Our gardens are full of potential to help improve our local environments, make them safer and more appealing for users and more beneficial to local wildlife.
A benign environment is essential to enhance biodiversity and provide for a more successful and sustainable future.
Here are some simple and quick tips to get started. Small steps matter and in our own individual and modest efforts can and do make a difference:
Green Slush Fund
Here’s a very effective, safe and easy way to compost your weeds without fear of germinating seeds. Simply dump the weeds in a bucket of water and set aside for a few weeks until the weeds have become well rotted. Strain and save the liquid which makes an excellent plant feed and the well rotted weeds can be safely placed on the compost heap.
Rodent Free
Compost heaps being generally warm and dry environments can attract rodents, the risk can be significantly reduced by avoiding not putting any cooked food or meat in the compost.
Enhance biodiversity
Create some micro environments to attract more garden friendly guardians. Hedgehogs (eats slugs), place a few timber logs and part cover with some leaves to make an ideal den for the garden hedgehog.
Similarly an old brick or log will provide sanctuary for our wonderful ladybirds which prey extensively on aphids.
Singing for your supper
We should all be doing more to support our native birds, many of whom are endangered by loss of habitat. Bring birdsong back into your garden, feeding regularly (seed, scraps or fat balls) and providing a few nest boxes will have immediate and lasting effect.
Avoid falling foul of Fowl
Hens may make for a wonderful sight throughout the garden, indeed many gardeners enjoy much fun observing hens foraging for food and it’s wonderful to have your own daily source for fresh eggs. But the sight of foraging fowl isn’t always what it’s cracked out to be.
If left unsupervised, hens are well capable destroying most vegetable gardens and eventually lawn areas. So beware, nature can be destructive.
Get your garden buzzing
What a wonderful sight to see all those wonderful nectar gathering pollinating flying insects (butterflies, bees and hover flies) ply their trade in your planted borders. A little effort can make such a difference. Choose flowering plants which are more beneficial and attractive, select nectar and pollen rich plants. Popular options include lavenders, scabiosas and
dahlias which will make a great difference to attracting more pollinating insects to your garden.
