Sustainable Gardening Starts with the Soil

In Ashtead, our soils range from heavy clay in the Lower Village to light, chalky ground towards the Downs, with pockets of greensand in between. This variety affects what thrives in our gardens, yet one simple practice benefits them all: mulching.

By spreading a layer of organic material over the soil, mulching suppresses weeds, conserves moisture and protects roots from temperature extremes. As worms draw the material down, it improves soil structure and drainage. Home‑made mulch from garden waste is ideal, though purchased material or used potting compost also works well. The RHS advises against using new peat‑free compost for mulching.

The less we disturb the soil, the more organic matter we add (never peat), and the fewer chemicals we rely on, the more sustainable our gardens become.