The Gardeners Almanac

Overview:

Insects and Birds play an important role in our gardens.

Bees help pollinate fruit, and other insects eat pests or become food for beetles and birds.

So it can make sense to encourage birds and insects into the garden.

A bird bath/feeder will attract birds as will a nesting box.

Bug boxes act as shelter for bees and other insects.

Week 1 >

Make sure there is a fresh supply of clean water available to birds throughout the year, especially during cold periods when water can freeze.

Boil a kettle of water on frosty mornings to pour over the ice in your bird bath and leave it topped up and ready for birds to use.

Do the same to melt any ice at the edge of ponds or water features where birds drink.

At least once a month, scrub out the bird bath to clean away any dirt and help prevent diseases spreading to other birds.

Fill up seed feeders regularly, hang up fat balls and spread other food on cleared areas of patio.

Week 45>:

Create different habitats for wildlife in your garden. e.g.

Put up nest boxes for birds in trees and other suitable sites.

Place a bird bath in an open site.

Place bird feeders filled with different foodstuffs to attract a variety of birds.

A pile of logs or a pile of old bamboo canes tucked away in the corner of the garden will make perfect egg-laying sites for leaf-cutter bees, and shelter for many other insects such as ladybirds.

A stack of house bricks, particularly the type with holes in them will do the same thing.

In addition to building the log/brick pile, try making some BugBboxes and placing these around your garden.

A Pond, Stream or Bog garden will encourage Frogs,Toads, Newts and Water Beetles

A pile of tree/shrub prunings in a corner will make a good hibernation site for Hedgehogs/ Frogs/Toads and Beetles etc.

When looking through the catalogues that will now be dropping through your letter box, keep wildlife in mind when ordering your seeds/plants - aim for a rich diversity of plants that provide Pollen, Nectar, Fruits and Berries.