Garden trends: How can regenerative gardening impact your outdoor space?

Adapting to new challenges and ever-changing technology, garden design trends evolve every year to incorporate the latest crazes and important messages. Nowadays, homeowners are focusing on creating liveable outdoor spaces not just for themselves, but for the surrounding wildlife as well.

In recent years, a focus on sustainability, particularly for outdoor spaces, has become key in the gardening industry. As people become more conscious of their environmental impact, they are looking for ways to make their gardens not only beautiful but also ecologically beneficial.

According to Clare Matterson, Director General of the RHS, “the UK’s 30 million gardeners hardly conform to type, but issues of sustainability unite this difference”, suggesting that there is a shift that focuses on how plants and gardening techniques affect the overall environment. This increasing awareness has led many homeowners to reconsider their gardening practices and adopt methods that not only enhance the aesthetics of their gardens but also contribute positively to the environment.

When asked, the majority of British homeowners believed that sustainability is extremely important when designing a garden (45%):

How important is sustainability to you when making decisions about your garden?

Using organic survey findings, we’ll take a look at regenerative garden techniques, the British public’s thoughts, and how sustainability may impact the future of garden design.

Regenerative gardening focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity by incorporating natural ecological processes. The goal is to leave the garden and its soil in better condition over time, reducing reliance on chemicals and increasing resilience against climate change.

When surveyed, the majority of respondents were familiar with regenerative gardening (80%) and correctly identified its most important benefit: improving soil health while preserving nutrients and reducing soil erosion.

Have you heard of regenerative or sustainable gardening?

Unlike traditional gardening, which often prioritises visual appeal over environmental impact, regenerative gardening encourages long-term sustainability by supporting soil life, enhancing plant health, and creating thriving ecosystems.

This growing understanding highlights the shift in mindset among UK homeowners towards more environmentally friendly gardening practices. However, a smaller portion of respondents admitted they were unsure about the concept, indicating that more education and awareness are needed to encourage wider adoption of these practices.

Key practices of regenerative gardening

The main focus of regenerative gardening is preserving the soil’s health. Beneath the surface, roots and soil microbes work together, allowing plants to access nutrients and water efficiently. To support this delicate ecosystem, regenerative gardening embraces a no-dig approach, which avoids disturbing soil life while promoting carbon sequestration.

Putting this technique into place can be done in several easy ways, many of which homeowners are already familiar with:

Which gardening practices do you currently use or would use in the future?

Composting emerged as one of the most popular sustainable gardening techniques among survey respondents, with 16.8% already using composting methods or considering them for the future. This regenerative gardening technique enriches soil with essential nutrients, enhances water retention, and reduces household waste by recycling organic matter into valuable fertiliser.

One great way to incorporate this into your garden design is to use composite decking boards to create composting bins or planters. Planters are also a great idea for cross-pollination for different species of flowers – ideal for not just adding vibrant pops of colour in the garden, but also for preserving and encouraging wildlife.

Another widely acknowledged practice is habitat creation, where 18% of homeowners leave deadwood, leaves, and rubble in their gardens to attract beneficial invertebrates. This method supports natural pest control, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and creating a balanced ecosystem that encourages biodiversity.

Though this is a good option, it’s important to ensure that safety is prioritised as well. Using wooden decking may attract insects, causing faulty boards and potential safety hazards.

Millboard composite decking is completely wood-free, making it highly resistant to moisture, pests and decay. Made from a mineral resin composite and surfaced with a unique Lastane® layer, our composite decking boards offer a durable solution.

For more information, contact the Millboard team today!

Survey findings revealed that a significant number of homeowners are already engaging in at least one of these regenerative gardening techniques, with many planning to introduce additional methods in the future.

Sustainability is a key consideration for many homeowners when designing their outdoor spaces. When asked, the majority of homeowners (74%) would consider changing their garden design to include the aforementioned sustainable practices:

Would you consider changing your garden design to include sustainable and regenerative practices?

Though the purpose of this technique is to improve the soil’s health, there is no reason why it should completely change how you design your outdoor space. Consider combining these sustainable practices, such as preserving greenery and planting cover crops, whilst also embodying modern technological advancements.

For your next decking project, Millboard has a decking configuration tool to understand the dimensions of the composite decking, where to use this, and how it can interact with the rest of the space. Use our decking configuration tool here.

As more homeowners embrace regenerative gardening, they are also reconsidering their choices when it comes to landscaping materials, including decking. A shift towards sustainability means that traditional timber decking is often replaced by alternatives such as composite decking.

Composite decking is becoming a popular choice due to its environmentally friendly composition, as it is commonly made from recycled materials and plastics. Unlike traditional timber, which requires chemical treatments and regular maintenance to prevent rotting and warping, composite decking offers a long-lasting and low-maintenance solution.

Additionally, its resistance to moisture and insects makes it particularly suitable for gardens prioritising regenerative practices, as it does not introduce harmful chemicals into the environment.

In the survey, 15% of respondents agreed that sustainability is an important factor in choosing a decking material:

What factors are the most important to you when choosing decking materials?

However, how the decking affects the environment seems less important than other factors, including the durability of the board and overall cost. There is still some uncertainty about incorporating eco-friendly practices into an outdoor space, and it seems to be a secondary concern.

To create a durable outdoor space, Millboard offers an excellent solution with its composite decking collections, which are designed to provide a high-performance alternative to traditional wood while minimising environmental impact. These boards use a unique mineral resin composite with some recycled materials.

Browse our composite decking collections below:

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Millboard decking complements regenerative gardening efforts by reducing the need for chemically treated wood, which can leach harmful substances into the soil. By choosing composite decking, homeowners can create outdoor spaces that support biodiversity while enjoying the practical benefits of a resilient and attractive decking solution.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our sustainability plan, please contact the Millboard team today!

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