Page 40 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2023

Sustainability
KELVIN MASON
I have touched on this topic in previous magazines but thought I would give
a more in-depth article as it is still a very important topic that needs more discussion and action considering the likely effects of climate change and our politicians seem to be making no progress in actually doing anything.
What is sustainability? The United Nations defined it in 1987 as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Put another way we need to care more about future generations and not deplete the earth of its resources, flying off to another planet is not an option yet! Sustainability is key to the future of the planet and all its living creatures and by adopting sustainable practices it will help to reduce the affects of climate change; it is up to us all!
Sustainability is not about following the consumer society and living off shrinking resources, do we really need all the new clothing, gadgets, and items we buy, could we not live good lives without them? I hope many of you are living sustainable lives, but I will give a range of options that everyone could do which will help the planet.
One good thing to come out of the energy crisis is reduced energy use with less heating oil, gas, electric and fuel for cars being used. This not only reduces consumption but also less greenhouse gases therefore likely to slow down climate change which is a good thing.
We have covered recycling in previous issues so I will not dwell
Drought damaged Euonymus alatus
many of the commercial growers have reduced the areas they are planting or are planting later to reduce the heating bills.
on this other than before
throwing anything away see
if you can find another use
for it. Reducing our use of
resources is important so
before buying anything for
the garden or elsewhere
ask if you really need it and
will you make full use if it.
Where possible use second
hand or reclaimed materials
such as railway sleepers,
other recycled timber, recycled bricks for paving, second hand or broken paving slabs.
Try to use local materials where possible as this reduces the carbon footprint, consider growing your own bean poles or even bamboo canes (it saves importing from China, leave it for the pandas!). Keep an eye on what neighbours and local businesses throw away, it is amazing what can be obtained from skips!
Using energy to heat greenhouses and polytunnels is now unsustainable, even
Have any members tried using solar panels or wind generators to produce electric to heat their greenhouses? If so, has
it been a success, please write and tell us how you got on?
Looking more at the garden and growing when watering use harvested rainwater of which there seems to be plenty about
this last winter (at the time of writing it has rained all day for 3 out of the last 5 days). Collect the water in water butts or tanks, keep covered and use when required. It saves using treated tap water and will save money if on a water meter. Do not use sprinklers which are very wasteful of water as much of the water lands on areas where there are no plant roots. Use either watering cans or a handheld directed hose pipe, or better still drip or trickle irrigation as these apply water directly to the root area and use low quantities of water but
Try to use local materials where possible as this reduces the carbon footprint
Making leaf mould
sufficient for the plant. Water is going to become more valuable in the future so prepare now to ensure you have plenty.
I have mentioned mulching and adding organic matter to the soil to help improve the soil structure and water holding capacity in previous magazines so will not repeat it here other than to say add as much organic matter as possible to your soil.
Fertiliser costs have increased significantly in the last two years and are
40 Simply Vegetables