Design for life

Greener growing is relevant to all aspects of gardening and we can do it better, says Marian Boswall, if we take a step back to see whether our space is organised to help the environment

- Marian Boswall

Marian Boswall is a leading landscape architect, who focuses on how gardening can protect the planet and help us. She is part of our Growing Greener Campaign panel of experts

Greener facts

• Concrete is said to be responsible for 4-8% of the world’s CO2
• Concrete making comprises almost a 10th of the world’s current industrial water use

‘Design’ can seem complicated, but it simply means ‘to mark out’. By taking time to plan our gardens sustainably we can ensure that we are working with nature; saving resources; protecting what we have and looking after ourselves.

We each have billions of different bacteria and fungi living on our bodies, more than there are people on the planet, so we are part of nature before we even step outside! To take care of the planet we must first take care of ourselves, which means thinking about how we want to live. We know exercise is good for the body and stillness is good for the spirit, so however big or small our space we can plan for both, leaving room to work and to watch what is happening in the garden.