Today – Reducing air pollution
Tragically, the air quality here in the UK is starting to become a major issue. One study, by the Guardian, has suggested that over 40,000 deaths each year are linked to the rising levels of air pollution. The report also suggested that the annual legal limit of air pollution for London had been reached in one month. Despite the evident measures being put in place by the government and local councils, it clearly isn’t enough.
It has reached a stage where we as a public need to start making our own added contributions to prevent the situation getting any worse. Here with Compost Direct, play bark suppliers, we take you through the best ways you can be helping drive down the air pollution.
Conifers
Research has found that laneways and roads littered with hedges have a 63% reduction in carbon. Homes & Property recommend the western red cedar hedge is the ideal conifer for your garden. Although if the area is a little smaller, the publication also names the yew as a great alternative, citing its evergreen nature and easy trimming.
Wallflower
If it’s a garden busting with an array of colours, then look no further than the Erysimum. Goldsmiths also names this plant as being akin to the common ivy for its particulate-cleansing power. These flowers have a bright display of petals during the first half of the year. You can grow wallflowers in many colours, with purple and yellow popular choices.
English Ivy
You might already have this classic climbing plant without knowing what it is. Though it has a bad reputation in the States as being a weed, hedera helix can be a lovely addition to your garden if tended to.
Not only does the plant prove fruitful to the air but also to the local wildlife – Goldsmiths, University of London, states that the wide leaves of the common ivy traps particulates, which makes it a great choice for purifying the air.
Gerbera daisies
Beautiful blooms that come in a full palette of colours; white, orange, red, pink — whichever you pick, gerbera daisies will give your garden a splash of colour. These flowers love direct sunlight and a bit of space, so make sure not to leave them in a shady corner of your garden.
These wonderful flowers, suggest NASA, are great for dealing with multiple air toxins, such as benzene.
Keep it up
Remember, focus on maintaining your garden – not just what you’re planting.
SmilingGardener offers five great ways to reduce pollution in ways beyond planting shrubs and flowers:
- Start composting. You can turn many waste products into compost to stop it going to the landfill.
- Avoid corn gluten meal. SmilingGardener notes this meal is made up from genetically modified corn, so best to stay away from using it, if possible.
- Quiet equipment. This one’s more for noise pollution, but it’s certainly an added bonus for the pollution-conscious gardener to take note of!
- Stay away from using pesticides. This one is probably a given, but if you can avoid using chemicals on your garden, please do.
- Consider indoors as well as outdoors. As well as planting outdoor plants to combat air toxicity, consider bringing in some houseplants to cleanse the air in your home.
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