Where to begin.
The recognition that we need to be closer to nature for our own health, to appreciate, understand and help restore its diversity, and that our gardens are the closest and very best places to do that, can be the spur we need to make the most of our own part of planet earth.
The opportunities available to us are endless, so we need to refine them to suit our own and nature’s needs. Our site’s own unique character, which is formed in part by its location, topography and soil type will influence that.
Our gardens are part of their surroundings, the wildlife we attract to them are the species relatively local to us or passing through for example birds on migration, drawn in because we have habitats in which they can live, find shelter, feed or reproduce.
How to begin.
* Firstly look at the surroundings of the garden, think about how it relates to its landscape, whether it's urban, rural or a part of a housing development is important in its design and appearance, but to wild species it’s the habitats we have or can create which will make the garden function.
Opening up boundaries to good views allows us to visually extend the garden outward into 'borrowed' landscape, looking inward and screening less pleasant views can allow us to concentrate the interest within the garden and appreciate the finer detail, but it’s the trees and larger shrubs we can add which the passing birds see and can make use of, and the water we offer by putting in a pond which frogs, newts and dragonflies will find irresistible and the lawn we leave to grow long which butterflies like meadow browns, gate keepers and ringlets will dance over in the summer, lay their eggs on and on which their larvae will feed.
* Think about the garden as a whole rather than as a series of separate areas. Although the habitats we create and enrich will be different from one another, they are each part of the whole garden and our own garden is just one of many which together form a patchwork of habitats and opportunities for wildlife.
* We are inside for much of the time so views from windows are important for us to feel connected to our gardens, the life they contain and catch the sights we might otherwise miss. My pond is right outside my office window, a distraction sometimes but it does mean that I don’t miss the mallards as they fly in. It's dark for long hours in winter but do be very sparing with the use of artificial light, especially if there are bats around and stick with low level fittings with a warm white light. Light pollutions affects insects and birds too so when it comes to lighting less is definitely more and none is even better.
* Our choices in plant species will be dictated by the nature of the site, its constraints and attributes, nature will always win so make friends with her from the outset, live and let live, we and our gardens will be all the happier for it.
* The plants we call weeds, the native species we know are best suited to our gardens because they have decided for themselves that they like it and grow well here, give us clues. As they have evolved in the same locality as their bedfellows and their pollinating insects, they are usually very valuable to the life of our garden.
* When it comes to adding plants of our own choice, check the soil first, is it light and free draining or heavy, holding on to water after rain? Most gardens have sunny and shady areas which is great, there are plenty of plants suitable for both and diversity in planting allows for more biodiversity, an all round good thing for us, our wildlife and our planet.
