\u00a0<\/p>\n
How to avoid losing nature from your garden design<\/h2>\nWildflower meadows are in, but are they realistic?<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Veronica Peerless<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nFor many gardeners, wildlife gardening and growing a wildflower meadow<\/a> are almost synonymous. But on a normal fertile garden soil, making a convincing wildflower meadow is hard work. Some long grass<\/a> is great for all kinds of wildlife, but don\u2019t lose too much sleep if your meadow is long on grass and short on flowers<\/a>.<\/p>\n More on\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n- How to attract wildlife to your garden<\/a><\/li>\n
- Wildlife-friendly container display<\/a><\/li>\n
- Garden ideas on a budget<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Do boxes for wildlife really do the trick?<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nA very mixed bunch. Some, such as bird boxes<\/a> and solitary bee hotels<\/a>, work a treat. Others, such as hedgehog boxes<\/a> and nest boxes for bumblebees, are a waste of time and money. In fact the best thing you can do for hedgehogs is \u2026..<\/p>\nGet rid of your fence and plant a hedge<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Rachel Warne<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nIf you\u2019ve any choice in what divides you from your neighbours, nothing is better for wildlife than a hedge<\/a> \u2013 a terrific habitat in its own right and also completely porous, allowing free movement between adjacent gardens. If your garden has a fence<\/a>, make a hedgehog-sized hole in it \u2013 now!<\/p>\nHere\u2019s more on hedges<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nDon\u2019t worry about making a space for nettles<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Getty<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nCaterpillars of a few common butterflies eat nettles<\/a>, but nettles are one of Britain\u2019s commonest plants already, and there\u2019s absolutely no evidence that planting more does the butterflies<\/a> that eat them any good at all.<\/p>\nDefinitely don\u2019t invest in paving<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Grass growing through cracks in patio<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nKey resources for wildlife are soil<\/a>, plants and water, none of which are provided by paving<\/a>. In fact, it\u2019s hard to think of anything worse for wildlife. So, although it\u2019s hard to enjoy your garden without some paving, keep it to a minimum.<\/p>\nCompost is a no-brainer, just don\u2019t bother turning it<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Rachel Warne<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nAn RHS survey reveals that only a third of gardeners compost their garden waste. But home-made compost is free, almost effortless to make, and helps to feed both your plants and all the unseen but vital life in your soil. Just remember \u2013 whatever anyone else tells you, compost heaps do not need turning.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the best compost for potting<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n15 of the best compost bins to buy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMake sure you have water for mammals and birds<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Britt Willoughby Dyer <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nIf we\u2019re having another long hot summer (or even if we\u2019re not), ensure your garden provides water for birds and mammals to bathe and drink. If you don\u2019t have a pond, at least provide a shallow bird bath<\/a>, and take care that it\u2019s kept both clean and topped up.<\/p>\nIf you can provide a pond<\/a>, however small, dragonflies are almost sure to turn up, but the mature nymphs need emergent vegetation to climb up, so they will only lay eggs if your pond has the right plants. Sweet flag (Acorus<\/em>), irises<\/a>, flowering rush (Butomus umbellatu<\/em>s) and reedmace (Typha<\/em> spp.) are all good choices.<\/p>\nHere\u2019s our guide to saving water in the garden<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nThe best water butts to buy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nPlant up so you have flowers in winter<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Crocus tommasinianus<\/em>, early crocus, February.<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom <\/i><\/span><\/div>\nLate winter and early spring is a perilous time for bumblebees<\/a> as they start to establish new nests. The first cohort of workers are small, which means they can\u2019t fly far and, if there\u2019s a cold snap, aren\u2019t good at coping with low temperatures either. So gardeners should make sure there are lots of bee-friendly flowers in winter and early spring: for example Christmas box, mahonia, winter honeysuckle, willow, Clematis cirrhosa,<\/em><\/a> crocus<\/a>, hellebores<\/a>, lungwort (Pulmonaria<\/em><\/a> spp.), primrose and rosemary.<\/p>\nSqueeze in a tree<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Andrew Montgomery<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nSpace doesn\u2019t allow me to list all the good things that trees<\/a> do for both you and the environment, so every garden, however small, should try to squeeze in at least one. If you\u2019ve only room for one small tree, my personal recommendation is a Victoria plum; great for spring pollinators, nothing beats your own plums fresh from the tree, and don\u2019t get me started on plum crumble.<\/p>\nHere\u2019s\u00a0How to plant a tree<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Make room for herbs<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Getty<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nQuite apart from being a scented and culinary delight, few things are more pollinator-friendly than a herb garden. The mint family, including lavender<\/a>, sage, basil, rosemary, marjoram, thyme and mint itself, are all bee magnets. Chives are hard to beat too, while anything in the carrot family (fennel, dill, parsley, coriander and chervil) is terrific for hoverflies.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2022\/12\/IMG32781-e9754db.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> For many gardeners, wildlife gardening and growing a wildflower meadow<\/a> are almost synonymous. But on a normal fertile garden soil, making a convincing wildflower meadow is hard work. Some long grass<\/a> is great for all kinds of wildlife, but don\u2019t lose too much sleep if your meadow is long on grass and short on flowers<\/a>.<\/p>\n More on\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> A very mixed bunch. Some, such as bird boxes<\/a> and solitary bee hotels<\/a>, work a treat. Others, such as hedgehog boxes<\/a> and nest boxes for bumblebees, are a waste of time and money. In fact the best thing you can do for hedgehogs is \u2026..<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve any choice in what divides you from your neighbours, nothing is better for wildlife than a hedge<\/a> \u2013 a terrific habitat in its own right and also completely porous, allowing free movement between adjacent gardens. If your garden has a fence<\/a>, make a hedgehog-sized hole in it \u2013 now!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s more on hedges<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Caterpillars of a few common butterflies eat nettles<\/a>, but nettles are one of Britain\u2019s commonest plants already, and there\u2019s absolutely no evidence that planting more does the butterflies<\/a> that eat them any good at all.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Key resources for wildlife are soil<\/a>, plants and water, none of which are provided by paving<\/a>. In fact, it\u2019s hard to think of anything worse for wildlife. So, although it\u2019s hard to enjoy your garden without some paving, keep it to a minimum.<\/p>\n An RHS survey reveals that only a third of gardeners compost their garden waste. But home-made compost is free, almost effortless to make, and helps to feed both your plants and all the unseen but vital life in your soil. Just remember \u2013 whatever anyone else tells you, compost heaps do not need turning.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the best compost for potting<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 15 of the best compost bins to buy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n If we\u2019re having another long hot summer (or even if we\u2019re not), ensure your garden provides water for birds and mammals to bathe and drink. If you don\u2019t have a pond, at least provide a shallow bird bath<\/a>, and take care that it\u2019s kept both clean and topped up.<\/p>\n If you can provide a pond<\/a>, however small, dragonflies are almost sure to turn up, but the mature nymphs need emergent vegetation to climb up, so they will only lay eggs if your pond has the right plants. Sweet flag (Acorus<\/em>), irises<\/a>, flowering rush (Butomus umbellatu<\/em>s) and reedmace (Typha<\/em> spp.) are all good choices.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s our guide to saving water in the garden<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The best water butts to buy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Late winter and early spring is a perilous time for bumblebees<\/a> as they start to establish new nests. The first cohort of workers are small, which means they can\u2019t fly far and, if there\u2019s a cold snap, aren\u2019t good at coping with low temperatures either. So gardeners should make sure there are lots of bee-friendly flowers in winter and early spring: for example Christmas box, mahonia, winter honeysuckle, willow, Clematis cirrhosa,<\/em><\/a> crocus<\/a>, hellebores<\/a>, lungwort (Pulmonaria<\/em><\/a> spp.), primrose and rosemary.<\/p>\n Space doesn\u2019t allow me to list all the good things that trees<\/a> do for both you and the environment, so every garden, however small, should try to squeeze in at least one. If you\u2019ve only room for one small tree, my personal recommendation is a Victoria plum; great for spring pollinators, nothing beats your own plums fresh from the tree, and don\u2019t get me started on plum crumble.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s\u00a0How to plant a tree<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Quite apart from being a scented and culinary delight, few things are more pollinator-friendly than a herb garden. The mint family, including lavender<\/a>, sage, basil, rosemary, marjoram, thyme and mint itself, are all bee magnets. Chives are hard to beat too, while anything in the carrot family (fennel, dill, parsley, coriander and chervil) is terrific for hoverflies.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nDo boxes for wildlife really do the trick?<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2020\/10\/Bee-brick-62f61e3.jpg?quality=90&resize=413%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nGet rid of your fence and plant a hedge<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/01\/charlottemolesworthsalvage1405-da37e98.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Don\u2019t worry about making a space for nettles<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2022\/09\/GettyImages-501870303-6ef7cb7.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Definitely don\u2019t invest in paving<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-1176223018-7508139.jpg?quality=90&resize=618%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Compost is a no-brainer, just don\u2019t bother turning it<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/01\/charlottemolesworthsalvage301-273789f.jpg?quality=90&crop=12px%2C2001px%2C3816px%2C2542px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Make sure you have water for mammals and birds<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2022\/09\/IMG0289-9990d0c.jpg?quality=90&crop=2px%2C378px%2C796px%2C530px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Plant up so you have flowers in winter<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2022\/03\/RBD180220_295_1-ee5a126.jpg?quality=90&crop=7px%2C2800px%2C4466px%2C2975px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Squeeze in a tree<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2019\/09\/GILLTreePlantingCard-001792-aa57c9d.jpg?quality=90&crop=5px%2C849px%2C2694px%2C1794px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Make room for herbs<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-527125684-c3d4e66.jpg?quality=90&resize=600%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>