Living More Sustainably in Autumn

During Autumn the daylight becomes shorter and the temperatures are lower. Due to this you may find yourself turning on more lights within your home and keeping the heaters on for longer. It’s typical for us to do that but let’s keep in mind that being sustainable is relevant all year round.

So, here are some tips on exactly that! 

Sustainable Matters

Unplugging
Saving energy is the most common way of staying sustainable. During this time of the year the energy price will go up due to the amount of sources you will end up using to keep warm. Just unplug the things you aren't using, especially the electronic devices. Chargers could be plugged in and still draw power, even if the device isn’t on charge. Bringing up the electric bill and wasting energy. So, we suggest unplugging chargers and all electronics when not in use.

Keeping Cosy

We all want to keep cosy. This can also link into your energy bills, as we tend to gravitate towards putting the heating on as mentioned previously. So, maybe it’s time to start looking into something that would be of use and would also avoid rising bills but also keep you nice and comfortable. Below are just a few examples:

• Insulation - This isn’t something you usually think about during the warmer weather but can be a big help any time, especially during the colder seasons. Adding insulation to rooms, behind wall heaters and in the ceilings will help with both cold and hot weather. It lowers your energy bill as the temperature within your home will remain the same. So, no need for heaters being constantly on.

• Thermal Curtains - Thermal curtains, or thicker ones, can help insulate your windows by preventing the cold air from looming in and keeping the warmth inside. Having them drawn closed during the night will provide extra insulation.

• Door Draft Stoppers - Ever notice how most doors tend to have gaps, especially near the bottom? Well those little areas tend to let out the warm air you want to keep and let in the cold breeze. A door draft stopper is made specifically to be laid at the bottom of the doors to cover up those locations and to keep the chilly air out. I’d highly suggest investing in one. However, if you don’t have the money you could also just use a thick blanket, one you preferably don’t use, and put that near the bottom of the door. It works just as efficiently!  Door Draft Stoppers are Uber sustainable, you could make one like we do with off cuts of old materials, if you're up for the sewing challenge

Garden Work

We know it’s colder out and it seems cosier to sit at home curled up in blankets, with a nice warm drink and watching a movie or two but taking the time to move around daily and getting fresh air will help you during the cooler months. 

If you have a garden, spend some time getting it ready for the upcoming seasons. Autumn is the perfect time to plant many trees. Doing it around this time will give them enough time to develop a root system, deep within the ground, over the winter months, reducing their water needs during spring. 

Composting

If you didn’t know, there are a lot of things that you could use to create compost, especially during Autumn. Those pumpkins you use during Halloween? Instead of just throwing them away, you could roast the seeds and make a delicious snack! Pumpkin seeds are highly nutritious, containing fibre and essential nutrients such as magnesium and zinc. The rest of the pumpkin will compost down quite quickly, however if the pumpkin is on the thick side, then it will take a little longer to break down. So, it’s suggested you cut it into pieces if you want it to rot down quicker or disappear into the bulk of the compost. 

Now, Autumn is known for it’s falling leaves. Most people will add the fallen leaves to their garden chores by raking, bagging and throwing the leaves away. Adding to the waste piles. What most don’t know is that fallen leaves are good for your lawn. Dead leaves are part of the life cycle for plants and soil. Leaves are basically free compost from mother nature! Leaving leaf piles can cause the grass below to die, so it’s recommended to gather the leaves and then distribute them evenly throughout your garden. Leaves help a lot more than you think and can insulate the soil throughout the winter, protecting the life that thrives within the dirt below. 

Gardening

Long-Term Clothing

This is an overall good idea when purchasing clothing. You want to make sure it lasts and can be suitable for other weather types, or just to keep aside for Autumn without having to buy new clothing each year. You could even go through your current clothes that fit the season and upcycle them. Repair them in other words or if you don’t have the experience to do it yourself, you could always bring it into the Madia & Matilda store. We upcycle clothing too, and if you have a specific idea for how you want your clothes to look then we’d be glad to listen. 

Upcycle

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

An introduction to sustainable gardening

An introduction to sustainable gardening

Nicky Roeber is the Online Horticultural Expert for Wyevale Garden Centres, he got in contact with Madia & Matilda to share some insights for our readers & followers. Here, he outlines some ways in which you could be gardening in a more sustainable way.

At a time when we're all becoming increasingly concerned about environmental issues such as global warming and the plastic crisis, it's important to think about how our daily actions could be contributing to these problems. And, we're definitely making progress in this respect — in fact, according to Pinterest's latest report, sustainability is set to be a huge trend for 2019.

Eco-friendliness is something we should be factoring into everything from the foods we eat to the activities we partake in. For example, if you're a keen gardener, there are some steps you can take to ensure you're always doing this in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible. And I'm going to share some of my top tips for that here.

Use recycled pots and planters

In order to live more sustainably, it's vital that we all generally buy less and buy better. So, if you currently don't have enough pots and planters to create the garden of your dreams, consider trying to source these second hand. Car boot sales, markets, and charity shops are all great places where you're likely to find pre-loved but perfectly good plant pots. And, if you're feeling creative, you could even create your own using recycled or salvaged materials.

If you're struggling to find the types of planters you're after, you can always buy some brand new ones. Opting for natural versions like those made from bamboo, or metal styles that are going to last for years, is a great idea. As long as you’re planning to use them permanently, you could also pick out some plastic pots, as they are particularly durable. Just make sure you dispose of them in the most eco-friendly way possible if you do ever need to get rid of them.

It’s also worth remembering that you should always look to buy plants that come in sustainable temporary packaging, too. This will help to increase your green gardening credentials even further.


Give composting a go

It's a great idea to give composting a go if you're generally looking to live more sustainably, as it offers a great way of transforming your kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich food for your plants and crops. And, as explained in the guide to composting that you can find on the Wyevale Garden Centres website, composting your household waste not only cuts down how much rubbish you're sending to landfill, but it will also help to reduce your greenhouse emissions.

When composting, you should aim for a mix of 50% green and 50% brown waste. And, you should be able to use your compost within nine months to a year of beginning the process.

Take some steps to conserve water

According to The Guardian, at peak demand, up to 70% of our water supply can be used on looking after our gardens. So, when you're looking to make your outdoor hobby more sustainable, taking steps to conserve water is a great idea. There are a number of ways in which you can do this.

Firstly, by making a real effort to look after your soil, you shouldn't have to water your plants as much. Instead, you can add organic matter to your soil to improve its structure and help it to retain water more easily. Additionally, placing mulch in your flowerbeds and hanging baskets will help to prevent moisture from evaporating during dry spells.

You can also help to keep your plants hydrated without wasting water by checking whether they need it beforehand. To do this, inspect the soil about a spade's length below the surface. If this is still damp, you should be able to hold off for a while.

Plant and propagate food scraps

I've already explained how you can use your food scraps to make nutrient-rich compost, but you can also repurpose some of your kitchen waste by planting and propagating it. Carrots, lettuce tomatoes, and herbs can all be grown quite easily if they get the right amounts of sunlight and water.

If growing vegetables from food scraps is something you're interested in, make sure you check out Food Revolution's guide, which explains what kinds of foods you can do this with, and what kinds of conditions they all need.

Opt for organic

You might already buy organic vegetables from the supermarket, but have you considered taking an organic approach to looking after your own garden? This can apply to everything from looking after your soil to the way you control pests and weeds.

As previously mentioned, composting is a great way to provide your plants with all of the nutrients they need, but it will also ensure you're doing this in the most organic way possible. Just make sure that all of the food waste you put into your bin comes from organic vegetables.
You can also control weeds naturally by spreading a blanket of bark mulch, leaf mould, or composted straw across your soil. This will help to prevent pesky weeds from growing and breaking through the surface. You can also help to control pests by making your garden a haven for wildlife that will take care of them for you. Hedgehogs and toads will deal with slugs and snails, while ladybirds have a big appetite for greenflies. So, installing bug boxes and creating homes for these little creatures will work to your advantage.

Sustainability is becoming a growing concern for most gardeners, as we're all becoming more aware of the impact our actions can have on the environment. But, if you take these tips on board, you should be able to carry on with your gardening hobby in an eco-friendly way.