The importance of Gardens
Gardens now make up 10 million acres of land in the UK more than all the nature reserves put together, roughly 15% of the UK land mass. With 27 million gardeners we can make a difference.
from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-importance-of-gardens.html
Our wildlife is in serious decline – let’s give it a helping hand, be sympathetic to wildlife.
Gardens are now a major refuge for wildlife if we manage them accordingly.
A lot of emphasis at this time in growing flowers for pollinators such as Bees and Butterflies. But how about plants and areas for their eggs and larvae to develop for without these there will be no Bees and Butterflies.
We tend to forget about ecology, the big picture! And we are not talking just insects here. We need to think about birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates etc.
Plant native whenever possible, leave areas undisturbed, wild areas, areas for wintering insects, add a water feature, dead wood, the odd rock, diversify, as little or as much as possible depending on your garden size. If big enough try a wild flower meadow?
Put a hole in your fence (for Hedgehogs etc. to move through), put up nest boxes, Bug hotels, feed the birds.
Think about biological controls, Aphids? Encourage Ladybirds! Let nature do the work.
Consider not using poisons, pesticides, herbicides and slug pellets as these have a detrimental effect on the environment and your health.
Cut hedges outside of the breeding season, take caution in using strimmers (a lot of Hedgehogs killed or injured by these) and leave an area around the base of trees not strimmed. Consider Toads and Frogs wintering in compost bins when digging out.
Just be mindful!
Give it time to work, nature is great at balancing with your help.
For further info: Here
Gardens are now a major refuge for wildlife if we manage them accordingly.
A lot of emphasis at this time in growing flowers for pollinators such as Bees and Butterflies. But how about plants and areas for their eggs and larvae to develop for without these there will be no Bees and Butterflies.
We tend to forget about ecology, the big picture! And we are not talking just insects here. We need to think about birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates etc.
Plant native whenever possible, leave areas undisturbed, wild areas, areas for wintering insects, add a water feature, dead wood, the odd rock, diversify, as little or as much as possible depending on your garden size. If big enough try a wild flower meadow?
Put a hole in your fence (for Hedgehogs etc. to move through), put up nest boxes, Bug hotels, feed the birds.
Think about biological controls, Aphids? Encourage Ladybirds! Let nature do the work.
Consider not using poisons, pesticides, herbicides and slug pellets as these have a detrimental effect on the environment and your health.
Cut hedges outside of the breeding season, take caution in using strimmers (a lot of Hedgehogs killed or injured by these) and leave an area around the base of trees not strimmed. Consider Toads and Frogs wintering in compost bins when digging out.
Just be mindful!
Give it time to work, nature is great at balancing with your help.
For further info: Here
Once a gravel drive.....now (courtesy Mark Bradfield)
courtesy Julie Berk
from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-importance-of-gardens.html
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