Country Living (UK)

Going GREENER

-

of your garden to grow wild. This provides valuable habitat for many species from fox moths to thrushes – it all counts.

MUST WE LET BRAMBLES BE?

Not all of them! Our gardens should still be functional. Pure rewilding means not interferin­g with nature at all. I advocate a method closer to wildlife gardening – planting wildlife-friendly species such as verbena, pyracantha and knapweed. You could allow some weeds, like nettles, to stay, while replacing others with plants that provide food or shelter for insects and birds. At this time of year, try globe thistles, sedums and single-flowered roses.

ARE PESTICIDES A NO-NO?

In my book, they’re a big no-no. To deter slugs, I boil two garlic bulbs in water, then, once it’s cool, spray it onto foliage once a fortnight. For whitefly, I encourage beetles, a natural predator, by planting ground cover like poached egg plants and nasturtium­s.

IS FERTILISER OUT AS WELL?

Chemical fertiliser can disrupt the natural balance of soil, which is full of microbes, bacteria and fungi, making it less productive. Enrich poor soil with organic matter such as leaf mould.

WHICH WEEDS SHOULD STAY?

Scrambling plants like vetches produce pretty pink blossoms and improve soil fertility, helping shrubs grow strong. Dead nettles have red, purple or white flowers, which are a brilliant food for red mason bees and burnished brass moths. You should get rid of invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed, gunnera and giant hogweed, as they spread rapidly, suppressin­g other plant growth.

ARE NATIVE PLANTS BETTER?

Pure rewilding is about encouragin­g native plants like common honeysuckl­e, cornflower­s and water avens. I’m not that strict. Species such as buddleia, catmint and lavender grow well here and have long flowering periods, benefiting pollinator­s.

WHAT’S YOUR PLOT LIKE?

My tiny garden in Kent was all concrete and Astroturf when I arrived. I’ve since planted a hop, loved by butterflie­s, and grow spearmint and rosemary, which benefit bees. At my allotment, I’ve planted wild flowers such as corn marigold and selfheal, providing habitat for beetles around the vegetable patch, as well as gooseberry bushes, left uncovered so sparrows can share the berries with me. It feels liberating to let nature do its own thing.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom