Climate change is having a profound impact on gardens in the UK, and as a garden furniture company, we have a vested interest.
Global warming is real. Sea levels are rising. Glaciers and polar ice are melting. We are at a tipping point!
It is altering traditional gardening practices and affecting plant health, biodiversity, and water consumption.
However, as gardeners and garden lovers, we can adapt and mitigate these effects by adopting sustainable practices.
In this article, we want to take a detailed look at the impact of climate change on UK gardens and explore the actionable solutions we can all take in 2025.
What are the impacts of climate change on UK gardens?
Climate change is real folks. It is not a scam as some in positions of greater power than you and we would have you believe.
We are seeing long-term changes in global and regional climate patterns, largely attributed to the damage we have done; such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
These activities increase global greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, all of which is leading to a global average surface temperature rise.
Evidence for this and the impact on our gardens include:
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Rising Temperatures
We are seeing milder winters and longer, hotter summers, leading to increased pests, diseases, and heat stress on plants. We are seeing longer growing seasons, which can be beneficial, but can also disrupt the planting schedules of traditional/native plants. -
Extreme Weather Events
We are seeing an increase in storms, flooding and droughts, both here in the UK and worldwide. Summer water shortages and hose pipe bans put stress on plants and make irrigation critical. Heavy rainfall and waterlogged soil on the other hand will damage plant roots and wash away nutrients. High winds are more common, wreaking havoc by causing structural damage to gardens, and especially trees. -
Shifting Plant Hardiness
In the UK, plant hardiness is categorised using a system developed by the Royal Horticultural Society. This system is tailored to our specific climate conditions and is based on the ability of plants to survive the coldest temperatures in winter. The classification ranges from H1 (tender, requiring heated conditions) to H7 (very hardy). Traditional UK plants such as heathers or bluebells may struggle, while Mediterranean or subtropical species like palms or olive trees may thrive. Iconic British lawns are becoming harder to maintain too. -
Biodiversity Loss
Changing habitats and weather patterns are also having a significant impact on pollinating insects, birds, and other wildlife, which in turn is reducing biodiversity. Non-native invasive species may thrive, resulting in them outcompeting our native plants and animals. -
Soil Degradation
Intense rainfall erodes topsoil, depleting nutrients and reducing soil fertility. Climate change is seeing big increases in our soil CO2 Levels, and while carbon dioxide can help promote plant growth, it can also stimulate faster growth in invasive weeds.
As gardeners what can we do to address climate change?
As garden enthusiasts, both of a green-thumbed persuasion and those who just like to spend time in them, we have to be concerned about climate change.
It is already having a significant impact on our gardening practices, be it on plant health or on the wider environment. Plus, these changes are only expected to intensify, too, which requires us to adapt and be more proactive.
Here at Lazy Susan, many of us have been implementing the following strategies in our own gardens and the wider local community here on the south coast:
1. Water Management
Harvesting rainwater was something we highlighted back in 2022 in our How do you best conserve water in your garden? article. We can use water butts to collect and store rainwater for irrigation. Install drip irrigation systems to minimise water waste by delivering water directly to plant roots. We can also choose native drought-resistant plants that require less water and apply organic mulch to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool.
2. Soil Health
By composting, we are not only recycling house and garden waste, we can enrich our soil and reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers. We can plant more perennials as their deep roots stabilise soil and store carbon effectively.
3. Climate Resilient Planting
By growing a more varied mix of native and climate-adapted plant species, we can build greater garden resilience. Plant trees for better shade and create natural windbreaks with hedging to protect gardens from storm damage and provide wildlife habitats.
4. Encourage Biodiversity
We need to make our gardens more wildlife-friendly. Include pollinator plants, wildflower meadows, and insect hotels. Avoid pesticides and use natural predators or companion planting to control pests and diseases. A pond or water feature is a simple way we can provide a water source for birds, insects, and amphibians.
5. Climate-Conscious Design
There are many landscaping changes we can also make, such as replacing hard paving with gravel or permeable materials that improve drainage. By raising flower beds we can help prevent water-logging and green roofs on sheds or garden buildings are a fab way to absorb rainfall and promote biodiversity.
6. Resource Efficiency
We can reduce our carbon footprint by using energy-efficient gardening tools and solar-powered outdoor lighting. Look at ways we reuse, recycle, and repurpose materials like old wood. Little changes like using local suppliers and choosing native plants can go a long way.
7. Community Gardening
We are active in community gardening in our local area. By collaborating with local groups, we can create and improve our shared green spaces and resources. By using our platform and writing articles such as this, we can hopefully share sustainable gardening practices with others.
Our final thoughts…
Adapting gardens to a changing global climate system will ensure their beauty and functionality for future generations.
Sustainable gardens can become a sanctuary for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife and, by gardening more sustainably, we are helping contribute to reducing overall global greenhouse gas emissions.
While climate change presents challenges to UK gardens, it also offers us the opportunity to rethink and innovate traditional gardening practices. By adopting climate-conscious methods, we can reduce our environmental impact, create resilient landscapes, and ensure that our gardens thrive.
Each small action we take contributes to a larger effort to combat, and hopefully, reverse climate change. Here at Lazy Susan, we think our gardens can be a powerful tool in improving our sustainability.
If you have our patio furniture in your garden, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign. For each photo we receive, we’ll donate to one of our charity partners or plant trees via Tree Nation. All you need to do is tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.
