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Wildlife |
Gardening With Wildlife In Mind |
Wildlife |
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It is important for all of us to find ways of gardening with wildlife in mind, whether we have a tiny town garden or a rolling rural estate. I have always enjoyed the wildlife on my doorstep, and it is quite obvious from the public reaction to books, radio and TV programmes, that enormous numbers of people in the UK feel the same. As a horticulturist who learned his craft in the 1970s, I spent years being taught how to kill things. In those days wildlife in gardens was generally seen as one of three kinds of problem - a pest, a disease or a weed - but I soon learned that a good gardener can turn that attitude on its head and work with nature to create a garden that is beautiful and full of life. By choosing plants carefully, avoiding poisonous chemicals, and tolerating a little decay, even the smallest of gardens can become a safe haven for all manner of native plants and animals. Provide a further boost to the garden habitat with extra food, some nesting boxes and a dependable source of unpolluted water and even more wildlife will visit regularly from the surrounding neighbourhood. It has always seemed obvious to me that wildlife in the garden brings benefits for people, and now there is scientific evidence that close contact with nature close to home can reduce stress and really make us feel better. Equally important is the growing recognition that the way we garden can make an important contribution to the wellbeing of the wildlife itself. Whilst post-war farming practices have seen loss of habitat on a massive scale, in the towns and villages where most people live and work, many kinds of wild plants and animals are doing rather well. The half million hectares of domestic gardens are a major factor in the fortunes of a whole range of species. Garden ponds have been the salvation of the common frog, the toad and the newt. The colourful flowers in our borders, tubs and hanging baskets boost supplies of nectar and pollen for the bees and butterflies. Suburban hedges, worm-rich lawns, chemical free slugs and snails and piles of autumn leaves are all a hedgehog needs to make it happy. Where a neighbourhood network of flowery gardens is set beneath the canopy of trees, like glades in an urban forest, then spectacular species such as sparrow hawks, green woodpeckers and tawny owls are thriving. Gardening with nature is well worth while for the most selfish of reasons. It brings real personal pleasure, from the first song of the dawn chorus to the last bat of the evening. Now, thanks to the advice offered on this website it is possible for all of us to see how just a little extra effort can also make a really significant and lasting difference to the fortunes of the nation's natural heritage. I am lucky enough to live in the westcountry with wildlife an abundance on my doorstep but every one can help attract and care for wildlife in their gardens with simple tips to gardening with wildlife in mind. |
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Page Title : Gardening With Wildlife In Mind |
