Tips for a nature- and water-friendly garden

1. Out with the tile, in with the plant

Using fewer pavers in the garden has many benefits: for example, it allows rainwater to seep into the soil and replenish the groundwater. When rainwater falls on planted soil instead of pavers, it soaks directly into the ground and doesn’t need to be drained away through a drain and into the sewer system. This helps prevent flooding and keeps your garden cooler on hot days.

A green garden is also better for birds, butterflies, bees, and other species.

Tip

Take this step together with your neighbors so you can share the costs and maintenance.

2. Disconnect the downspout from the sewer

By disconnecting the downspout, the water can be directed into the garden via a gutter or collected in a pond or an infiltration system. Does your garden border a ditch? If so, you can direct the water into the ditch via a trench, allowing the soil to slowly absorb some of it along the way.

3. Rain barrel

Once you’ve disconnected the downspout, you can collect the rainwater and store it in a rain barrel. That way, you can use it later to water your plants, for example. A rain barrel can be placed on a balcony or in a garden. Be sure to include an overflow, preferably one that drains into the garden via an open gutter.

4. Open gutter

An open gutter can channel rainwater into a ditch, a pond, or a gravel bed. Open gutters offer opportunities in the garden, such as providing a place for children to play. They can also greatly enhance the garden’s appearance.

Tip

Take this step together with your neighbors so you can share the costs and maintenance.

5. Elevation changes in the garden

By creating different levels in the garden, you can ensure that some areas always stay dry, while water can pool in others during a heavy rainstorm. The patio and other parts of the garden where water shouldn’t pool can be built slightly higher. In the slightly lower, unpaved areas of the garden, water can pool briefly after a heavy rainstorm and gradually seep away.

6. Green Fence

Instead of wooden fences, you can also plant hedges and shrubs to mark the boundaries of your property. Green boundaries, such as hedges and shrubs, provide shelter and food for many species of birds and insects. They also help keep the garden cool and improve water management. Of course, you can also choose edible berry bushes that you can harvest yourself.

7. Planting

Choose perennials that suit your garden. Take into account areas with sunlight, shade, and both moist and dry conditions. See what’s thriving in your neighbors’ gardens—it will likely thrive in yours as well. This way, you’ll have a low-maintenance garden.

Tip

Choose hardy native plants that are suited to the soil. That way, you won’t need to water them very often.

8. Rainwater ponds

Would you like to use a pond as a rainwater storage area? If so, make sure to create sloping, planted, green banks. This way, the banks will remain attractive even as water levels fluctuate, and the variations in moisture will support a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Tip

Use rainwater for your fountain and pond.

9. Green roofs

Green roofs have many benefits. They collect rainwater, keep the space below cool, enhance biodiversity in the living environment, trap particulate matter, and look attractive. Green roofs are, in a sense, an extension of your garden—but at a higher elevation. Green roofs provide space for plants, thereby offering nectar and shelter. This creates a beautiful new habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects.

10. Gravel strips

You can use gravel and crushed stone for driveways, garden paths, and patios. The advantage is that it allows water to drain better than paving stones. The disadvantage is that it requires more maintenance; it needs to be replenished and raked from time to time.

11. Permeable paving

Sometimes paving is necessary, for example for patios, garden paths, and driveways. Permeable paving is therefore a smart option. Rainwater can seep into the ground and replenish the groundwater. This means the rainwater doesn’t have to be drained away through a drain and into the sewer system. This helps prevent flooding on the street and in the garden during heavy rainstorms. You also create more space for natural soil life, thereby increasing biodiversity. And finally, your garden stays cooler.

12. Hiding and feeding spots

Insect hotels, birdhouses, a few old branches, and a hedge provide shelter for butterflies, insects, birds, hedgehogs, and toads. A bird feeder, flowers, and a compost pile provide food.