Spring is here...well almost!

March is a busy time for sowing seed indoors so keep an eye on seed packets for sowing times. Between now and mid-April is the best time to sow a spring or summer-flowering wildflower meadow. It will attract bees, butterflies, moths and many other insects as well as birds and bats. Seed can be purchased from garden centres or by mail order from specialist wild flower nurseries.

Ivy and holly should be trimmed if necessary before nesting birds arrive and holly blue butterflies lay their eggs. Clip lavender to ensure a good crop of flowers for bees in summer.

Early nectar- and pollen-bearing plants such as daffodils, primroses, lesser celandines and barberry will flower in the coming weeks providing much needed food for insects. Wild animals and flowers (and people) are starting to become more visible in the garden as they emerge from their winter quarters.