Empower homebuyers to create sustainable gardens.
A simple, digital, developer-partnership programme that helps new homeowners establish biodiverse, sustainable gardens. This supports developer BwN, CSR and ESG objectives through lasting stewardship.
This is the Self-Sustaining Garden programme.
Download Programme Overview pdf
The Problem
Beautiful show-homes, empty gardens.
Most new homeowners want their gardens to thrive — but few know where to start. Without support, lawns die, borders fail, and frustration sets in.
For developers, that means:
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Poor occupant experience and brand damage
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Increased demand on customer-care and management teams
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Declining landscape quality across completed sites
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Missed opportunities to align with BNG, S106 and wider sustainability goals
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Lost Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG credibility
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Weak evidence of long-term environmental and social stewardship
Major industry surveys from HBF and NHBC highlight that post-handover satisfaction remains a priority for housebuilders — yet garden outcomes often remain overlooked.
The Solution: The Self-Sustaining Garden Programme
Value for Homebuyers
- Buyers get an online learning package guiding them step-by-step to design, plant and care for a biodiverse, resilient, low-maintenance garden.
- They create a garden that gives more than it takes.
Value for Developers
We help developers stay ahead of evolving sustainability expectations. Designed with Buiding with Nature (BwN) and future standards in mind - such as the RHS' Garden Performance Certificate (GPC).
- Supports Building with Nature (BwN) principles - providing developers with a credible resident engagement mechanism that reinforeces the long-term success of site-wide green infrastructure
- Strengthens post-occupation stewardship – helps fulfil BNG and S106 intent by guiding residents to maintain soils, planting and SuDS-friendly gardens after handover.
- Adds social value – Positive impacts for biodiversity, wellbeing and education within ESG and CSR reporting.
- Supports nutrient neutrality and SuDS goals - Promotes low-input, soil-first gardening to reduce runoff.
- Reduces maintenance and complaints – Engaged residents take ownership, easing pressure on customer-care teams.
- Predictable Costs – Partnership model designed for cost certainty
- Positive Optics – A simple, visible story for planners and partners: homes that support biodiversity beyond completion.
- Provides a clear narrative for ESG and CSR reporting, demonstrating commitment to long-term resident engagement.
- Ideal for SME and regional developers seeking to differentiate on quality
- Enhances brand reputation
How it works
A streamlined process that gives every homeowner expert garden guidance and developers lasting sustainability value — with zero admin overhead.
Homeowners get:
- A seamless, fully resourced online learning experience
- Online support for garden queries from our expert team
- A simple, low-maintenance system
- An edible landscape, reducing food miles and bills
- Physical and mental health benefits
- A time-saving, biodiverse garden
- Planting plans, soil test guide, weed management guides, seasonal calendars & more
- Practical, visual learning NOT theory and waffle
- A garden that GIVES more than it TAKES
Beautiful. Edible. EASY.
Watch the homeowners trailer >
The online course to help create a thriving, low-maintenance garden
See the course from a homeowner perpective
Endorsement
“Mike's approach is deeply rooted in thoughtful, practical sustainability, with an eye for design that makes regenerative systems both effective and accessible. He brings a rare attention to detail that ensures solutions aren’t just good ideas—they’re well-executed, resilient, and impactful. His work has the potential to inspire and empower many.”
★★★★★
Javan Bernakevitch
All Points Design / Oregon State University
Meet Mike - Founder, Garden Footprint
Early career in construction project management, including S106 public consultation with Davis Langdon (now AECOM).
BSc Geography (Climatology and Ecosystems). Teacher of Geography and Gardening to 2000+ students.
Certified Permaculture Designer through Oregon State University. Commended by world-leading permaculture educator Javan Bernakevitch.
Mike founded Garden Footprint to help create biodiverse, edible, low-maintenance gardens that improve well-being and environmental health. The Self-Sustaining Garden programme brings this expertise directly to new homeowners, de-risking your landscaping commitments and strengthening your green credentials.
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"Easy to follow, full of real-world advice and gave me the confidence to get started."
- Hana, Wicklow, Ireland
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I am so glad I took this course, It had everything I needed; structure, a healthy gardening mindset, money saving ideas and lots of additional resources. This course enables you to take action immediately to create a more self sustaining garden, thanks to practical plans to do just what the course promises; Create a designed garden yourself that all can enjoy and that isn’t a tonne of work year in, year out.
I learnt more from this quick to get through course than years of trial and error (and heartbreak).
Easy to listen to, bite sized info that you can understand and apply directly to your own garden. After doing The Self Sustaining Garden course I have much more practical knowledge, to not only get my garden on track, but help with friends gardens too.
The Self Sustaining Garden was easy to absorb and I finished it quickly. I enjoyed the short informative content that focuses on the practical and found myself looking forward to the next module. I know I can go back to modules when I need them and the resources really are so helpful to have. I feel like I can now reinvent my garden for the site I have and create new, well thought out elements as well.
Hana, Wicklow, Ireland
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"Fun to watch and so informative. Mike has a lovely way of explaining everything!"
- Jenny, Sussex, UK
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"The course is very beginner friendly and a great start to understanding how to create a garden that works for you."
- Dee Dee, beginner gardener, London
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I first got into gardening during the lockdown of 2020 - I was still working as a frontline worker and wanted to find a hobby that would take my mind off the current situation. I was essentially winging it with no prior knowledge or research and it was only until 2025 that I decided I wanted to take things further and actually dedicate some time to research and taking courses. This is where I found The Self-Sustaining Garden Course that Mike created. The course is very beginner friendly and is a great start to really understanding how to create a garden that works for you. A great wealth of knowledge has gone into the preparation of this course and you can really tell that Mike is dedicated to his craft. What stands out to me is that the videos are broken down into a few minutes each so it is easy to watch and take breaks in-between. I really recommend this course for those that want to expand their knowledge and get to grips with all areas of their garden.
Dee Dee, London
