Birds, bees and butterflies

provide us with a source of wonder and entertainment. How static would our plots be in winter without birds flocking around a feeder? A summer garden is brought to life by butterflies and other insects that repay close inspection. And with an organic approach, which allows nature to achieve its own kind of balance, the build-up of pests really is kept to a minimum, without the need to resort to sprays and poisons.

There’s huge pleasure in adjusting our gardens to attract as much wildlife as possible, and while few would claim that a badger digging up the lawn is a wonder to behold, there is a huge amount of satisfaction to be had from discovering that our own ‘wildlife magnets’ have been successful.

It is not necessary to stop gardening, and let your plot become a bramble-filled wilderness, and it is not only in stately acres that wildlife can find a home. In a tiny patch, or even on a balcony or doorstep, we can all do our bit by gardening to make our own personal space more attractive to the natural world – and in turn, more exciting for us.