Climate Change Will Cause North South Divide

11 Jul Climate Change Will Cause North South Divide

What Regional Adaptations Will Gardeners Need To Make In The Future?

An RHS report highlights the regional differences that climate change will bring to gardens in the UK and the ways in which we can adapt them to protect our plant-life.

We’ve all heard about the effects of climate change – melting glaciers, disappearing rainforests, endangered species and flash flooding being a few significant areas of concern. However, few of us have considered the impact that climate change will have on our gardens. A recent report conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society brings this ecological issue far closer to home by highlighting the changes that an increase in temperature will bring to our lawns and plants.

Gradual Hotting Up

By 2080, it is expected that the average temperature will have risen by approximately 4C, meaning hotter and drier summers, but also more pronounced periods of heavy rainfall which can cause flooding and problems with drainage. What is interesting is that although the entire UK is expected to experience both of these factors of climate change, there will likely be an emerging pattern which will create a clear divide between conditions in the North of the UK versus the South.

The North South Divide

It is expected that the areas that lie north of the Northampton region will enjoy a longer growing season due to wetter conditions with a slightly higher average temperature. However, waterlogging will introduce new pests and disease which may threaten the survival rate of various plants and flowers.

To the south of Northampton, the much hotter conditions and likely less rainfall in this region will create droughts making it difficult to keep plants watered and lawns may die off as a result.

Adapting To The Shift In Conditions

There are many ways that gardeners in both the north and south of the country can adapt their outdoor living spaces to these changes in conditions. In the north, raised flowerbeds can decrease the possibility of becoming waterlogged. Whereas, it is probable that residents in the south might need to experiment with different ways of collecting and distributing rain water, to ensure that precipitation is not wasted when it does occur. Many homeowners may also look towards alternative methods of maintaining a lawn.

Artificial Grass

When the seasons are dry and hot, a lawn can become cracked and loses its colour. This can be unsightly and the grass will worsen if it is subject to a large amount of foot traffic, for instance if you have family or pets that run around on it all day long. An alternative way to enjoy your lawn without ever having to worry about its condition is to replace natural turf with artificial grass. This synthetic material won’t harden or dry out, nor will it become muddy following a storm. The durable grass doesn’t fade in sunlight and is great for the environment as it eliminates ground pollution by eradicating the need for harmful pesticides and fertilisers that owners of natural grass battle with each year in a bid to keep their lawns looking presentable.

Due to the effects of climate change, it is likely that there will be a surge of interest in artificial grass in Bury St Edmunds, Northampton, Hereford and anywhere else south of this regional North-South divide. If you’re interested in protecting your garden against the environmental changes of the present and future, then get in touch today.