Old logs, branches, weeds and rubble all can mount up in the yard. But before you toss out everything in the trash, it might be time to rethink what you consider garbage. The Royal Horticultural Society hosts flower shows around England, with London’s Chelsea Flower Show being the most well known in the U.S., and its shows earlier this year offered plenty of ideas for using waste materials to build a beautiful space for both humans and wildlife to enjoy. 1. Logs If a tree has fallen or been cut down in your yard, don’t rush to get rid of the logs. Dead wood not only provides a fantastic habitat for wildlife but can be used as a raised bed. Designer Zoe Claymore planted perennials in some rotted logs for her show garden at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival . The result was similar to a permaculture technique known as hügelkultur , in which dead wood is used to create a raised bed. Decaying wood is much better at retaining moisture than soil and provides pl...
