piles are a good option. They also help provide homes for other insects such as beetles. 
• Where possible, avoid using any pesticides as these can be very harmful to bees and other pollinators
• It’s not just the birds who need water in the dry weather, bees do too. A shallow dish with some stones or a small pond gives the bees a safe place to drink. Please do ensure that there is either a slope, or sticks for the bees to climb out of, this prevents them from drowning.

Helpful resources

Make your own bee watering station - RHS

A beginners guide to bumblebee spotting - Hampshire County Council

Bees vs wasps what's the difference - Buglife.org.uk

* Woodland Trust