Spring

Plant varieties with single flowers,like Verbena rigida, calendula, alyssum, French marigold and nasturtium, as these provide easy access for insects.

Help hedgehogs recently out of hibernation by leaving out a shallow dish of water and some meat-based dog or cat food.

Sow cornfield annuals, like cornflower, corn cockle and field poppy, in a sunny spot, to attract pollinating insects.

Rake thatch from the lawn and hang it in a ball for nesting birds. Dog hair can also be used.

Make boxes for solitary bees and hang them securely in a sunny part of the garden. Leave patches of bare soil in full sun to give ground-nesting solitary bees, like the tawny mining bee ( Andrena fulva), a helping hand. Keep an area of grass mown short, too. You might find some solitary bees, such as the red mason bee ( Osmia bicornis), nesting in holes in the walls of your house. They won’t cause any damage.

Leave early batches of caterpillars and aphids on plants, they’re a vital food source for baby birds like blue tits.

Keep feeders stocked up with energyrich sunflower seeds – adult birds will need ’fast food’ while foraging for their young. Consider supplementing natural food with live treats, such as mealworms, but avoid whole peanuts and bread as these can choke chicks.