How to make your garden wilder
Jobs for November
Plant hedges – If you’re lucky enough to have a little piece of green space, now is the perfect time to plant hedgerow trees. You can buy trees for as little as £1 from a local nursery, and all you need is a shovel. Recommended species include native roses, elder and hawthorn to act as a food store for wildlife. If you have a large garden, try growing hazel (Corylus avellana) for its nuts and attractive catkins.
Finish planting spring bulbs – November is a good time to plant tulips. The hardy summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies, alliums and crocosmia, are better in September and October (but no harm in trying!).
More tips for gardening for wildlife in November here.
Jobs for December
Plant trees – December is a good time to plant trees (either potted or bare-root in the garden). If you are lucky enough to have a small area to fit a little fruit tree in, now is the time! The People's Trust for Endangered Species have a good tool to help you find a local variety to suit future needs.
Create free plants! – This month is a good time to take a cutting from shrubs, trees and perennials. By taking cuttings from successful plants in your local area you can be confident that they grow well on your local soil types. Please ask for permission first! A good guide on how to successfully take a cutting is here.
Attract the robins – Making bird boxes are a great activity for the whole family. Why not build an open-fronted box for a robin? Some great ideas on how to attract your friendly neighbourhood robin are here.
Sort your cat out – Own a domestic cat? Why not buy them a bell for their collar? A recent study suggests that this can reduce predation on mammals and birds as it acts as an alarm to wildlife. Just remember to make sure it has a quick-release mechanism, just in case it gets snagged.
Spread wildflower seed – As the frost comes in, now is a good time to spread wildflower seeds onto bare soil. The quickest, and by far the easiest way to spread the seed is to get hold of some BeeBombs and throw them on the ground. They do best in full sunlight and low-nutrient soil. No need for digging – just avoid them drying out. Our conservation expert Dan Geerah threw his down four weeks ago and they have germinated. In Bristol, you can buy BeeBombs at Smaller Footprints on Regent Street in Clifton. They'd make a great Christmas Gift!
Jobs for November
Plant hedges – If you’re lucky enough to have a little piece of green space, now is the perfect time to plant hedgerow trees. You can buy trees for as little as £1 from a local nursery, and all you need is a shovel. Recommended species include native roses, elder and hawthorn to act as a food store for wildlife. If you have a large garden, try growing hazel (Corylus avellana) for its nuts and attractive catkins.
Finish planting spring bulbs – November is a good time to plant tulips. The hardy summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies, alliums and crocosmia, are better in September and October (but no harm in trying!).
More tips for gardening for wildlife in November here.
Jobs for December
Plant trees – December is a good time to plant trees (either potted or bare-root in the garden). If you are lucky enough to have a small area to fit a little fruit tree in, now is the time! The People's Trust for Endangered Species have a good tool to help you find a local variety to suit future needs.
Create free plants! – This month is a good time to take a cutting from shrubs, trees and perennials. By taking cuttings from successful plants in your local area you can be confident that they grow well on your local soil types. Please ask for permission first! A good guide on how to successfully take a cutting is here.
Attract the robins – Making bird boxes are a great activity for the whole family. Why not build an open-fronted box for a robin? Some great ideas on how to attract your friendly neighbourhood robin are here.
Sort your cat out – Own a domestic cat? Why not buy them a bell for their collar? A recent study suggests that this can reduce predation on mammals and birds as it acts as an alarm to wildlife. Just remember to make sure it has a quick-release mechanism, just in case it gets snagged.
Spread wildflower seed – As the frost comes in, now is a good time to spread wildflower seeds onto bare soil. The quickest, and by far the easiest way to spread the seed is to get hold of some BeeBombs and throw them on the ground. They do best in full sunlight and low-nutrient soil. No need for digging – just avoid them drying out. Our conservation expert Dan Geerah threw his down four weeks ago and they have germinated. In Bristol, you can buy BeeBombs at Smaller Footprints on Regent Street in Clifton. They'd make a great Christmas Gift!
