Kim Stoddart’s Small Changes That Gardeners Can Make To Help The Environment
Contributions From KIM STODDART
Kim Stoddart is a climate change gardener and the co-author of ‘The Climate Change Garden’, which was updated and republished in February 2023. She teaches courses for the RHS and has also written for publications such as The Guardian and Country Smallholding.
Since 2013, Kim Stoddart has been writing about climate change gardening for publications such as The Guardian, going on to co-author ‘The Climate Change Garden’ in 2019.
This book has now been republished by Cool Springs Press, with Kim teaching courses for the RHS alongside its rerelease.
I spoke with Kim to better understand her passion for climate-friendly growing.
Imagery in this article has been provided with permission by Kim Stoddart.
How Did You First Get Into Gardening?
“I’ve loved the natural world from a young age and started gardening as an apparently somewhat moody teenager,” shares Kim.
“I used to love experimenting with what I could get to grow in my parents’ garden and spotting and photographing the wildlife within.”
Can You Tell Us About Your Book, ‘The Climate Change Garden’ And How It Came About?
“I’ve been writing about a more climate change savvy and resilient form of gardening for publications such as the Guardian since 2013,” she says.
“My gardens were subject to extreme flooding and it set me on a journey of discovery to find solutions to help shore up the defences in our gardens.
“My press writing led to a meeting with Sally Morgan, my co-author, back in 2018.
“We first published the book with corporate support through my social enterprise Green Rocket and a new, updated, global guide was published by the Quarto Group in February 2023.”
What Small Changes Can Gardeners Make To Help The Environment?
“So many gardeners I meet on the courses I run are unconfident about their abilities, even highly experienced gardeners, feeling guilty that their gardens don’t look like those they see on the TV or social media,” Kim explains.
“There’s so much pressure on gardeners without all the challenges in the world right now, like the cost of living crisis and climate change, that I think it’s important to start with a reminder that gardens and gardening haven’t always looked like this.
“They haven’t always been full of work, expense and expectations of grandeur.
“It’s great buying things and getting excited about new tools, seeds or plants, but the more that we can weave in some upcycling and homemade products, the more confident and empowered we are likely to feel.
“For example making some of your own compost or mulches out of leaf mould, grass clippings, comfrey or woodchips can help plants to thrive. Oiling and sharpening secateurs and repurposing an old pot are all part of the solution and can help us to make better use of what we have.
“You can’t beat the feeling of creatively transforming a waste item into something incredibly lovely for the garden. Growing some of your own food all year round is also a really positive action as it helps reduce plastic waste.
“Gardening without the use of pesticides and chemicals is also important.
“Boosting biodiversity above and below ground is also an incredibly important part of the solution for us all moving forwards with climate change to help build resilience in our outside spaces.”
Do You Have Any Upcoming Projects That You’d Like To Share?
“As mentioned above, my co-authored ‘The Climate Change Garden’ book has just been republished by Quarto. It includes lots of solution-focused advice for building resilience in keeping with the natural world.
“I also run lots of courses around the UK, including at my training gardens in Wales, on becoming low-cost, climate change savvy and growing your own food.
“I’m also running community climate change garden design projects and many more initiatives to help people build resilience for the future.”
You can find more information on these projects on Kim’s website.
What’s One Final Piece Of Advice You Would Give To Any Gardeners?
“Know that we are all in this together; us gardeners, our friends, neighbours and local communities,” says Kim.
“We are living through incredibly stressful times and little acts of kindness and support matter.
“Whether it’s passing on a few plants or swapping seeds and advice, the more we can reach out locally, the better it will be for the future, people, places and planet.”
