Garden with nature

Habitat

Urban and suburban gardens provide vital habitat for our wildlife and we can do little things that make big differences to beneficial insects, bees and invertebrates.

• A small bug hotel can protect hundreds of Ladybirds.
• Piles of branches and leaves can provide winter hibernation for frogs and hedgehogs.
• Pollinator friendly flowers will keep our bees and butterflies supplied with nectar.
• Bird nest and roosting boxes give our native birds a place to bring up their young and hide away from winter cold.

Resist the temptation to use any pesticides or chemicals and the flora and fauna in your garden will balance itself. be prepared to put up with little bit of blackspot or a few greenfly.

Carbon footprint

Planting a few trees and growing in your garden can go a long way to offsetting your own carbon footprint.

Gardens help to reduce the Urban Heat Island effect, whilst the trees and plants slow down the runoff of rain water.

The way we garden also makes a difference. Capturing rainwater and creating your own compost not only saves money but helps the environment too.

If you have a small garden or none at all, you could get involved in a local carbon offset project such as a tree planting scheme or community garden.

Permaculture

Permaculture is long word which is currently in Vogue but all it means is gardening and growing in a way that supports the land, environment and wildlife.

Much research has been carried out on the subject and we can all practice this no matter the size of our garden.

You may also hear the term Forest Gardening, but again, this is just another term for growing in the same way that nature does with different plant layers all supporting each other and wildlife.

Daniel at Mossy Bottom in Ireland has spent a number of years creating a self sufficient life based on the principles of permaculture and has a great many life experiences and tips to share.