Sustainability

We want to help people with more than gardening, cooking and health. Even if they are not up to speed with the theory of circular economics, everyone knows something about the importance of the environment and sustainable living. We want to extend that knowledge wherever possible in people’s lives – in clothing (re-using and mending), in work and in play. And we promise it will be fun!

Look at how we can work together in the Future

Lepidoptera Club

A weekend club for children from different schools. The children are combining gardening and artistic skills to produce a miniature habitat for butterflies in a re-used oil drum - provided by the RHS. We will display at the Hampton Court Flower Show in July 2024 but the work can as easily be used in school grounds!

Giant Cardboard

Workshops to make houses or other objects out of cardboard packing. Hugely popular with children – who do the work and then re-home themselves! – and their parents – who can re-use empty cardboard packaging. A good example of getting the best out of materials before they really do need to be re-cycled.

Slow Fashion

The fashion industry is both wasteful and environmentally damaging. It can also be exploitative. It needn’t be. We and our Bristol sister company, Weaving Change, offer classes in mending, re-designing and getting the most out of reconfiguring what you wear. You will not only help reduce the damage done by the industry but save money and be astonished by what you can achieve with what you you’ve got already.

Plastic Peat Pesticides?

We know that plastic and the use of peat and pesticides are environmentally bad. Plastic is a fact of life but that shouldn’t stop us buying as little as possible. The use of peat damages peat habitats and pesticides upset the ecological balance of our gardens. Our classes will teach attractive ways of using plastic we already have and focus on alternative ways of efficient and healthy growing without using either peat or pesticides.

Re-use Re-cycle Up-cycle

If you have a lot of stuff you’re thinking of throwing away, don’t just yet! We design and build a lot of gardens and it is amazing just how much we can and do re-use elsewhere. Off-cuts, pallets, odd bits of wood - so much can be put to good use again with a little imagination. We’re happy to run classes to show you what to do.

Christmas Wreaths

A terrific opportunity for you to design your own Christmas wreath as the Festive season starts in your local school or at home. You’ll be amazed at what you can do at smaller cost than buying wreaths and all materials – other than the foliage itself – can be reused every year. Often inspired by a nice glass of mulled wine

Projects we are working on at Present

Slow Fashion

Christmas Wreaths

Lepidoptera Club

A sample of what we have done in the Past

Makedo - Battersea Art Centre

Pollinator Paths

Beautify Balham