Sustainable landscaping

Eco-friendly solutions to boost property appeal

First impressions and kerb appeal count, especially in the busy and sought-after London market, and your outside space will also reveal a lot about the inside of your property. But it’s no longer just about making sure the grass is cut and the weeding has been done – in fact, a pristine lawn can be a turn-off when it comes to sustainability. Instead, eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping solutions can add further appeal to prospective buyers and renters who are looking to buy greener. When you consider that homes are estimated to account for around 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK it’s easy to see why buyers are getting more eco-conscious.

Get creative with reclaimed, flood friendly paving ideas

Re-use is one of the most eco-friendly landscaping options of all. Cut newly felled trees into slices to make an eco-friendly footpath or line paths or borders with reclaimed bricks or rocks and stones dug up from the garden for added interest. According to the RHS a quarter of homes have a hard paved garden space which can lead to increased flood risk and In London this number is even higher with two-thirds of London’s front gardens wholly or partially paved over to create much needed off-street parking. For this reason try to limit hard paving to reduce flood risk or use gravel or stones that help with drainage.

Fence off your property with hedges

Although they will take more looking after, hedges can create more eco-friendly boundaries between properties. As well as helping to absorb pollution, they provide a haven for wildlife.  Evergreen hedging works best for urban gardens in the capital. The hedges may need a little more maintenance, but the rewards will be worth it.

Choose plants that reduce pollution

Certain plants can help to filter pollution. Shrubs that have hairy, scaly, waxy or rough leaves are the best at collecting such pollutants, with the Cotoneaster franchtii at least 20% more effective than other shrubs, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. This is particularly useful for London properties that may be close to busy roads.

Avoid water wastage

For those summer days when it’s not chucking it down with rain, buyers and renters want to know that it’s easy (and cheap) to water their gardens or outdoor plants. An irrigation system will take the hassle out of it completely, but a water butt can also do the job of being more eco-friendly with outside water usage.

Go wild

Although we are talking about landscaping, don’t be afraid to make a feature out of a spot created specifically for local wildlife. It might be a patch you’ve dedicated to wildflowers which not only looks great but helps attract pollinators and is easy to plant with seeds from the specialists such as Small Plot Seeds, a nesting spot for bees or a garden pond for watery wildlife. All will bring much-needed wildlife to your outside space.

Plan your planting blooms

Planning your blooms to ensure that something is always in flower not only helps your outside space to look stunning whatever time of year you are looking to sell or rent out your property, but also ensures pollinators spend the most time they can in your outdoor space. Gardener’s World has some great ideas for year-round garden interest.

Plant with resilience in mind

On a similar note, a sustainable garden relies on planting resilient options in the first place, rather than going through the wastefulness of constant replanting – something you especially don’t want to be doing if you own a rental property. This easier option will also be attractive to new buyers and renters since it suggests an easy-to-maintain outside space.

Upcycle old items for furniture or pots

There’s no end to the creativity you can unleash when looking to add a little extra eco-friendly character to your outdoor space. An old wheelbarrow or leaky watering can act as a fun plant pot, or you can upcycle an old wooden bench with a fresh lick of paint. Not only is it minimal cost, but you’ve given a second lease of life to what would otherwise be a scrapped item – and you can’t get much more eco-friendly than that.

Here at ludlowthompson we have 30+ years of experience selling London properties and know the importance of sustainability when it comes to owning a home. We’ve also seen an eco-friendly garden or two. Chat to an expert at your local branch today, to find out more.