waste not, want not — how quirks and fragments will make your garden unforgettable
gardens rarely begin as blank canvases. mostly, we inherit them with some sort of history. previous layers of paving, mature trees, buried boulders, a palm trunk left behind. things that, at first glance, can look like waste.
look closer, and these quirks can become opportunities. we say the best gardens use these as the beginnings of creating spaces with character, depth, and a real story...
from waste to resource
the instinct is often to clear everything away and start fresh. new soil, planting, stone, and brand new materials. however, working with what’s already available can create something more interesting.
reuse isn’t about being eco-conscious (although it can be). it’s best practice; it saves time, because the materials are already on site. it saves money, by cutting down deliveries and sourcing. it reduces waste, shrinking the carbon footprint of your garden. and perhaps most importantly, it creates instant character — a garden stitched together from fragments of past and present feels lived-in from day one. not sterile and soulless.
how reuse shapes gardens
reuse isn’t abstract; it really shows up in the small details, and the big features.
we’ve built outdoor kitchens from stacks of reclaimed pavers, and filled gabion baskets with repurposed stone to create benches that feel solid, textured, and look unique. we’ve also lifted and reinstalled decking because its weathered surface gives the space and immediate sense of continuity and quality.
sometimes the gestures are simple: palm fronds woven into a low-tech, low-cost fence to create dappled light. or boulders, dug out during excavation, used to build a natural sand play area. proof that the best features are often the ones you already have.
reuse can also invite life in. wildflowers seeded into rubble might thrive where rich soil would fail. broken tiles stacked loosely together make perfect homes for insects, and log piles are a fantastic habitat for small reptiles. ideal if you want someone to catch all the mosquitoes for you.
these examples show that what first appears as waste, or even a problem, can become the heart of the garden - practical, characterful, and unforgettable.
from gardens to cities
this isn’t just a garden design concept, it’s a design principle on every scale. whole cities have been transformed this way. disused railway lines reimagined as green walkways (New York’s High Line). stadiums dismantled and reborn as public landscapes (Wembley stadium, was used to build Northala Fields park).
at every level, reuse connects the past to the present by carrying a past life forward into something new.
your own garden can do the same.
the benefits of reuse for your garden
bringing reuse into your garden makes the whole process smoother, richer, and more rewarding and it’ll make your garden a talking point too:
less hassle — when you work with what’s already on site, you cut down on deliveries, sourcing trips, and delays. the build moves forward with fewer bumps in the road.
instant character — weathered stone, aged timber, or even a stack of pavers carries a story and character that can’t buy new. reuse gives your garden texture and personality from day 1.
smaller footprint — every repurposed element is one less load heading to landfill and one less batch of imported material with a heavy carbon cost.
gardens aren’t built from scratch — they’re shaped from layers. often, the quirks you’re tempted to discard are the details that make them unforgettable.
waste not, want not.
