Nature moves

During the colder months, we do everything we can to protect our lawn and plants. But what can we do for the insects who call our garden home? 

Lawns form the heart of most gardens. Most lawns are made up from intricate mixes of grass varieties. But from a pollinator perspective lawns are a monoculture and although some grasses are larval plants for some moth species and grass does make pollen, grasses are wind-pollinated and not ideal food plants for most insects. However, the other plants that grow within a lawn, that you might detest, or class as weeds, are actually vital early spring food plants for our pollinator pals.

With the arrival of autumn, there are a lot of animals preparing themselves to spend the winter hibernating in the warm, looking for a safe haven to escape from the cold. When we speak about hibernation we often think about mammals, especially about the large-sized ones such as bears, but we should remember that hibernation also concerns a lot of the little animals that visit our parks and gardens.

January is Walk Your Dog Month - but what, exactly, do dogs really enjoy about their walks? And what can owners do to make sure their pets get the maximum benefit?

However large or small your garden is, it could make a 'life-saving' difference for your local wildlife. This is especially true in January, which is often the coldest month and when natural food sources are thin on the ground. Read our guide on creating vital ‘green corridors’ that link towns, parks and the countryside with people’s gardens.

Next time you reach for the strimmer to cut back long grass or areas in the garden that have grown a bit wild, STOP and take a few minutes first to check that you are not disturbing sleeping or nesting wildlife, in particular, hedgehogs.