The Ethical Gardener: Ideas and actions for greener living

By Thomas Rutter

A thoughtful, practical and inspiring guide to eco-friendly and sustainable gardening in the modern world

While we might feel that our little gardens are insignificant in the grand scheme of things, quite the opposite is true. A single flower in your summer garden may be visited hundreds of times a day by a vast range of pollinators, from honeybees to hummingbirds, drawn to nectar-rich blooms.

If we garden in harmony with nature, and in a way that supports and protects local ecosystems, we can play a valuable role in making our planet healthier, safer and more sustainable for all its inhabitants.

Whether you’re horticulturally minded, environmentally conscious, or new to gardening and wanting to make an intentional and mindful start, there’s something for everyone in this accessible, informative guide to ethical gardening.

With success stories and methods from across the globe, you can learn from mastermind behind the seasonal planting of the High Line in New York, the rebellious act of growing your own food forest from a gardener in Devon, England, or the moss forager in Australia who teaches the value of diverse planting. You’ll be inspired to nurture delicious microgreens on your balcony or windowsill. And you’ll feel ready to make conscious choices when selecting gardening supplies or deciding what plants to grow, no matter what climate or soil you’re working with.

In this beautifully curated and illustrated companion, discover not only a wealth of sustainable gardening wisdom, but also an inspiring sense of peace, solidarity, and hope for the future.

Format: E-book
Release Date: 13 Aug 2026
ISBN: 978-0-00-875663-5

Thomas Rutter is a gardener and garden writer based in London. He trained at The Garden Museum in London and has worked as a gardener on high-profile and historic garden projects across the UK and Italy. He has experience in all aspects of gardening, including productive fruit and vegetable growing and cut-flower growing. Thomas’s hands-on experience provides an impeccable foundation for his writing. He is the author ofThe Garden Though Timeand the co-author ofThe Tree Atlaswith Matthew Collins.

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