Gardening for wildlife this winter
The Barnsdale Gardens team relish in the opportunity they have for tempting all kinds of wildlife to each of their 38 individually designed gardens in the East Midlands.
Many birds and beneficial insects are top visitors to Barnsdale and Nick and his colleagues plan to keep it this way!
Gardening for wildlife this winter
The benefits of attracting insects, birds and other wildlife that can help with pollination and enhance biodiversity is well documented. These friendly visitors look after us, so it is only fair that we, in turn, look after them!
Planting for birds in winter
Nick Hamilton, owner of Barnsdale Gardens, says that it is all about extending the season when looking out for our feathered friends. So, anything that has berries is great for birds – Sorbus (mountain ash), Crataegus (hawthorn), Hedera (ivy), Prunus spinosa (sloe), Cotoneaster, for example, will ensure that they are catered for during the colder months.
The buzz plants for insects in the colder months
Insects that still fly through the winter benefit from late flowering and winter flowering shrubs, such as Sarcococca and shrubby honeysuckle. Also creating hibernation places is the perfect way to keep bugs and other wildlife snug and fed. Bug houses for a mix of wildlife or specific homes are the way to go, at Barnsdale these include a bundle of short lengths of bamboo for solitary bees and ladybirds, rolled-up corrugated cardboard for lacewings and mulch for a wide range of insects.
Provide in the winter for a biodiverse garden in the spring!
Don’t forget that if you encourage wildlife into your garden in the spring and summer, then you also need to provide for them in the winter. So, by taking the tips mentioned above and also ensuring that wildlife is fed, this will guarantee a buzzing garden of joy in the warmer months of veritable beauty and pollination!
There’s plenty to see and do all year round at Barnsdale Gardens!
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