Nationals Gardening week is held between the 30th April to the 6th May and was launched seven years ago by the RHS and aims to encourage more people to take part in the healthy and productive outdoor activity of gardening.
We will be sharing lots of information on how you can build your own bugs hotel, what to feed our birds and insects, how we can save our butterflies, how you can get the whole family involved and where you can learn more about what we do here at the Mill!
To get you started here’s a wonderful piece about creating your own wildlife pond
Garden ponds for wildlife provide breeding space for frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies as well as a habitat for a host of other creatures from pond skaters to water snails. A pond that is shallow at one end will also provide bathing areas for birds and a watering hole for hedgehogs – so they are really important.
More than 70% of our natural ponds have been lost from countryside and gardens so by introducing a small wildlife pond into your garden can help with encourage them to return and thrive.
When is the best time to start my wildlife pond?
Mid spring to early summer is the best time to build your wildlife feature and you can start with creating a long shallow slope with cobbles and stones, allowing insects to enter and leave easily.
Include any oxygenating plants to help provide cover for pond dwellers and try to avoid putting your pond under a tree where branches and leaves may fall into the water.
Ensure you fill your wildlife pond with rain water and try not to use tap water as there are lots of harmful metals and salts which can make it hard for wildlife to drink.
Above all avoid fish as they may eat the very creatures you want to introduce.
Have fun and remember anything you do is better than nothing!