Wildlife Gardening with Paul Peace

Wildlife Gardening Calendar

2007-03-02T17:08:00.000Z

Here you will find a full year's wildlife gardening calendar!

It is a timely, week-by-week account of the plants and animals you are likely to see, as well as practical tips on creating, managing and improving a wildlife garden.

Thanks to everyone who has followed the wildlife gardening blog each week. I hope you will continue to use it as we cycle through another year and that new wildlife gardeners will discover it.

It's a huge resource and I have really enjoyed writing it and making a contribution to wildlife conservation.

It's time to sign off now. If there are any publishers out there who would like to publish my work please get in touch.

Happy wildlife gardening!
Paul Peace

Multiplication - it's not maths, honest

2007-02-20T09:16:00.000Z

February is a good time to divide wildlife-friendly perennials, such as golden rod (Solidago canadensis), knapweeds (Centaurea scabiosa), ice plant (Sedum spectabile and other Sedums), yarrow (Achillea Spp.), lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) and michaelmas daisy (Aster novi-belgii). These plants will provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, hoverflies and many other insects. Michaelmas daisies should be replanted in a new spot every 2 to 3 years as they deplete nutrients quickly.

Watch out for frog and toad spawn. Although both are translucent jelly with dark spots, they are easy to distinguish. Frog spawn is laid in a mass of spheres and toad spawn is laid in strips. Frog spawn is normally laid on the surface. It sometimes dries out in garden ponds as the water level can drop quickly, leaving it stranded on top of pond plants. You could always rescue it. Toads lay their spawn more deeply and tangle it around aquatic plants.

Who are we to judge wildlife in the garden?

2007-02-11T10:27:00.000Z

Birds are still hungry at this time of year as they wait for buds to develop and the insect life to return with the warmer weather. So many birds make their way to bird tables and feeders. Here, they become more vulnerable to predation. Maybe you will witness a sparrowhawk catch its prey.

It always seems to stir up the emotions, often negative, when someone sees a sparrowhawk catch a smaller bird to eat. Of course, it's all about human value judgements; few of us care so much about a bird eating an insect.

This tells us something about our values towards wildlife more generally. We mostly value large animals over small ones (compare badgers versus woodlice), cute animals over ugly ones (squirrels vs. spiders), welcome ones over unwelcome ones (butterflies vs. slugs), and safe ones over unsafe ones (birds vs wasps).

Our challenge is to celebrate the diversity and respect all our garden wildlife equally.

Wakey wakey time for plants and animals in the wildlife garden

2007-02-04T19:42:00.000Z

An awakening has begun in the plant and animal world. The first bulb flowers create a mass of colour this month. Snowdrops, winter aconites and crocuses are brightening up Sheffield's gardens - and they have been for a while due to the unseasonal weather.

Along with hazel catkins, they will provide early nectar and pollen for insects that have the courage to emerge at this time of year. Non-native plants, such as Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) and the wonderfully scented Bodnant Viburnum (Viburnum bodnantense), will also contribute to the increasing number of late winter pit stops for insects.

Some ladybird species are beginning to emerge now and brimstone and comma butterflies may be seen soon. Newts will also come out of hibernation this month or next.

The mating season is beginning for a number of wild animals, including badgers, mice, rabbits and frogs. Meanwhile, bullfinches come to nibble the flower buds of fruit trees, especially cherries.

Frozen balls - it's a seedy business this 'ere wildlife gardening lark!

2007-01-28T11:56:00.000Z

This is a good time of year to order wild flower and grass seed. It will be one less thing to worry about in spring when our time is more precious in the garden. Please remember how important it is not to alter wild areas by sowing or collecting seeds!

Ponds are increasingly likely to freeze over at this time of year. This causes two problems. One, animals are unable to drink and wash, and two, noxious gases from decomposition are locked in and essential gases locked out.

The solution is to float a piece of wood or a ball on the surface and remove it after freezing to leave some open water. Pour hot water over it if necessary. Avoid brightly-coloured or reflective materials as these might frighten wildlife. However, a ball isn't a good idea if you have pets or small children who might reach for it.

The serious side to armchair birding

2007-01-21T14:54:00.000Z

The annual nationwide RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place this weekend. Everyone is encouraged to spend just 1 hour counting birds in the garden (or area of park, etc). 235,000 people took part last year.

All you have to do is count the maximum number of a particular kind of bird in your garden at any one time. Counting the maximum number prevents the same birds being counted repeatedly.

This relaxing and enjoyable armchair survey helps the RSPB map the various species of garden bird. Year by year comparisons of the number of recorded species provides us with general trends. Previous results have provided important information, such as a dramatic decline in the numbers of the once common tree sparrow and starling.

For further details, including instructions and photos to help with identification of various species, last year's results, or to submit your results, go to: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

3 styles of wildlife gardening to enjoy...

2007-01-15T07:56:00.000Z

There are three main styles of wildlife gardening. 'Gardening by animal' is the most common. Here, the gardener likes to see or help a particular wild animal so they adjust their garden to make it welcoming. Animals all require food and water, and places to breed and shelter. So, to attract garden birds you would put out bird food and water and install a nest box.

'Gardening by plant' is the second option. This is all about choosing wildflowers that will grow in your soil type and aspect. This provides an extra home for wild flowers that are under pressure in the wild as well as providing food and shelter for wild animals.

The third option, 'Gardening by habitat', involves recreating mini versions of wild habitats, such as a pond, meadow, woodland edge or hedgerow. The habitat will benefit many animals and plants. A garden pond will attract frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies and pond skates, as well as providing a home to marsh marigolds, yellow flag and water buttercup.

Strange noises in the garden!

2007-01-07T18:48:00.001Z

Barks, yells, unearthly whines and shrieks - strange goings on down the bottom of the garden. But what are they? Chances are they come from foxes.

The fox mating season usually begins in January or February. The timing is such that the cubs will be born as early as possible in spring when the milder weather arrives. This gives them plenty of time to mature before the colder weather sets in again. Timing of the mating is crucial in another sense too. It must occur during just 3 days when the vixen (female) is capable of conceiving.

Foxes mate back-to-back, a position achieved by the dog (male) lifting a hind leg over the vixen's back. They may stay in this rather uncomfortable-sounding position for an hour! Although foxes are often thought to be monogamous, latest research shows they are more promiscuous in areas where there is a high density of foxes.

There's still life left in the old Christmas tree!

2006-12-31T21:14:00.000Z

It's that time of year again when tired old Christmas trees are dropping their needles and need to be disposed of. Fortunately, there are some good alternatives to sending them to the landfill.

The easiest method of disposal is to cut off the branches with a saw and secateurs. The branches and trunk are then left in a heap in a quiet corner. This provides a great habitat for wildlife such as woodlice, centipedes, beetles and snails. Wrens and robins might be seen weaving their way through the pile for morsels.

The needles (and branches if you can chip them) are also good for mulching around plants. This will keep the weeds down and help to keep the frost at bay.

As a last resort, take the tree (and preferably neighbour's trees in the same journey) to a recycling centre for shredding and composting. Cutting off the branches makes them much easier to transport than a whole tree!

10 New Year's Resolution ideas for the truly green-fingered gardener

2006-12-27T10:48:00.000Z

Replace inorganic fertilisers with organic ones
Use alternatives to chemical insecticides, fungicides and herbicides
Use alternatives to peat or peat-based composts or pots
Clean feeding and drinking stations regularly
Avoid throwing garden waste into natural areas
Compost garden and kitchen waste
Avoid offering foods to wildlife that contain additives such as salt
Reduce your use of electric, water, plastics and manufactured goods
Reuse materials such as gravel, bricks and paving slabs
Recycle unwanted plastic plant pots

Here's to a very happy New Year for gardeners and wildlife everywhere!

Seasonal plants and treats down the wildlife garden

2006-12-16T11:07:00.000Z

Holly is a marvellous shrub for wildlife. Holly blue butterfly caterpillars feed on the buds. Birds feed on the insect congregation and berries, and find nest sites in the protective cover. The leaves take some time to rot and being prickly, they are often left by gardeners, providing ground cover for spiders and harvestmen.

Towards the end of its flowering season Christmas rose (Helleborus Spp.) provides a very early source of nectar to bees and honeybees.

The native cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) and small cranberry (Vaccinium microcarpum) have pinkish-red flowers that serve nectar to insects in June-August. They require an acidic soil. If you are lowering the pH artificially, use manure rather than peat as the latter is harvested from natural boglands.

As it's Christmas, why not spoil the birds by offering some different nuts instead of boring old peanuts! Offer dried fruit too. Whole foods are best - avoid foods with salt and additives.

What's hot and what's not in the wildlife garden?

2006-12-10T20:16:00.000Z

This is an ideal time to clean most nest boxes. Few birds nest at this time of year, young birds are no longer returning home, and inspections for next year’s nesting have not yet begun. It is sensible to wear gloves. Any contents, such as nesting materials and unhatched eggs, or chicks that didn’t make it, should be removed. Chemicals are unnecessary – simply wash the box out carefully with boiling water.

Birds lose heat quickly, particularly during the cold nights, so they need plenty to eat. Yet in winter the seeds and berries are soon exhausted and the ground is often frosty, making it difficult for them to obtain food. If you stopped feeding the birds during the autumn booty, this would be a good time to begin feeding again. Perhaps you stored some fruit, berries and nuts in early autumn. These could be offered now - especially during bad weather.

Going really wild with your festive shopping

2006-12-04T09:54:00.000Z

There are some really interesting Christmas gifts available to gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts.

The keen gardener knows the importance of natural pest control. They will enjoy the benefits of attracting ladybirds and lacewings to feast on aphids, as well as birds to pick off caterpillars. A ladybird or lacewing hibernation house or a bird box for blue tits would be ideal.

Children love growing wildlife-friendly plants such as sunflowers. There are lots of DVDs, books and CDs available on the subject of British wildlife and for a multi-purpose present you could buy a camera or binoculars.

For the person who has everything you could buy a hedgehog hibernaculum, bumblebee nest, mouse mansion, bat box (pictured), mason bee nester, or a book on garden beetles! An unusual and interesting gift for a wildlife enthusiast would be a year's membership of a wildlife charity.

Wildlife gifts can be purchased from wildlife organisations, online retailers, garden centres and book shops.

The urban potential of wildlife gardening

2006-11-26T14:07:00.000Z

It has been estimated that 23% of the area of urban Sheffield is covered by domestic gardens (about 33 square kilometres). There are approximately 25,000 ponds, 350,000 trees, and 45,000 bird nest boxes in gardens across the city (University of Sheffield’s ‘Biodiversity in Gardens’ project).

Taken together, Sheffield’s gardens are a nature reserve on a truly massive scale and each of us can make big difference individually and collectively. We can provide wild animals with essential living quarters, places to eat, drink, rest and reproduce. Plants, fungi, ferns, lichens, algae and so on also find a welcome refuge in gardens.

Our gardens form a patchwork of green spaces and merge to form wildlife corridors where wildlife can pass between various habitats around the city.

All we need to do to help wildlife further is make sure our gardens are safe e.g. by avoiding chemicals and litter, and welcoming e.g. through appropriate planting and maintenance.

How to make pea soup from garden leaves!

2006-11-21T10:35:00.000Z

As with most forms of gardening, wildlife gardening requires us to plan ahead. One task this month that could pay dividends next year is to remove fallen leaves from the pond. As leaves rot they release minerals and nutrients. Next spring you could end up with pea soup if the nutrients encourage an algal bloom.

If leaves are left year on year they also form a thick layer of detritus at the bottom of the pond. Although this smelly mud is an important micro habitat, and a small amount should always be present, in severe cases it can silt up the pond, losing depth. Then, as the pond becomes shallower, it offers fewer habitats for animals, plants and microorganisms that require different depths. A silted up small garden pond also becomes an unstable habitat, freezing solid in winter, and becoming warmer than usual in summer. A falling water level due to evaporation also becomes more serious.

Pruning, dividing and planting some wildlife-friendly plants

2006-11-15T11:18:00.000Z

The native 'old man’s beard' or traveller's joy' (Clematis vitalba), as it is variously known, doesn't need pruning to encourage flowers but if it is challenging your patience you can cut it back by two-thirds this month. It is best left bushy, however, as it is a good nesting site for birds.

Ivies that are threatening to grow into undesirable places such as around windows and gutters can be pruned once flowering has finished. Go easy on them, however, as they are a favourite hibernation site for insects. Birds will nest in larger, more mature specimens and spiders and harvestmen also enjoy the shelter, as well as the plethora of insects that dwell there.

Snakeshead fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) bulbs can be planted now. They will produce beautiful, waxy, nodding bells around April. The nectar and pollen will attract butterflies, bees & bumblebees. Between now and February is ideal for dividing lily-of-the-valley, ensuring plenty of pollen for bees in spring.

Ladybird and lacewing lodges - perennial stems and plastic bottles

2006-11-06T08:30:00.000Z

With the arrival of autumn frosts the borders become littered with dry, brown perennial stems. It can be tempting for the tidy gardener to rush out and cut them down yet there is good reason to leave them. Apart from the fact they often look pretty when frost crystals form on them and glisten in the sun, they are also a winter refuge for hibernating insects. A number of these insects are great natural pest controllers in the summer months, especially aphid-eating ladybirds and lacewings.

Artificial refuges for insects can be made by cutting the ends off a plastic bottle to make a waterproof tube and stuffing this with hollow stems or bamboo. One end of each stem is usually plugged, e.g. with plasticine, to make it warmer and drier. The insect lodge is placed horizontally and out of sight in a shrub or hedge.

Autumn leaves: friend or foe?

2006-10-30T08:06:00.000Z

Autumn leaf fall is very good news for animals such as ladybirds, hedgehogs and insects. They need a warm, dry place to hibernate or shelter. Consider creating a leaf pile in a quiet, sheltered corner or under evergreen shrubs.

Alternatively, leaving leaves where they fall will improve the soil and provide food for invertebrates such as worms. If tidiness is important you could stack the leaves in a covered mesh bin and make some leaf-mould for use as a soil conditioner or mulch.

Leaf fall is not such good news for small wildlife ponds. Decomposing leaves can release toxins and noxious gases as well as removing vital oxygen from the water (stagnation). Aquatic animals can be poisoned or starved of oxygen. So leaves need to be removed or netting stretched across the pond to catch them. Remember to leave some access for frogs and other wildlife, such as birds wanting to drink and wash.

When hibernation becomes cremation

2006-10-23T10:05:00.000Z

The temperature is falling and food is becoming more scarce. In response to this many animals hibernate or slow their activity to conserve energy through the leaner months. Hibernation is a form suspended animation brought on by some dramatic physiological changes including a drop in body temperature and slowing of the heart and breathing. For example, a hedgehog’s body temperature will fall to between 1 and 10°C. It’s heart slows from 190 beats per minute to just 20 and it will draw breath only once every few minutes.

To wake a hibernating animal suddenly can be fatal. Precious energy reserves are used to kick-start the metabolism in response to the perceived danger. It is therefore best to leave wood and leaf piles undisturbed until spring. Avoid building bonfires before November 5th. You could well unwittingly cremate a hedgehog that has decided to make its winter home there.

Win-win solutions: combining the interests of people and wildlife

2006-10-15T19:20:00.000Z

Successful wildlife gardens combine the interests of people with the needs of wildlife so let's look at some versatile shrubs that will keep us all happy.

Consider planting the native blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) with its delicate spring flowers that serve up nectar for many insects. Bodnant viburnum (Viburnum bodnantense) sports beautifully fragrant flowers which provide a rare source of winter nectar. Buddleia davidii is often called butterfly bush because butterflies simply can't resist its pretty, scented flowers. Lavender (Lavandula) has a glorious smell and provides nectar for bees, meadow brown and white butterflies, and seeds for goldfinches. The culinary herb rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has a wonderful aroma and attracts hoverflies, bumblebees and honey bees.

Why not be really clever and plant firethorn (Pyracantha) or barberry (Berberis)? They display beautiful autumn colour, their thorns deter burglars and afford birds nesting protection from cats, their flowers yield nectar for insects, and their berries will be eaten by birds!

Fruits for a future - sowing native tree seeds

2006-10-07T11:28:00.000Z

Why not have some fun growing native (British) trees and shrubs such as oak, ash and rowan? Native trees usually support far more wildlife than exotic and cultivated ones. For example, the native oak is home to 284 species of insect while the introduced holm oak only supports 2.

Many seeds and berries can be collected this month for sowing in pots or directly in the ground. Collect only as many seeds as you need (preferably from gardens and parks rather than wilder areas), leaving plenty for germination and to be eaten by wild animals such as mice and squirrels. Collect in a breathable bag such as paper, rather than plastic which results in condensation and mould.

The seeds and nuts mostly come all at once at this time of year so squirrels may be seen frantically burying them, storing the bounty while they can. They will return to unearth the food in less plentiful times next year.

A fruity feast for our feathered friends

2006-10-01T15:29:00.000Z

Birds are enjoying the feast of apples, plums and other fruits which provide a welcome and nutritious change to their summer diet. Leave some fruit on trees and the ground for them as well as small mammals such as mice and voles, wasps and invertebrates. The unseasonably warm weather of recent weeks has kept the insect population high, also providing food for birds, and perhaps giving bats reason to delay hibernation.

Nectar sources are diminishing at this time of year so insects congregate on the few remaining concentrations of nectar such as michaelmas daisy and ice plant. The flowers of ivies also provide late nectar for insects including butterflies, bees and moths. Ivy is an excellent wildlife plant because it also offers hibernation sites for butterflies later in the year, as well as food for holly blue butterfly caterpillars and nesting sites for birds next year.

Boxing clever - real estate for wildlife

2006-09-24T10:40:00.000Z

Wild animals have the same basic needs as we do - to eat, drink, reproduce and rest. It is the latter two that nest boxes cater for and now is a good time to install them. Reproduction and resting require somewhere sheltered from rain, frost, wind and sun, and protected against predators. With diminishing natural nest sites, nest boxes are an increasingly important resource.

Holed bird boxes for tits and open-fronted boxes for robins and flycatchers are the most familiar but there are boxes for many other birds including starlings and owls, as well as 'sparrow terraces' with 3 adjoining boxes so they can nest communally. Reproducing mason bees, bumblebees (pictured), bats and hedgehogs are catered for too.

For resting animals (including hibernation) you can obtain boxes for butterflies, ladybirds, lacewings, hedgehogs, bats and frogs.

Some boxes serve both purposes e.g. bird, bat and hedgehog boxes are used for reproduction and resting. Nest boxes are available from wildlife organisations, online wildlife stores and garden centres.

Sedum spectabile - the September spectacle!

2006-09-16T18:50:00.000Z

Insects, including bees and butterflies, are flocking to the lovely pink flowers of ice plant (Sedum spectabile) in search of late nectar. The seed heads might be taken later by goldfinches. In spring the bracts around the stem will form a water reservoir which attracts insects and small birds.

Some bird species are more noticeable again after lying low for their summer moult. The quiet may be more prolonged for other species as they forego the bird table in favour of the bountiful supply of natural food in the countryside. Others have left or are leaving for warmer continents such as swifts, swallows, pied flycatchers, willow warblers and some blackcaps.

Year-round bird feeding is recommended by leading bird welfare organisations. However, there is no need to overdo it in early autumn. This is a time of plenty, with a variety of natural foods on offer in gardens such as insects, seeds, nuts and fruit.

Mason bees video now on Google Video

2006-09-10T08:51:00.000Z

Click here to watch mason bee video

When should I do pond maintenance?

2006-09-09T07:03:00.000Z

Last week we looked at pond creation and this week it's all about maintenance. There is no perfect time for this. Whether you need to drain the pond for repairs or simply remove excess vegetation, it will cause problems for wildlife, removing eggs, larvae and adult aquatic animals. Yet maintenance is essential. A wildlife pond needs to have a reasonable depth of water and it will become stagnant if vegetation is left unchecked. So, like so many things in wildlife gardening, it is all about good timing and minimising disruption.

Maintenance in September causes minimal disturbance to pond animals because most breeding activity has ceased and hibernation has not yet begun. Lay removed vegetation close to the pond edge on a sloping tray or drape over canes above the water to give animals a chance to get back in. Leave plenty of vegetation to ensure that some feeding, breeding and sheltering grounds survive.

A pond for life

2006-09-03T11:52:00.000Z

September is usually a good time for pond construction. Soils are normally more workable and cooler weather is better for physical work. Here are the basics of good pond design:

A minimum depth of 80cm will prevent the water freezing solid. A minimum surface area of 4m² prevents algae (green slime) forming. Provide at least one gently sloping slide for wildlife to get access to drink (e.g. birds) and exit (e.g. frogs and unfortunate hedgehogs). Slope other sides inwards by 20° so that expanding ice slides up the pond sides rather than forcing against them. Line the soil with old carpet or a thick layer of newspaper to cover sharp stones.

Pond liner is preferable to concrete which cracks and is too alkaline, or preformed plastic ponds which have dangerously steep and slippery sides for wildlife. Pond shelves 25-30cm wide and 25-30cm below the water surface provide a micro habitat e.g. for dragonfly larvae and marginal plants.

I have written an ebook containing detailed information on how to build and stock a pond, available on the Wildlife Garden Website.

Rolling rocks and discovering the beetles

2006-08-26T12:04:00.000Z

Ground beetles are becoming more visible again, and are often found sheltering under rocks. They are black in colour and some, such as the violet ground beetle, have a beautiful iridescent colour. Devil's coach-horse beetles may be seen in damp sheds. They are matt black with ferocious-looking jaws and they characteristically arch their back into the air when threatened. Along with frogs and magpies, ground beetles and devil's coach horses help to control the slug population.

Leaving small piles of rocks or bricks in the garden will provide homes for beetles as well as centipedes (which eat slugs and leatherjackets), woodlice, spiders, harvestmen and other interesting creatures. A neat pile is as good as a messy one as long as there are plenty of nooks and crannies.

A second generation of comma and tortoiseshell butterfly eggs are being laid on nettle patches. The mating season of hedgehogs usually ends this month.

Time to sow a wild flower meadow!

2006-08-20T17:13:00.000Z

Mid-August to early October is the ideal time to sow a spring or summer wild flower meadow. Sowing can be done March to mid April but autumn sowing will allow frost action over winter. Many seeds require this before they will germinate.

Seeds are available online and from some garden centres. Prior to sowing, rake out the soil to produce a fine tilth. Firm by gently walking over the plot or rolling it lightly. Do this in dry weather, especially on clay soils, to prevent soil compaction and muddy feet! Rake again lightly to produce a slightly rough surface.

Ideally, sow seed on a still, fair day. Mix the fine seeds with sand or sawdust (from untreated timber) to form a greater bulk. This will make sowing easier and more accurate. The light colour also helps to show where you have already scattered seed. Sand does separate from the seed over larger distances, however.

A cat without a bell is a bird unwell

2006-08-12T09:21:00.000Z

Many bird species are less conspicuous now as they undergo their summer moult in secretive places. As they shed their dishevelled feathers their flight is hampered and they become vulnerable to predators. Young birds are vulnerable too. It is therefore a good idea to keep all but the most placid of cats out of the garden.

All sorts of deterrents are available. As many a gardener will testify, most are gimmicks, but those that emit a high frequency sound seem to work well. However, 70% of blue-eyed white cats are deaf so don't expect them to be bothered!

It is always such a shame to see native wild animals — animals that naturally belong in the environment — being savaged by unnatural, domesticated animals. Cats know no different so it is nice to see responsible cat owners fitting bell collars to their cats to give wild animals advance warning.

Worse for wear - when windows fool birds with L-plates

2006-08-07T06:18:00.000Z

Inexperienced young birds, or those being chased by a predator such as a sparrowhawk, sometimes fly into windows. The reflection of the sky fools them. Normally, it results in no more than a shock but it can result in sprains or worse. Although rare, it has been known for a bird to crash through a window and end up in the house with a sparrowhawk in hot pursuit! Large windows positioned directly across a room from another window are particularly deceptive.

One solution is to draw the curtains when the room isn't occupied, or use net curtains, in late summer when the young birds are susceptible. Another solution is to place a large house plant on the windowsill. Some people stick a black paper silhouette of a predatory bird to the window. Of course, not buffing windows to a mirror finish in late summer also helps.

All is quiet on the feather front

2006-07-30T10:03:00.000Z

July is a relatively quiet time in the bird world. Most of the young have fledged and males no longer need to win a mate or defend territory so birdsong is less noticeable. House martins, swifts and swallows drift in the warm summer evening air, feasting on flying insects. Disease spreads quickly in the warm weather so try to keep feeding and drinking areas clean, washing them in warm water with a mild, environmentally friendly detergent such as Ecover. Regularly top up drinking water.

Golden rod is an excellent wildlife-friendly plant, attracting hundreds of insects. Lemon balm and hemp agrimony attract bees and fennel is a popular pit stop for hoverflies seeking nectar. Some softwood shrub cuttings (i.e. new growth) can be taken at this time of year, such as Bodnant viburnum (Viburnum x bodnantense) which will provide a rare source of very early nectar in winter.

Prune, prune for a blooming broom

2006-07-22T08:30:00.000Z

Broom (Cytisus) is adored by snails and birds will visit to pick off aphids. Bees and butterflies will drink nectar from the brightly-coloured flowers. It needs to be pruned back following flowering to prevent it becoming woody lower down. Prune back to a strong shoot or bud near the old wood. Don’t prune old wood, however, which sometimes does not recover. Although it looks more contrived, you can use hedging shears to trim shoots back quickly en masse once a year. After a few years broom needs to be replaced.

This is also a good time to trim many rockery plants such as aubrieta and alyssum to encourage new growth after flowering. The flowering stems of ragged robin can also be trimmed back this month to encourage a second flush of flowers. Much of the garden fruit is ripening and birds will feast on it unless it is protected. Spring-flowering meadows should be cut now.

Buddleia - the beautiful butterfly bush

2006-07-17T07:07:00.000Z

For good reason Buddleia is often called 'butterfly bush'. Its beautiful fragrant flowers offer rich stores of nectar that prove irresistible to red admiral, brimstone, comma, tortoiseshell, white and peacock butterflies, especially if it is planted in the sun. Butterflies and bumblebees are also honing in on marjoram, lavender, golden rod and hemp agrimony. Hoverflies and honeybees, meanwhile, are feasting on the sweetly scented native plant, meadowsweet.

A number of night-scented flowers are out this month, including evening primrose and night-scented stock. These will attract night-flying moths to their nectar and if you venture out at dusk you might see bats flying in hot pursuit of the moths.

This is a good time to divide autumn crocus and to cover ripening fruit if it is intended only for human consumption. Spring-flowering wild flower meadows should be cut now and it is a good time to do any severe pruning or coppicing of beech.

Multiplying stock - taking semi-hardwood cuttings

2006-07-10T11:02:00.000Z

July is a good time to take semi-hardwood cuttings of wildlife-friendly shrubs. These include Californian lilac for bees, barberry for bees and birds, rosemary for bees, hoverflies and other insects, firethorn and Japanese quince for nesting and feeding birds, guelder rose for moths, birds and small mammals, honeysuckle for insects and birds, and lavender which provides nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for finches.

The growing tip will still be soft so cut where this year’s older growth is starting to turn woody. The cuttings are grown in peat-free seed or cutting compost. They are covered with a bag or a half of a plastic drink bottle. Keep warm at 16-18°C but out of direct sunlight. Rooting often takes place fast — within 3–4 weeks. The plastic is then lifted gradually to harden the cuttings off over the next month or so, before placing them somewhere cooler, e.g. a cold frame, and finally planting out next spring.

Finding food is driving the squirrels nuts!

2006-07-03T07:27:00.000Z

Grey squirrels were introduced to the

in the late 1800s, brought in from

America

as exotic additions to parks. They spread rapidly and are probably responsible for the decline of the native red squirrel as they compete more effectively for food. Still, they have now become an accepted part of the rich variety of garden wildlife - apart from their tendency to 'steal' bird food.

There is good reason to show a little compassion, however. Last autumn, squirrels buried numerous nuts and seeds as a food store for leaner times. These stores have now been recovered and yet there are few ripe nuts and seeds around. They are literally starving and many die.

Nut-only diets can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so if you want to feed squirrels, offer a mix of foods including unsalted peanuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, carrots, apples and sweet corn.

Light up next spring by nurturing the bulbs now

2006-06-25T08:24:00.000Z

Spring-flowering bulbs such as bluebells, daffodils and grape hyacinth have died back now and the nutrients in the leaves have returned to the bulb. This is a good time, then, for dividing the clumps to multiply stock. It will also renew vigour, ensuring plenty of nectar in spring for butterflies, honey bees and mason bees. Snakeshead fritillaries need to be divided and replanted every 4 years.

Lavender is a popular summer-flowering aromatic shrub and a great addition to the wildlife-friendly garden. The flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies such as meadow browns and late broods of whites. The nectar is also a centre of attention for bees and other insects. The seeds are enjoyed by goldfinches and the leaves are popular with froghopper larvae.

Watch out for blue tits congregating in groups, including the smaller and duller-coloured youngsters. In the pond tadpoles are undergoing the final stages of their dramatic transformation into adults.

Hedgehog hell or hedgehog haven?

2006-06-19T08:26:00.000Z

Dry spells result in a slug shortage for hedgehogs so you could offer supplementary foods, e.g. sultanas, bananas, unsweetened cereals, cooked potato, veg, rice or pasta. However, never leave out milk or bread which, contrary to popular opinion, can give them stomach upsets. It is unwise to feed hedgehogs by torchlight as they learn to associate bright beams of light with food and they become attracted to vehicle headlights. They have very poor eyesight!

Avoid steep or slippery-sided ponds, or create an escape route. Although hedgehogs can swim well if they fall in, they eventually become exhausted if they can't climb out.

Hedgehogs frequently get stuck in litter e.g. paint cans, food cartons and beer can ringos. Plastic garden netting is a nightmare too, tangling around their little legs and stressing the animal so try raising it off the ground.

Use environmentally friendly wood preservatives as hedgehogs often lick treated surfaces.

Nipping the nettles for nursery nibbles

2006-06-11T21:57:00.000Z

The warmer weather can lead to excessive growth of algae and pondweed. This needs to be gently removed and left where pond life can find its way back into the water. It makes an excellent addition to the compost heap. Try to avoid other kinds of pond maintenance at this time of year, however, because eggs, such as those of damselflies and dragonflies, may be disturbed or disposed of with plant material.

If you have a nettle nursery for butterflies, cut it down by a third this week. This will provide fresh green shoots for red admirals and a second generation of commas and small tortoiseshells. This is the perfect time of year, ensuring newly laid eggs are not cut away. Existing caterpillars will enjoy the lush new growth. Leave the cuttings on the nettle bed to give caterpillars and other animals chance to find their way back onto living leaves and also to enrich the soil.

Nosey neighbours - are we helping or hindering?

2006-06-06T19:45:00.000Z

June is a busy month for many wild animals, especially birds, hedgehogs, foxes and bats with young to care for. It can sometimes be tempting to peep at the young in nests but this isn't a good idea. It stresses chicks and they are unable to fly away from the perceived threat. Adults may be very protective of their young at this vulnerable time. Alternatively, they could abandon the nest if they are frightened.

Well-meaning gardeners often worry about birds that have fallen from their nest and take them into their care. This can stress the young birds, however, and it takes specialist knowledge to care for them properly. Most adult birds have strong instincts to look after their young and they will continue to feed them on the ground. The most helpful contribution you can make is to keep cats away. Occasionally, other birds, even those of a different species, will adopt an orphan!

Nosey neighbours - are we helping or hindering?

2006-06-05T18:02:00.000Z

June is a busy month for many wild animals, especially birds, hedgehogs, foxes and bats with young to care for. It can sometimes be tempting to peep at the young in nests but this isn't a good idea. Adults may be very protective of their young at a vulnerable time or they might abandon the nest if they are frightened.

Well-meaning gardeners often worry about birds that have fallen from their nest and take them into their care. This can stress the young birds, however, and it takes specialist knowledge to care for them properly. Unless they are injured, it also isn't necessary because most adult birds have strong instincts to look after their young and they will continue to feed them on the ground. The most helpful contribution you can make is to keep cats away. Occasionally, other birds, even those of a different species, will adopt an orphan!

Who’s who in the world of the dragonfly and damselfly?

2006-05-30T11:14:00.000Z

Dragonflies and damselflies should be out and about this month. They are similar in appearance and life-cycle. However, adult dragonflies are usually large and strong in flight and wander far from water, whereas damselflies are more delicate and weak in flight and stay close to water.

The fore- and hind-wings of dragonflies are different in shape, the hind-wings being broader near the body than the fore-wings. The fore- and hind-wings of the damselfly are similar in shape. At rest, dragonflies hold their wings wide open at right angles to their body whereas damselflies hold them back along their abdomen or partly open.

The eyes of dragonflies are close together, usually touching at some point, whereas those of damselflies are widely separated.

Dragonfly larvae have a broad, strong appearance and move in short busts as they expel water. Damselfly larvae are thinner and frailer and display gentler, undulating movements as they move using their tails.

When you really need a bog…

2006-05-24T07:02:00.000Z

Natural bogs have been damaged by peat removal, reclamation, and pollution from nearby farmland. Garden bogs cannot provide a substitute habitat but they do provide valuable water, food plants, mud, shelter and breeding grounds for wildlife.

A bog garden is a really interesting mini habitat where plants can be grown that cannot survive elsewhere in the garden. It isn’t smelly provided leaves are removed. A hole is dug in the ground and lined with old plastic. This holds back water but it is pierced with a small number of tiny holes so it drains slowly. It is filled with nutrient-poor soil (i.e. without compost or fertilisers).

Widely available native bogs plants include the beautiful marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) which attracts hoverflies, and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and the unique ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) which both attract bees, moths and butterflies.

Watch out for BBC Springwatch which starts on Monday!

Mud, mud, glorious mud

2006-05-14T20:43:00.000Z

Turtle doves, spotted flycatchers and swifts have arrived from Africa this month. House martins and swallows are noticeable too following their long holiday in the sun and they are searching for mud for nest building. It takes 2500 beaks full of mud to construct a single nest! Try creating a mud patch or ‘bog garden’ (next week’s subject) for them.

Mud is needed by mason bees for their nests too. These harmless solitary bees pack eggs and pollen in hollows before sealing them in with mud. It’s not too late to buy a nest for this year’s mason bees if you buy this weekend. Alternatively, cut a cylinder out of a plastic pop bottle and stuff it with hollow garden canes, or drill numerous 100mm deep, 8mm diameter holes in a wood block (not all the way through). Fix the nest on a sunny wall or tree.

Have gardeners with nettle nurseries really lost the plot?

2006-05-07T09:49:00.000Z

Nettles may not be welcome in a border but they have many roles to play in any garden. They increase the strength and aroma of herbs and help tomatoes to ripen fully and prevent rot. They enrich the soil where they have grown and steeped leaves make excellent liquid feeds. They are excellent for the compost heap as they accumulate minerals from the soil such as iron, potassium and silica and their nitrogen content makes them a great compost activator.

A nettle patch provides an important nursery for butterflies, such as peacock, red admiral, comma and small tortoiseshell, enticing them to lay eggs there instead of on ornamentals and vegetables. Try not to disturb the patch in April and May when the eggs are laid. The nettles should be cut down part way in mid-June to provide fresh green shoots for red admirals and a second generation of commas and small tortoiseshells.

Battling for life in the fields

2006-05-03T07:01:00.000Z

Now is the last chance to sow cornfield annuals. They look wonderful en masse as a meadow. Cornfield annuals, such as poppies, corn marigold, corn buttercup, scentless mayweed and cornflower are native wild flowers that cope well with life in regularly ploughed fields. Surviving in this environment means being able to go through their lifecycle rapidly before they get ploughed out. Cornfield annuals grow fast and flower and set seed in one season, hence ‘annual’. They often need disturbed soil to kick-start germination. Each year the Poppy Appeal reminds us of the soldiers who churned up fields during wartime resulting in mass germination of poppies. Sow the seed at a rate of 5-10g/m². Some seeds need frost action over winter to stimulate germination so expect to see these flower next year. Unlike most wild flower meadows, which require a nutrient-poor soil, cornfield annuals can be grown on rich soils.

Slugs and snails – where many a gardener fails

2006-04-24T07:57:00.000Z

Slugs and snails are going about the rather serious business of eating to live. They have no awareness of human aesthetic and culinary needs. Standing on them, dehydrating them in salt or poisoning them is cruel punishment. You may even wrongly convict one of the many species that eat only rotting vegetation.

Frogs, toads, magpies, hedgehogs and ground beetles are natural predators. They can be encouraged, e.g. by providing a garden pond and dense planting. If you poison a slug or snail, quite ironically, you poison these natural predators.

Try hand-picking slugs and snails on mild, damp evenings and putting them on the compost heap to feast on kitchen waste. Leaving out upturned citrus fruit halves overnight makes this process more manageable. Use copper or grease bands and sharp grit around pots. Plant out sturdy young plants rather than vulnerable seedlings. Avoid planting slug and snail food plants!

Infecting them with nematode worms is an unpleasant but natural method where culling is deemed essential.

NB. Google may serve up ads for 'slug killers' due to the presence of the word 'slug' in this post.

Mulch more, feed less?

2006-04-16T10:36:00.000Z

Mulching excludes light and therefore weeds, slows evaporation yet lets water in, and provides a fantastic habitat for invertebrates. The ideal mulch is natural and sustainable or reused/recycled e.g. wood, bark chippings or old carpet. With its typically showery weather, April is a good time for this project as the moisture will be locked in ready for the summer. Weed out perennials such as dock and dandelion by the root first.

Some people decrease bird feeding at this time of year. The argument is that there is more natural food around unless the weather is particularly poor. A natural diet is preferable for emerging young birds as it will be varied and nutritious, and it contains no added salt or other harmful food additives. If you continue to feed, avoid stale bread and whole nuts as these can cause young birds to choke, and desiccated coconut which swells in tiny stomachs as it rehydrates.

Beetle-mania

2006-04-08T17:20:00.000Z

April to June is the best time to see ground beetles. These 1cm long, shiny black beetles are slug predators and can be found hiding under pots and loose piles of branches or rubble. You can lay a sheet of corrugated metal on the ground for the beetles to shelter under. As well as protecting them from predators, it buffers the temperature and moisture levels when summer arrives.

Clematis will soon produce a dense tangle of stems, an ideal bird nesting site. C. montana ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Odorata’ are excellent scented varieties. Berberis, cowslip and hyacinth will provide nectar for bees. Marsh marigolds in the pond or bog garden provide nectar for butterflies, hoverflies and other insects.

You can safely cut back any remaining perennial stems now as hibernators such as ladybirds should have left and finches took any seeds long ago. The mating season of hedgehogs, shrews and mice has begun.

Birds back from winter hols

2006-04-03T14:59:00.000Z

Some summer migrant birds arrive this month after spending time in warmer winter quarters. Swallows and house martins arrive from Africa and some goldfinches return from their Spanish retreat, for example.

Cherry trees remind us that spring is in full swing. As well as providing nectar for insects they sport fruits for birds and small mammals later in the year.

A number of wildlife friendly shrubs can be pruned in April. Viburnum bodnantense has provided an important source of nectar during the winter months when few other flowers were open. Thin it out if necessary by pruning out older shoots. Flowering currants will have been visited by innumerable bumblebees and after flowering they should be cut back to old wood. Insects take nectar from cotoneasters in summer and in autumn birds will feast on the berries. Evergreen cotoneasters should be pruned now although deciduous ones are best pruned in late winter.

2006-03-31T17:28:00.000Z

I bought a bag of baby leaf salad leaves from Tesco today. I was tucking in when I came across some Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). I thought it was a mistake as it's a common field weed but I just checked online and it is edible. Rather nice too - flowers, seeds and all. It's full of vitamins apparently and the Romans grew it as a pot herb. It has a long history of use to treat haemorrhages...which could be handy as it's a Friday night!

Boxing clever

2006-03-27T12:09:00.000Z

Spring is a very busy time for nesting birds so consider putting up a bird box.

Holed nest boxes come with various hole sizes, each attractive to some birds and not others. Smaller holes also exclude larger birds. 25mm is ideal for blue tits, marsh tits and coal tits, 28mm for great tits, tree sparrows and pied flycatchers, 32mm for house sparrows, nuthatches and lesser spotted woodpeckers, 45mm for starlings and 50mm for great spotted woodpecker.

The height of the front on open-fronted boxes attracts different birds. A 60mm high front attracts spotted flycatchers, 100mm attracts robins and pied wagtails, and 140mm attracts wrens.

Sparrows like to nest communally. They will welcome a ‘terrace’ which has 3 nest boxes in one with individual entrances.

You could tie up some nesting materials such as dry grass, small twigs, hair clippings and wool in an accessible place away from cats.

Spring is here...well almost!

2006-03-24T13:49:00.000Z

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.

Don’t demolish our humble abode!

2006-03-24T13:18:00.000Z

Many gardeners are tempted at this time of year to tidy up last year’s perennial flower stems and leaves. For good reason, the wildlife gardener waits a bit longer.

As the weather turned colder last autumn, insects such as ladybirds entered the hollow stems of perennials. Stems (and leaf litter) are excellent hibernation and over-wintering sites, providing insulation from cold winds, frost, rain and snow.

Next month, after the insects have emerged, the hollow stems can safely be cut and added to the compost heap where they will introduce essential air pockets. Consider planting perennials such as fennel, michaelmas daisy and knapweed ready for next year’s sleeping beauties.

Drinking straws or short pieces of garden cane tied in bundles and bunged at one end with plasticine serve a similar purpose. Tie them under window sills and around the garden. Lacewings and other insects will also shelter there in the summer.

Love is like oxygen

2006-03-24T13:09:00.000Z

Many animals are, or will be, emerging from hibernation including hedgehogs and some species of ladybird. Toads, frogs and newts immediately begin mating and produce rather different spawn. Common toads lay their eggs in double strips, frogs lay theirs in globular masses, while newts lay single eggs carefully wrapped in leaves.

This is a good time to stock ponds with ‘oxygenating’ (oxygen-producing) plants. Pond plants will also provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for dragonfly larvae, pond snails, water fleas and diving beetles in the coming months.

Queen bumble bees are busily checking out potential nest sites and foraging for food so make sure there are plenty of flowering plants around the garden this month. Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is ideal. For next year’s bees, snowdrops (Galanthus) and spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) can soon be obtained ‘in the green’. This ‘leaves attached’ option usually proves more successful than dry bulbs.

Welcome to Wildlife Gardening by Paul Peace!

2006-03-24T12:25:00.000Z

Wildlife gardening simply means creating and maintaining a garden that is good for wildlife. Thanks to TV programmes and a growing environmental awareness, wildlife gardening has become very popular. It is fun, educational and a great conservation tool. Week by week join me for wildlife gardening help, advice, projects, photos, you name it! Thanks for visiting!