Country living definitely has a special kind of unique charm – it’s all about fresh air, open spaces, and nature, and it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. But with all that charm comes some challenges and changes, and you’ve actually got to think about how you do things differently compared to when you live in the town or more urban areas, especially when it comes to sustainability. With that in mind, here are some great ways to enjoy sustainable country living – read on to find out more.
Photo by Gary Barnes
Grow Your Own Food
One of the best things about country living is finally having the space you need to grow your own fruit and veg – and just imagine how wonderful it would be to step outside and pick some fresh tomatoes or lettuce or berries or perhaps some herbs for dinner. It’s so satisfying and so healthy (not to mention sustainable). You can start small with a few raised beds or pots and then gradually work your way up to a full vegetable patch if you want to; it just takes effort and patience but the results will be worth it.
And don’t forget about composting either. All of the organic waste, like vegetable peelings or coffee grounds can be turned into nutrient-rich soil to help your fruit and veg grow better, and not only will your results be tasty and healthy, but you’ll also be creating less waste, so it’s ideal all round.
Be Careful With Water
When you’re surrounded by nature, it’s easy to take water for granted, but the truth is that saving water is the key to sustainable living (or at least a big part of it) so you’ve got to do what you can to make it happen. You can start really easily by installing water butts to collect rainwater, for example, and then you can use that water to water your plants or even wash the cash with – perfect!
If you rely on a septic tank, you’ve got to make sure it’s regularly checked over and maintained to keep things running smoothly and – as a definite bonus, especially if you’re trying to be as sustainable as possible – protect the surrounding environment. It’s probably not something you think about all that often because it’s hidden away, but it’s an essential element of running an environmentally friendly country house.
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
The great thing about sustainability is that it doesn’t have to be complicated and you can just make a few small, conscious choices and you’ll be on the right track. For example, you could easily swap single-use plastics for reusable alternatives, or you could shop locally to cut down on food miles, or perhaps you could start repairing things rather than throwing them out and buying more. These – and plenty of other ideas like buying second and furniture and clothing – all fall into the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ way of living, and it can save you money, give you a true sense of achievement, and tick lots of boxes when it comes to sustainability, so why not give it a go?
Country living definitely has a special kind of unique charm – it’s all about fresh air, open spaces, and nature, and it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. But with all that charm comes some challenges and changes, and you’ve actually got to think about how you do things differently compared to when you live in the town or more urban areas, especially when it comes to sustainability. With that in mind, here are some great ways to enjoy sustainable country living – read on to find out more.
Grow Your Own Food
One of the best things about country living is finally having the space you need to grow your own fruit and veg – and just imagine how wonderful it would be to step outside and pick some fresh tomatoes or lettuce or berries or perhaps some herbs for dinner. It’s so satisfying and so healthy (not to mention sustainable). You can start small with a few raised beds or pots and then gradually work your way up to a full vegetable patch if you want to; it just takes effort and patience but the results will be worth it.
And don’t forget about composting either. All of the organic waste, like vegetable peelings or coffee grounds can be turned into nutrient-rich soil to help your fruit and veg grow better, and not only will your results be tasty and healthy, but you’ll also be creating less waste, so it’s ideal all round.
Be Careful With Water
When you’re surrounded by nature, it’s easy to take water for granted, but the truth is that saving water is the key to sustainable living (or at least a big part of it) so you’ve got to do what you can to make it happen. You can start really easily by installing water butts to collect rainwater, for example, and then you can use that water to water your plants or even wash the cash with – perfect!
If you rely on a septic tank, you’ve got to make sure it’s regularly checked over and maintained to keep things running smoothly and – as a definite bonus, especially if you’re trying to be as sustainable as possible – protect the surrounding environment. It’s probably not something you think about all that often because it’s hidden away, but it’s an essential element of running an environmentally friendly country house.
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
The great thing about sustainability is that it doesn’t have to be complicated and you can just make a few small, conscious choices and you’ll be on the right track. For example, you could easily swap single-use plastics for reusable alternatives, or you could shop locally to cut down on food miles, or perhaps you could start repairing things rather than throwing them out and buying more.
These – and plenty of other ideas like buying second and furniture and clothing – all fall into the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ way of living, and it can save you money, give you a true sense of achievement, and tick lots of boxes when it comes to sustainability, so why not give it a go?
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