Down to Earth: How to use reclaimed materials in your garden

Using reclaimed materials in the garden is not only kinder to the planet, it adds “texture, history, and soul”, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker

In an age where there is rightly a focus on the demise of our climate and the rapidly rising costs in our general day-to-day lives, using reclaimed materials in your garden offers an eco-friendly and budget-savvy approach.

Professionally, I tend not to incorporate reclaimed materials into the gardens I design for clients, due to the contemporary style they request within their briefs, but I am starting to get more requests than previously for naturalistic gardens - and these, in particular, are the perfect situation to use reclaimed materials.

Now, seeing as this month’s magazine is a special Secondhand September edition, I should probably be using the term ‘secondhand materials’, but within the horticultural/landscaping industry the word ‘reclaimed’ is used instead of ‘secondhand’. I don’t know why - maybe for snobbish reasons? - but nevertheless, let’s go with reclaimed to avoid causing any offence.

So, why use reclaimed materials? Old bricks, timber, metal and stone are often salvaged from demolition sites, skips, or salvage yards. These items can carry a weathered beauty and durability that newer materials often lack. More importantly, reusing them helps divert useful resources from landfills, lowering your garden’s environmental footprint.

‘How can I use reclaimed materials in my own garden?’ I hear you ask. Well, worn bricks or irregular flagstones can be repurposed into rustic paths and patios. Their imperfect edges and aged patina can create a natural, lived-in feel.

Mixing different textures, like combining bricks with gravel or reclaimed slate, can add interest and contrast. For my 2018 RHS Chelsea Garden ‘Skin Deep’, I created a slate path that weaved in between giant glass reinforced concrete blocks, which created a wonderful textural contrast.

Raised beds and edging can also be created using reclaimed materials. Old railway sleepers, scaffold boards, or even corrugated metal can be transformed into raised beds. These materials are sturdy and often cheaper than buying new timber.

Reclaimed bricks or roof tiles also work well as edging for borders or vegetable patches. For fences and screens, salvaged wooden doors, pallets, or wrought iron gates can be used to make striking boundary features or privacy screens. When arranged creatively, they add height, structure, and a touch of storytelling to your garden.

Personally, I would tread carefully when using old bathtubs, sinks or repurposed barrels as water features, but then, who am I to judge?

Incorporating reclaimed materials isn’t just a nod to sustainability, it’s a way to infuse your garden with texture, history, and soul. With a little imagination and effort, yesterday’s waste becomes today’s beauty.

See robertbarkerdesign.com for more.