Climate-conscious garden design is an approach to landscaping and gardening that focuses on sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and adapting to our local conditions.
It involves choosing native plants, materials, and techniques that work in harmony with the natural ecosystem, conserve resources, and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
We touched on the sustainable garden in last month’s What is the impact of climate change on UK gardens? article, and in that we highlighted it as one of the ways we can address the climate crisis by stating:
“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.”
Why do we need a sustainable garden?

Designing our gardens to be more sustainable and climate-conscious is essential because our gardens, though seemingly small in the grand scheme of things, can play a very big role in addressing global environmental challenges.
Here are the key reasons why the Lazy Susan team think this shift is necessary here in the UK:
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Carbon Footprint
Sustainable gardens can act as a "carbon sink" and absorb more CO₂ from the atmosphere than they release. Simple practices such as organic gardening, composting organic matter, and planting more trees minimise our chemical use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. -
Climate Extremes
In the UK we’re seeing an increase in high winds, heavy rainfall, and summer heatwaves as a direct result of climate change. Climate-conscious gardens are more resilient to extreme weather events and we are seeing a focus on drought tolerance, heat tolerance, wind protection, cold tolerance, and flood resistance. -
Preservation
We must use less water and protect soil health, whilst keeping our gardens thriving. A sustainable garden prioritises water-saving and reducing soil erosion and soil degradation via techniques such as mulching and no-till beds and borders. -
Biodiversity
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds are vital for food production and garden health. Climate-conscious gardens provide habitats and food sources for these species. Native plants and sustainable practices help counteract the effects of urbanisation and deforestation, preserving our local ecosystems. -
Pollution
By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers we can prevent harmful runoff into our water systems, protecting aquatic life and reducing soil contamination. Composting garden and kitchen waste is a great way to not only reduce landfill but create nutrient-rich soil. -
Well-Being
Climate-conscious garden design promotes cleaner air, reduced heat in urban areas, and a healthier environment for us to live in. It also better connects us with nature, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve our overall mental and physical well-being. -
Urban Challenges
For those living in large towns and cities, green spaces are critical. Tree cover, for example, is a great way to lower temperatures and counteract the heat-absorbing properties of concrete. Permeable landscaping and rain gardens help absorb excess rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding risk and protecting urban infrastructure. -
Community & Education
Sustainable gardens can build community engagement and bring people together. As well as our own gardens we should actively encourage those around us to adopt environmentally friendly best practices. -
Food Security
A sustainable garden can include resilient fruits, vegetables, and herbs, reducing dependency on global food supply chains that may be vulnerable to climate disruption. Locally grown produce reduces transportation emissions and supports a healthier, more sustainable diet. -
Future Generations
By creating climate-conscious gardens now, we can set an example for future generations. We should be looking to leave a legacy with homes and gardens that are healthier and more resilient to climate change.
5 ways to incorporate eco-friendly design into our gardens
By making our gardens more sustainable and eco-conscious, we are not only contributing to a healthier planet but also creating spaces that are more enjoyable, resource-efficient, and ready to thrive in an uncertain future.
No matter how small, every garden can be a powerful tool for positive environmental change. Here we have our top 5 simple ways that you can introduce sustainable garden design practices into your own outdoor space.
1. Native Plants

One of the easiest ways to introduce climate-conscious design into your garden is by planting more native plants and UK climate-appropriate plants.
They are best suited to your local climate and soil, requiring less water, fertiliser, and maintenance.
Research native species or plants that will suit the climate. Consider the specific microclimate of your garden, including soil type, sunlight exposure, and wind conditions, when selecting plants.
For example, here on the South Coast where Lazy Susan is based, we have found that native plants such as Sea Thrift (aka Armeria maritima a low-growing plant with silvery-green foliage and clusters of pink flowers) and hardy perennials like the Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense pictured above) thrive in a sustainable garden.
2. Water Efficiency

Water conservation is key to addressing the changing climate, particularly in those parts of the UK that are prone to summer hose pipe bans, It is also one we can easily incorporate into our wider sustainable garden design schemes, big or small.
For those not looking at a full re-design, we can adapt our existing gardens to include a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store water for irrigation. If you want to go a step further, we should install a drip irrigation system to reduce water waste.
If you want to design a fully sustainable garden, then a rain garden will help manage stormwater runoff. It combines landscaping features such as shallow depression, native planting, and a special soil mix to allow water to infiltrate quickly.
The garden is designed to collect and absorb rainwater from impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, and patios.
Infiltration then allows this water to flow from these surfaces into the rain garden. The native plants and soil in the garden help to slow down the water and allow it to soak into the ground, rather than running off into storm drains and potentially polluting waterways.
3. Reduce Lawns

We love a freshly cut lawn here at Lazy Susan HQ but they are just not sustainable. They require lots of water, fertiliser, and maintenance to keep them green and healthy.
When re-designing our gardens we can replace grass with ground cover, native wildflower meadows, or low-maintenance hardscaping like permeable pavers or gravel.
If you do have a lawn, then keep it a little bit longer. This will promote healthier roots, reduce weed growth, improve water retention, give you better drought resistance, and create a better habitat for wildlife
Plus, by letting our grass grow longer, we won't have to mow it as often. Win-win!
4. Sustainable Materials

Another critical component in any eco-sensitive sustainable garden design is the incorporation of renewable, sustainable, and recycled materials to reduce the depletion of natural resources and lower our carbon footprint.
One of the best ways to do this is to use recycled or locally sourced materials for any patios, planters, or garden structures.
We can also opt for permeable paving to improve water infiltration/reduce runoff and build raised beds from reclaimed materials as they’re better for conserving water and maintaining healthy soil.
Regarding our garden furniture, this is something we discussed in detail in our Can garden furniture be recycled? article.
5. Biodiversity

Supporting diverse ecosystems helps pollinators and wildlife thrive, which is vital for environmental balance in our gardens.
Again, we can start with small changes and gradually increase the complexity of our garden design.
You can plant pollinator-friendly native plants like lavender, sunflowers, and milkweed, avoid pesticides and herbicides, or add a birdhouse, bee hotel, or small water feature.
The key is to think about ways we can incorporate diverse habitats into our gardens. Design solutions that not only look good but give something back to nature.
Leave a patch of uncut grass or add a wildflower green roof on a shed to provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and small mammals.
Build a hidden compost heap to attract beneficial insects and provide nutrients for your garden.
Think about ways you can incorporate wildlife-friendly areas into your design.

Our sustainability promise…
By incorporating these principles into our garden or patio design, we can create beautiful, functional spaces that support the environment and help combat the effects of climate change.
We need to be designing our gardens for the long term - Climate-consciously designed gardens adapt better to the changing climate and the need for frequent replacement.
Our core values drive everything we do at Lazy Susan. We care about our customers, community, team, and garden furniture range.
We often ask are we doing enough to look after our community? Are our products the very best they can be? Can our team and customers feel that they are supporting a business that cares?
To ensure we tick all the right boxes, we proudly developed our 5-year sustainability plan. We aim to revolutionise our manufacturing and packaging processes to minimise our environmental footprint.
You can find out more on our Sustainability at Lazy Susan page.
Our Do Some Good charity campaign also plays a big part in us trying to lead by example.
Send us a few photos of your Lazy Susan Furniture once it is set up in your garden and we will plant trees or make a donation to a charity on your behalf.
All you need to do is tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.