What is Regenerative Gardening?
Discover more about this growing trend for improving soil health and find ways to weave it into your own garden
As we learn more about the importance of protecting wildlife habitats in our outdoor spaces, we’re becoming increasingly aware of the need to build biodiversity and restore and regenerate the soil, too. This is often referred to as regenerative gardening.
Here, professionals explain what a regenerative gardening approach looks like and share ways to employ it in your own plot, along with some key questions to ask your garden designer.
Professional advice from: Melanie Hick of Melanie Hick Garden Design; Harry Holding of Harry Holding Studio; Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the RHS
Here, professionals explain what a regenerative gardening approach looks like and share ways to employ it in your own plot, along with some key questions to ask your garden designer.
Professional advice from: Melanie Hick of Melanie Hick Garden Design; Harry Holding of Harry Holding Studio; Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the RHS
How does it differ from wildlife gardening or rewilding?
Although regenerative gardening has a lot of crossover with other wildlife-friendly approaches, it’s quite specific in its focus on soil health, and it differs from rewilding in a couple of ways.
“Regenerative gardening is really specifically caring for and restoring damaged land,” Melanie says. But it’s an approach that focuses on food cultivation, too. She points out that, while rewilding “aims to get land back to its completely natural, human-free state”, regenerative gardening “allows for the production of crops alongside increased soil health and opportunities for wildlife”. It’s an approach that supports “nature and people cohabiting alongside each other”.
“Regenerative gardening may involve established regimes, such as ‘forest gardening’, where the gardener seeks to emulate a natural, self-sustaining forest environment, or ‘no-dig’ gardening, where the soil is not disturbed, so soil functions are improved,” Guy adds. However, he stresses, “All low-input, pesticide-free regimes should lead to a garden where nature is better supported and can be called ‘regenerative’.”
“All of these concepts and big ideas are often working towards similar goals,” Harry says. “Through conscious and ecological-based decisions, we can work in more regenerative ways. Which school of thought these decisions or intentions are based upon is less important.”
Although regenerative gardening has a lot of crossover with other wildlife-friendly approaches, it’s quite specific in its focus on soil health, and it differs from rewilding in a couple of ways.
“Regenerative gardening is really specifically caring for and restoring damaged land,” Melanie says. But it’s an approach that focuses on food cultivation, too. She points out that, while rewilding “aims to get land back to its completely natural, human-free state”, regenerative gardening “allows for the production of crops alongside increased soil health and opportunities for wildlife”. It’s an approach that supports “nature and people cohabiting alongside each other”.
“Regenerative gardening may involve established regimes, such as ‘forest gardening’, where the gardener seeks to emulate a natural, self-sustaining forest environment, or ‘no-dig’ gardening, where the soil is not disturbed, so soil functions are improved,” Guy adds. However, he stresses, “All low-input, pesticide-free regimes should lead to a garden where nature is better supported and can be called ‘regenerative’.”
“All of these concepts and big ideas are often working towards similar goals,” Harry says. “Through conscious and ecological-based decisions, we can work in more regenerative ways. Which school of thought these decisions or intentions are based upon is less important.”
Is it something anyone can do in their garden?
The good news is that regenerative gardening is something anyone can start doing, whatever space you have. And you might already be doing it.
“Much gardening is regenerative by its nature,” Guy says, citing shrub plantings, trees and wildflower gardens as examples where “little input is needed for good results and the plants build up soil health and support a wide range of garden wildlife.
“Other aspects [of traditional gardening] are less regenerative, so vegetable gardens that are dug and fertilised are certainly productive, but potentially at an environmental cost,” he says. “This can be remedied by growing cover crops (green manures), composting, crop rotation, mulching and minimising cultivation.”
Other elements of your garden could also be tweaked to bring them in line with regenerative practices. Guy suggests rose gardens, for example, “which rely on fertiliser, heavy pruning and pesticides” can be replaced by “mixed plantings of modern cultivars of shrub roses that need little pruning, tolerate diseases and flower for long periods.”
Browse the work of garden designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
The good news is that regenerative gardening is something anyone can start doing, whatever space you have. And you might already be doing it.
“Much gardening is regenerative by its nature,” Guy says, citing shrub plantings, trees and wildflower gardens as examples where “little input is needed for good results and the plants build up soil health and support a wide range of garden wildlife.
“Other aspects [of traditional gardening] are less regenerative, so vegetable gardens that are dug and fertilised are certainly productive, but potentially at an environmental cost,” he says. “This can be remedied by growing cover crops (green manures), composting, crop rotation, mulching and minimising cultivation.”
Other elements of your garden could also be tweaked to bring them in line with regenerative practices. Guy suggests rose gardens, for example, “which rely on fertiliser, heavy pruning and pesticides” can be replaced by “mixed plantings of modern cultivars of shrub roses that need little pruning, tolerate diseases and flower for long periods.”
Browse the work of garden designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
What are the five easiest ways to start regenerative gardening at home?
“If you have a garden, large or small, that has soil that’s less than its best, or you have a clear lack of natural habitat, such as plastic turf instead of wildflowers, you can do regenerative gardening,” Melanie says.
“Anyone can garden in a more regenerative way,” Harry agrees. “By working towards some key principles, you can have a positive impact no matter the scale.”
Here are five ways to get started.
“If you have a garden, large or small, that has soil that’s less than its best, or you have a clear lack of natural habitat, such as plastic turf instead of wildflowers, you can do regenerative gardening,” Melanie says.
“Anyone can garden in a more regenerative way,” Harry agrees. “By working towards some key principles, you can have a positive impact no matter the scale.”
Here are five ways to get started.
1. Get to know your soil
The first step to any regenerative gardening is to understand what you’re working with. “Have a soil analysis [done] to see if any large quantities of harmful chemicals are present, especially if you know you’re on a brownfield or former industrial site,” Melanie says. There are companies online that can analyse soil samples for homeowners.
“On a larger scale, we would commission a biodiversity survey and measure improvements over time from drones and satellite and ground surveys,” she adds.
Once you have an idea of what you’re working with, you can start to look after it. “Avoid digging your soil and start a regime of caring for it as best you can,” Harry says.
The first step to any regenerative gardening is to understand what you’re working with. “Have a soil analysis [done] to see if any large quantities of harmful chemicals are present, especially if you know you’re on a brownfield or former industrial site,” Melanie says. There are companies online that can analyse soil samples for homeowners.
“On a larger scale, we would commission a biodiversity survey and measure improvements over time from drones and satellite and ground surveys,” she adds.
Once you have an idea of what you’re working with, you can start to look after it. “Avoid digging your soil and start a regime of caring for it as best you can,” Harry says.
2. Start composting
Making your own compost at home is a key part of starting to regenerate your soil and will help you to save money, too. “Composting your waste material is a great way to start a circular system by recycling the organic matter back into the soil as a compost mulch,” Harry says.
You don’t have to have lots of space to do this, either; even small gardens can benefit from a compact, insulated (or hotbin) compost system. “Insulated compost bins deter unwanted visitors, suppress smells and produce good results quickly while taking up little space in small gardens” Guy says.
Making your own compost at home is a key part of starting to regenerate your soil and will help you to save money, too. “Composting your waste material is a great way to start a circular system by recycling the organic matter back into the soil as a compost mulch,” Harry says.
You don’t have to have lots of space to do this, either; even small gardens can benefit from a compact, insulated (or hotbin) compost system. “Insulated compost bins deter unwanted visitors, suppress smells and produce good results quickly while taking up little space in small gardens” Guy says.
3. Introduce more native plants
Reducing areas of hard landscaping while increasing the number of plants in your garden will go a long way towards regenerating your soil.
Native and pollinator-friendly plants should be top of the list, Melanie says. “Increase native plants, such as ivy and holly, that support the whole life-cycle of native birds and invertebrates, such as the Holly Blue butterfly,” she suggests.
Guy also recommends increasing the number of plants you have in your garden. “This creates a more diverse and flourishing ecosystem [rather] than a garden where artificial surfaces predominate,” he says.
He also recommends choosing pollinator-friendly plants that will also help to squeeze out weeds, while their roots support soil life. Try Ajuga, daylilies, Dianthus, hellebores, heuchera and sedums (Hylotelephium).
Reducing areas of hard landscaping while increasing the number of plants in your garden will go a long way towards regenerating your soil.
Native and pollinator-friendly plants should be top of the list, Melanie says. “Increase native plants, such as ivy and holly, that support the whole life-cycle of native birds and invertebrates, such as the Holly Blue butterfly,” she suggests.
Guy also recommends increasing the number of plants you have in your garden. “This creates a more diverse and flourishing ecosystem [rather] than a garden where artificial surfaces predominate,” he says.
He also recommends choosing pollinator-friendly plants that will also help to squeeze out weeds, while their roots support soil life. Try Ajuga, daylilies, Dianthus, hellebores, heuchera and sedums (Hylotelephium).
4. Look after wildlife
Habitat creation is a key element of regenerative gardening, as it encourages wildlife into the garden to help naturally manage pests and diseases.
“Simple habitat piles of deadwood, leaves and rubble can help to bring in the array of invertebrates that are an essential part of the food chain,” Harry says. “A wildlife pond or natural water feature transforms a garden and brings with it a bounty of biodiversity.”
Guy suggests growing hedges in place of fences, which will support wildlife as well as offering a range of other positive benefits. “[Hedges] give more shelter and intercept floodwater and air pollutants while supporting birds and other beneficial wildlife,” he says.
More: How to Swap Your Fence for a Wildlife-friendly Hedge
Habitat creation is a key element of regenerative gardening, as it encourages wildlife into the garden to help naturally manage pests and diseases.
“Simple habitat piles of deadwood, leaves and rubble can help to bring in the array of invertebrates that are an essential part of the food chain,” Harry says. “A wildlife pond or natural water feature transforms a garden and brings with it a bounty of biodiversity.”
Guy suggests growing hedges in place of fences, which will support wildlife as well as offering a range of other positive benefits. “[Hedges] give more shelter and intercept floodwater and air pollutants while supporting birds and other beneficial wildlife,” he says.
More: How to Swap Your Fence for a Wildlife-friendly Hedge
5. Plant cover crops
A cover crop, or green manure, is a fast-growing plant that’s used to cover bare patches of soil or fill in the spaces between crops. They can help to fix nutrients into the soil and remove the need for chemical fertilisers. Ask your garden designer to find out more, or take a look at this beginner’s guide.
Taking a more relaxed approach to your lawn can also improve soil health. “Let some of it turn into wildflower meadow by mowing only in early autumn,” Guy says. “Try raking clover seed into the remaining lawn to add greenery in drought and fix nitrogen to replace lawn fertiliser.”
A cover crop, or green manure, is a fast-growing plant that’s used to cover bare patches of soil or fill in the spaces between crops. They can help to fix nutrients into the soil and remove the need for chemical fertilisers. Ask your garden designer to find out more, or take a look at this beginner’s guide.
Taking a more relaxed approach to your lawn can also improve soil health. “Let some of it turn into wildflower meadow by mowing only in early autumn,” Guy says. “Try raking clover seed into the remaining lawn to add greenery in drought and fix nitrogen to replace lawn fertiliser.”
What questions should you ask your garden designer if you want to embrace regenerative gardening?
Working with a garden professional can help you to get the most out of your space, but it’s important to ask the right questions at the start.
“Ask your garden or landscape designer about their values relating to biodiversity and regeneration,” Melanie suggests. “They might be a member of the Wildlife Garden Directory, as I am, or a similar regeneration-focused body.”
Harry suggests being open and honest about your intentions for your outside space. “What are the functional requirements of you and your family and how do these balance with the needs of other, non-human inhabitants?” he says. “What are your hopes for the benefits of having a more wildlife-friendly and regenerative garden?”
Guy recommends asking your designer how they will provide the features you want. “[This could include] a low-input lawn for entertaining and children’s play; self-sustaining herbaceous plants that need neither feeding nor watering and look good for long periods, and trees and water features to enhance the wildlife that will feed on wanted organisms such as aphids.
“These aspects can also ease the subsequent maintenance burden once the garden is finished,” he adds. “Maintenance is often overlooked, [so] press your designer on how excessive maintenance can be avoided.”
“Designing and creating a garden that intends on being regenerative is only the first step,” Harry says. “Aftercare and on-going management is key, so you need to have honest conversations around what is and isn’t possible.”
More: How to Choose a Garden Designer
Tell us…
Have you tried regenerative gardening? Did you find these tips helpful? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Working with a garden professional can help you to get the most out of your space, but it’s important to ask the right questions at the start.
“Ask your garden or landscape designer about their values relating to biodiversity and regeneration,” Melanie suggests. “They might be a member of the Wildlife Garden Directory, as I am, or a similar regeneration-focused body.”
Harry suggests being open and honest about your intentions for your outside space. “What are the functional requirements of you and your family and how do these balance with the needs of other, non-human inhabitants?” he says. “What are your hopes for the benefits of having a more wildlife-friendly and regenerative garden?”
Guy recommends asking your designer how they will provide the features you want. “[This could include] a low-input lawn for entertaining and children’s play; self-sustaining herbaceous plants that need neither feeding nor watering and look good for long periods, and trees and water features to enhance the wildlife that will feed on wanted organisms such as aphids.
“These aspects can also ease the subsequent maintenance burden once the garden is finished,” he adds. “Maintenance is often overlooked, [so] press your designer on how excessive maintenance can be avoided.”
“Designing and creating a garden that intends on being regenerative is only the first step,” Harry says. “Aftercare and on-going management is key, so you need to have honest conversations around what is and isn’t possible.”
More: How to Choose a Garden Designer
Tell us…
Have you tried regenerative gardening? Did you find these tips helpful? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Regenerative gardening broadly means leaving the soil and garden environment in a better condition than that in which you found it.
“Regenerative gardening is where we garden owners contribute to restoring a landscape – big or small – back to health,” Melanie Hick says. “We regenerate gardens by helping biodiversity, such as installing sand beds and habitat poles for solitary bees, improving soil and improving planting to support birds.”
“Fertilisers, lime, manures and pesticides can suppress the regenerative powers of gardens,” Guy Barter says, “so in regenerative gardening, they’re replaced by growing more plants, such as cover crops [also known as green manures – fast-growing plants that can be mixed back into the soil]; adding clover and other legumes to add the vital plant nutrient, nitrogen, and home composting to recycle garden and kitchen waste that feeds the soil organisms and plants.”
“Regenerative gardening is about working with natural processes, not against them,” Harry Holding agrees, “taking a holistic approach to garden management to foster a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
“From soil restoration and habitat provision to water management, it’s about looking at all the systems in the garden and allowing them to link up to create a synergistic whole,” he says.