CLATFORD VALLEY
gardening club
Gardening for wildlife
April saw the return of Alan Edmonson to the Gardening Club.
What a super speaker he is. Alan has a lovely sense of humour and is very plain speaking. He is extremely knowledgeable not only about plants, but particularly about beetles, birds and insects. His passion for wildlife and attracting these creatures to our gardens was the main focus of his talk.
Alan took us through every month in the year, informing us of what we should be trying to do if we want to invite wildlife not only into the garden, but perhaps to breed and feed there too.
In January although feeding the birds is very important, Alan suggested a simple bird table is all you need. No need for a roof or bird box on top but to site it in an open space so that the domestic cat can’t catch the birds so easily.
In February we should have put up our nesting boxes. There are different kinds of boxes, some being open fronted which are good for robins, special nest boxes are available for house martins and swallows who will return each year to the same box. Hole fronted nest boxes are more suitable for blue tits and the hole may vary in size depending on the bird you wish to attract. The BTO website can give you more information.
February and March are good months to create or tidy your pond. He suggested that the pond shouldn’t be the same depth all over and should allow animals like hedgehogs easy access. It should be planted with vegetation which will provide food and cover for wildlife. Fish are not advised if you want to attract wildlife.
March may see us thinking about our boundaries. Alan recommended having a mixed hedge including mainly hawthorn but mixed with holly, hazel and blackthorn.
April is the month when we should start to see butterflies dropping in. The buddleia is a good source of food but butterflies such as the Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell prefer to lay their eggs on nettles that are out in the sun, not hidden behind a hedge.
Alan went on to list some of the plants we might grow in the garden to attract different types of moth or insect. These included scabious, verbena bonariensis and the poached egg plant, although it can be quite invasive.
Finally, don’t forget that birds love berries, so in September the rowan, holly and ivy are great for attracting them into the garden.
Alan was so popular we have invited him back next year, so one for the diary.
Jenny thanked all who helped tidy the village hall garden.
The next speaker in June is Alan Martin and his talk is all about ‘Weird and Wonderful Plants’.
We meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.45pm at Upper Clatford Village Hall and new members are very welcome.
April saw the return of Alan Edmonson to the Gardening Club.
What a super speaker he is. Alan has a lovely sense of humour and is very plain speaking. He is extremely knowledgeable not only about plants, but particularly about beetles, birds and insects. His passion for wildlife and attracting these creatures to our gardens was the main focus of his talk.
Alan took us through every month in the year, informing us of what we should be trying to do if we want to invite wildlife not only into the garden, but perhaps to breed and feed there too.
In January although feeding the birds is very important, Alan suggested a simple bird table is all you need. No need for a roof or bird box on top but to site it in an open space so that the domestic cat can’t catch the birds so easily.
In February we should have put up our nesting boxes. There are different kinds of boxes, some being open fronted which are good for robins, special nest boxes are available for house martins and swallows who will return each year to the same box. Hole fronted nest boxes are more suitable for blue tits and the hole may vary in size depending on the bird you wish to attract. The BTO website can give you more information.
February and March are good months to create or tidy your pond. He suggested that the pond shouldn’t be the same depth all over and should allow animals like hedgehogs easy access. It should be planted with vegetation which will provide food and cover for wildlife. Fish are not advised if you want to attract wildlife.
March may see us thinking about our boundaries. Alan recommended having a mixed hedge including mainly hawthorn but mixed with holly, hazel and blackthorn.
April is the month when we should start to see butterflies dropping in. The buddleia is a good source of food but butterflies such as the Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell prefer to lay their eggs on nettles that are out in the sun, not hidden behind a hedge.
Alan went on to list some of the plants we might grow in the garden to attract different types of moth or insect. These included scabious, verbena bonariensis and the poached egg plant, although it can be quite invasive.
Finally, don’t forget that birds love berries, so in September the rowan, holly and ivy are great for attracting them into the garden.
Alan was so popular we have invited him back next year, so one for the diary.
Jenny thanked all who helped tidy the village hall garden.
The next speaker in June is Alan Martin and his talk is all about ‘Weird and Wonderful Plants’.
We meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.45pm at Upper Clatford Village Hall and new members are very welcome.
