RECONNECT WITH NATURE

Instead of striving to achieve an immaculate garden, reconnect with nature by gardening with a light hand, allowing and accepting imperfections. Rather than deadheading flowers, allow plants to set seed and keep fallen leaves as a mulch and as a place where birds can forage for food in the leaf litter.

World Habitat Day on 6 October reminds us that our gardens play an important role in connecting with nature by providing shelter and a refuge for wildlife. Try these ideas: • Plant shrubs to form a thicket in a secluded part of the garden to protect birds from predators and the elements. • Plant a mixed hedge to provide shelter, food and nesting for birds.

• Grow non-invasive grasses as a habitat for insects and shelter for small creatures.

• Encourage pollinators to your garden by growing flowers that produce nectar and pollen, especially plants indigenous and local to your area.