Wildlife Gardening Calendar

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

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?

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

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!

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.