Sustainability

Working with sustainable systems:

Sustainability

We believe in the power of nature and do our very best to protect, celebrate and work positively with it. These are just a few of the ways we have integrated sustainable systems within our business.


Plants:

Native plants from Future forests

We promote native trees, plants for wildlife and pollinators and heritage varieties.


Our Building:

Future Forests sustainable buildings

Our distinctive Future Forests main building is proudly designed and constructed by Christy Collard (Maria’s talented brother) from local wood and has been an innovative way of testing natural building methods and materials. Come visit and see for yourself! See more of Christy’s work here www.christycollard.com


Responsible sourcing:

Responsible sourcing

Buying in Ireland to support local growers is always our first choice. We import when we can’t source from within Ireland. We do this to help sustain the Irish nursery sector and to play our part in protecting indigenous plant health.

Water:

Future Forests Water Supply

We harvest rainwater and have a series of gravity-fed reservoirs on our grounds which irrigate our gardens and nursery.

Peat Free:

From October 2017 we have pledged to only use a Peat Free Potting mix for our own potting.

Nursery Care:

Hand weeding at Future forests

All our nursery beds & paths are hand weeded without the use of systemic weed killers.

 

Packaging:

Recycled Packaging

We use recycled cardboard and local straw. We aim to be as efficient as possible with all the materials we use.

Local needs:

We are responding to the Irish context, promoting native plants and advising on sustainable planting solutions based on the needs of specific geography, climate and location.