What's the Alternative?

[Amo]

I noticed today one of my local little nurseries selling herbs in little hessian sacks. Herb plants that is, not seeds!!! They were just a bit bigger than a 9cm pot and the plants looked very happy.

One of the larger chain nurseries has been selling perennials in coir pots with 'lolly stick' lables. Another great idea.

Both these are environmentally friendly and compostable. The sack pots are recycled and the coir is a waste product.

Last month held the first ever Beanpole week where it was encouraged to use hazel poles coppiced the traditional way from English woodland as they have been for centuries rather than imported, bright yellow, uniform, bamboo canes. As well as being nicer to look at the gnarled hazel is also supposed to encourage more vigorous climbing!!

Of course there are others like making your own compost, saving rain and grey water, making your own plant food and loo roll and newspaper pots.

What other, more unusual things have you seen or can think of that may only be little but can mean a lot especially in the commercial Garden Centre and Nursery world?

[Shrubrose]

What about egg boxes for sowing seeds? You get a small seed tray on one side and cells on the other? They're compostable too (apart from the sticky labels that they come with.

[Weeterrier]

Those ideas are great. I compost my egg boxes, but I could use them as you say first, Shrubby.
Amo, I haven't seen anywhere up here using such things, though, to be fair, I don't get around much . At least my local Homebase lays out their plastic trays for customers to help themselves.
I'd like to see the plastic and polystyrene trays cut down on though. There must be mountains of them thrown away.

[Amo]

I think the plastic and polystyrene usage in such a GREEN business/past time/hobby abominable to be honest.

I've just written to Crocus to see if they have any plans for the future regarding supplying more sustainable products. I'm not a huge environmentalist but to me these little changes are sensible, obvious and better all round.

I do like the promotion of UK products and skills over imported ones anyday in any sphere!! And those little hessian sacks with the herbs were so cute!! ;D