GARDENING and creating outside spaces with wildlife in mind is now essential going forward.
And Rebecca Bevan, who works for the National Trust – has just written a book called Nature Friendly Gardening.
She said: “Even the smallest outside space contribute to a mosaic created by the across the neighbourhood.
“Your could be providing the overwintering spot for the newts that breed in your neighbours pond in Spring, while their is the nesting spot for the blue tits which clean your roses of aphids.
“Even if all you have is a , you may well be hosting a healthy population of soil-dwelling grubs, which in turn might be helping to support or starlings.
“If it’s lumpy with anthills, so much the better – ants make up the majority of the diet of the beautiful green which is resident in Britain all year round.”;
Her seven top tips for nature gardening are:
PLANT A FLOWERING SHRUB OR TREE
Even the tiniest will have more flowers on it than a whole border of small plants. It uses the empty vertical space in a garden and hopefully provides places for birds to perch or even nest.
PLANT LESS POTS AND HANGING BASKETS
Put more plants directly into the ground. Plants growing in soil need no extra water, feed, pots or potting compost and will last for years.
Rebecca’s favourite Perennials include...
- Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) – A native plant that grows well in gardens and seeds itself around. Popular with bumblebees. B&Q is currently selling Mr Fothergill’s Oh Sow Simple Foxy Mix Foxglove flower seeds.
- Marjoram – (Origanum vulgare) Loved by pollinating insects, tolerant of sun or shade and almost any soil and useful in salads and cooking.
- Lungwort – (Pulmonaria officinalis) Great in shade with attractive spotty foliage for many months and flowers in early spring which are great for bees.
- Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile) Very structural plant which flowers in late summer and has seed heads that last through winter.
- Sea holly (Eryngium) Great for a dry, sunny spot, these lovely spiky flowers attract many insects and their long-lasting seedheads are popular with birds.
CHOOSE A FEW NATIVE WILDFLOWERS
Hedgerow plants like cow parsley and red campion look great in gardens where you can admire them up close and they will attract native creatures.
DITCH THE WEEDKILLERS
Especially on your . Every weed is a wildflower which can help boost biodiversity. Clover and daisies in lawns can also keep them greener in dry weather. Less lovely weeds can be easily removed with a handfork or patio weeder for between paving slabs.
MOW YOUR LAWN LESS OFTEN
Once every 3 weeks will allow the grass to get lusher and some wildflowers to bloom.
STOP TAKING WASTE TO THE TIP
Stop taking your garden waste to the tip. Make a compost heap to recycle the nutrients and feed your soil or just make a pile for creatures to live in.
LOOK AFTER YOUR SOIL
It’s a complex system of micro-organisms which recycle nutrients, help keep in air and water and feed plant roots. Too much digging or trampling can hurt it so keep it covered with perennial plants and stick to the paths.
