Optimising how you use your outside space can have an impact on the environment – and save you money too. You can reduce your spend on fruit and veg, use less water and create free fertilizer for your garden.
Grow your own
Growing fruit and vegetables in your garden or an allotment is a good way to save money and cut down your carbon footprint. Even if you don't have any outside space, there's lots you can grow on a balcony or sunny windowsill.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) 
has some great advice on growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Save water
Climate change is bringing greater risk of floods and drought, which puts pressure on our water supply. But limiting water usage in our gardens doesn't mean we can't care for them. Here are some useful tips to save you money and keep your outside space looking great:
- Fit a water butt and collect free water.
- Leave your lawn, it will soon recover after rainfall. Leave your grass slightly longer during dry spells and leave the cuttings on the ground - this will also benefit wildlife.
- Spread some mulch – apply a thick layer between plants to help keep the moisture in and the weeds away.
- Reuse water – use cooled bath water, shower or washing-up water to water your plants. Just make sure it's not too greasy and doesn't contain strong cleaning products.
- Use a watering can – rather than a sprinkler or a hose. If you need to use a hose, fit a trigger gun to save water and money on your bills.
- Water your plants in the early morning or evening – it's cooler and less water is lost to evaporation. Give plants a good soaking once or twice a week in dry weather rather than light, daily watering.
- Water the roots – aim directly at the roots rather than scattering water on the leaves. Established trees, shrubs and lawns don't need watering.
- Weed regularly – this lets your plants to soak up the water, instead of the weeds.
Get composting
Composting not only helps to reduce the rubbish in your bin but also creates a free supply of compost to keep your garden blooming. Composting at home also cuts CO2 emissions.
You can buy compost bins at most DIY shops, but you might be able to get a cheaper one through the Get Composting website . You could try making your own compost heap using chicken wire, scrap wood/pallets or by simply finding a corner of your garden.
Recycle Now provides great tips and useful advice to get your compost bin started.