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Source carefully We have become used to instant gratification whenever we shop for our homes, with quick-fix makeovers being promoted for both house and garden. However gardens are not static: plants grow (and outgrow their spaces), plants self-seed and our use of the garden changes, for example as children grow up. Allowing your garden to evolve, alongside your gardening knowledge, gives you more time to research where plants and materials come from and to source these more carefully. When you shop in a farm shop or cook your own veg, you must choose from what is available, rather than setting out with a preconceived menu, regardless of the season or how far food has travelled. When designing a garden, try sourcing the components first, bringing together recycled materials and locally grown plants, then creating the garden around these - the end result will be both far more original and have a much smaller carbon footprint. The following ideas all reduce product miles and the impacts of intensive growing: Plant smaller plants, and allow them to establish themselves and grow into the space Learn how to grow from cuttings, seeds and division, rather than opting for large established plants Swap excess plants and seeds, rather than composting or binning They also all imply a move away from the quick fix of a trip to the garden centre and back towards a more traditional (and thrifty!) method of gardening. Plants grown locally are more likely to suit the climate where you live, but wherever you source plants from, be aware that they may bring unwelcome visitors with them, for example bugs, weeds and diseases such as sudden oak death. The following links may be helpful: www.freecycle.org Find a Freecycle group near you: keep an eye on listings for garden materials, plants, greenhouses etc, or post a 'wanted' ad if you have a particular request. www.ebay.co.uk Use ebay to source second hand materials and equipment, as well as plants, searching within 'location' to reduce product miles. Keep your eye on the local press for second hand materials & plant sales www.amazon.co.uk Use Amazon to source second-hand gardening books www.bbc.co.uk Overview of growing plants from cuttings, seeds and division www.theplantexchange.co.uk Use plant swapping websites such as the Plant Exchange to search for local plants (and sell your own) Better still, cultivate your own network of local gardening friends to swap seeds and plants with - and perhaps the odd cup of tea! blank back