Latest news with #sustainableplanting
BBC News
26-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Workington moves to self-watering floral displays
A town is swapping traditional hanging baskets for self-watering ones to reduce its environmental Town Council has spent £4,500 replacing hanging baskets and containers in Workington town centre and hopes to replace all displays across its patch in the next two years, costing a further £14, authority has also implemented a sustainable planting scheme, meaning it prioritises plants that are beneficial to pollinators and bloom over extended seasons."This approach supports local wildlife whilst creating vibrant displays for residents and visitors to enjoy," a spokesman for the council said. They added the planters used a type of technology that reduced the amount of water needed for plants and flowers, reduced evaporation and increased storage capacity. The spokesman said: "This innovation will result in substantial savings in water usage, fuel consumption and labour costs."The authority has also shifted to using soil with less than 1% peat content, with a commitment to moving to peat-free displays by next year. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Eastbourne: Plan to restore Carpet Gardens on seafront to begin
Plans to restore Eastbourne's Carpet Gardens will begin on 12 May, 2025, with the aim of bringing greater biodiversity and removing invasive garden will be divided into sections; one remaining planted with traditional, imported summer bedding plants and another seeing a new array, according to Lewes and Eastbourne work is expected to take six weeks and is lead by Sussex-based landscape and garden designer, Peter Thurman, who has worked at Kew Royal Botanic Jim Murray hopes the project will "protect this Eastbourne gem for generations to come" and provide an "oasis of colour". The new array, which Lewes and Eastbourne Councils say can "withstand the warmer and drier climate", aims to provide a year-round display for visitors and section will be planted side-by-side, allowing residents and tourists to compare styles and give feedback to direct the future planting of the current bedding scheme has been in place for over 100 years, but has recently become overrun with an invasive, foreign weed called Oxalis weed and contaminated soil will be removed without using harmful chemicals, according to Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. 'We want to hear from residents' Councillor Jim Murray says he is excited for the showcase once the renovations have been complete."We want to make sure that whether it's sustainable planting, the summer bedding, or a mix of both, we listen to the views of residents when planning," he Jones, a trustee at Treebourne, says "naturalistic planting" has multiple benefits."[It] supports pollinators, conserves water and enriches soil health," Mr Jones design of the planned design of the flowers is meant to reflect the wave formations of the beach below, according to Mr Thurman."All the plants will withstand the harsh salt-laden winds and dry conditions that occur along the coast, and many provide nectar for insects and seeds for birds," Mr Thurman primary schools are also expected to be invited to join the project by visiting the team on site; learning how gardening is affected by climate change.
