CO2 calculations

Wow! I have been having great fun working here with James Lascelles today, calculating the carbon footprint of the garden. There is so much to remember; its really interesting. We've included travel, deliveries, fabrication, energy, and waste. It's all really detailed, so watch out for those cheap imitations(!) Once I've finished, I'll be able to calculate how many tonnes of CO2 will be generated in the manufacture and creation of the garden from raw material supply to delivery and build at the Chelsea Flower Show. I can then calculate how many trees we will need to plant to help offset the CO2 emissions, so I can achieve a carbon-neutral position.

I think its really important for gardeners and garden designers to consider the implications of the choices they make on the environment. For example, I was going to use granite from China, but I amended the design to use sandstone from the UK. I was also going to have lots of plants shipped over from New Zealand, but instead we sourced the same or equivalent plants from the UK, with a few from Europe. One plant could not be sourced elsewhere, and a small amount of it will be shipped from New Zealand, but this was a conscious and informed decision.

I have learned an awful lot through this process, and I hope to write an article for my fellow Garden Designers explaining the process, (when I get a minute!!)

Linda Bush is a garden designer based in Kent.

www.lindabush.co.uk/chelsea.html

Mimosa in Tuscany in springtime

I popped over to Pisa for the day today looking at trees...as you do! I had the most fabulous time in Tuscany at the tree and shrub nursery which is going to supply some special Acacia dealbata trees for my garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. Acacias are also commonly known as Mimosa. It was 20 degrees, we had pasta and a glass of Chianti for lunch, and then strolled around in the sunshine looking at the trees and plants, with the Tuscan hills in the back-ground. Divine.

And I know what you're thinking; that this will add greatly to the carbon footprint of the garden. You're right of course, but the quality of the trees are so important to the judging at the Chelsea Flower Show, that I'm afraid I was unwilling to take any risks. I did get photos sent from the alternative suppliers so that I only visited the best option.

I haven't had time to work on the carbon calculations for the garden yet; it's been frantic here. But a good friend of mine is coming to help me out for a couple of days next week so hopefully we'll be able to get some good work done on it. I'm keen that the garden should be carbon neutral if possible. I thought it was funny how Gordon Brown has this week committed the future Chancellors of the Exchequer to carbon calculations for the whole economy. I'm finding it hard for a small garden 10m x 8m!

Linda Bush is a garden designer based in Kent.

www.lindabush.co.uk/chelsea.html