1. Grow Your Own

Get a taste of The Good Life and go self-sufficient - and if you haven't got a garden, what about an allotment plot? It's the best way of knowing where your food comes from.

2. Use a Composter

Create something delicious and nutritious for your garden with a home composter, which makes short work of cardboard, coffee grounds, egg shells, tea bags and vegetable peelings.

3. Water Wisely

Don't waste water - a water butt will catch the rain for garden use or if you're using tap water, use a watering can rather than a hosepipe to pep up your plants.

4. Be Selective

Plants such as sunflowers, lavender and buddleia don't need much water to flourish - which makes them a great choice for the water-conscious gardener.

5. Go Chemical Free

Avoid chemical pesticides and fertilisers. Instead, use organic compost and leaf mould. Keep your garden tools clean to avoid disease and try barrier methods and traps to keep pests at bay.

6. Recycle and Reclaim

Go for garden furniture made of recycled, reclaimed or sustainable materials. If you can find tables, chairs and benches made my local craftsmen, so much the better.

6. A Wildlife Haven

Invite in wildlife and beneficial insects and you've got a natural way of controlling garden pests such as slugs, snails and greenfly - and saving money on shop-bought alternatives.

8. Crop Rotation

A trick of organic growers, by simply rotating what you grow where, you'll increase soil fertility and control the build-up of pests and diseases.

9. Lights Out

Go for solar powered garden that stores the sun's energy during the day to create a stunning visual effect in the evening - perfect for parties and lazy summer drinks.