I love that nature works to it’s own clock and that clock is so in synch with everything around it. Humans have to have a calendar for order and I’m punishing myself for not getting this post out on the first of April when really- nature isn’t defined by these timings.
That said- this month is really the time when everything is springing (pun intended) to life! There is a buzz in the air. Birds are squabbling over territory, pairing up and being much braver at shooing away my dog as he goes past. The herring gulls, sky larks and robins are being very vocal towards us on our walks and magpies often swoop him!
Babies everywhere! A lovely sign of Spring.
And so the garden, after months of dormancy and perhaps a look of scruffiness, is beginning to show signs of colour and growth. My pair tree is blossoming and the bulbs are well and truly out and nodding away.
What should we be doing in the wildlife garden other than watching in awe and wonder?
Sow wildflowers: Think about native annuals like Borage (Borago officinalis), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and Viper’s Burgloss (Echium vulgare- technically a biennial). Perennials like Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) and Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense) are really great pollinators.
Annuals will be easier to start from seed by scattering on some bare earth (rake it back and don’t add any compost) where as some of the perennials might be best to buy as plugs. Up to you- give it a go! Wildflower seed mixes are common these days. Try to make sure the mix is only of native UK species (we have many lovely species). I really like the mixes that Landlife Wildflowers offer. You can create meadows in your lawn, borders or even in containers. Nowhere is too small a space for a little wildflower habitat.
Look after your soil! Turn your compost (slowly so as to give time for small mammals and amphibians to escape) and get any compost that looks ready out on your beds.
Try no dig- it is much better for the soil’s microbiome. Just place the compost on top and let the earthworms, fungi and soil micro-organisms do all the work. I tried no-dig on my allotment last year and it produced big yields of all crops. Why dig when you don’t have to! You can also mulch at this time- perhaps some bark, manure or other organic material that will help protect the soil, reduce runoff, keep moisture near the roots and provide some nutrients.
Some (half eaten) blossoms on my mini pear
Goat (pussy) willow catkins
Lawns: Lawns are not wildlife’s best friend, but they are practical for many a human garden which needs to be multi-functional. You don’t have to have lawn in the traditional sense though. We are slowly coming around to the idea that a lawn can look multi coloured and multi layered. Grass kept short is basically a desert for wildlife. I’ve said last month- mix up the heights of grass depending on needs. But also get some naturalisation going on. Species commonly known as weeds such as dandelion, daisy and clover will often naturally find their way to your lawn space and are super beneficial for bees and pollinators making their way across the ‘empty’ space. Leave them there. Dandelions are completely edible and actually amazing little flowers when you look at them up close. Try to convince neighbours that your verge doesn’t need regular mowing and dandelions are a joyous pop of yellow, not the gardener’s enemy they have been cast as.
Spiders (definitely not a pest) are an absolute garden treasure!
Pests: Like weeds, ‘pests’ need a reframing of how we think about them. Obviously some, like rats and mice are not ideal to have close to our home. But the fact of the matter is that any species we regard as a pest is not going away for good. That’s why we have a constant battle with them!
We really need to start thinking about pests as a part of the ecosystem and ideally, we need to increase the presence of their prey. So encourage all wildlife to your garden. Caterpillars and most ‘bugs’ are absolutely loved by many garden birds. Ladybird larvae feed on aphids. Are you providing a welcoming space for them? Variety is key and having a diverse range of plants with different flowering times and types will reduce easy predation from a lot of pests whilst also providing food, habitat and access for the animals that feed on them (birds, hedgehogs, foxes). Always think; how would nature deal with this?
Water saving: Now is the time to decide whether you have the right water collection and storage in place for summer. Everyone should have a water butt attached to their roof drainage system. If you have space- a larger tank is useful. It will really help your garden in the drier months as rainwater is much better than tap water for plants. Also, ponds should only ever be topped up with rain water.
Blackthorn bloom! Such an important source of nectar for pollinators and habitat for birds on our coastline.
Birds: Because I have become such a fan of swifts, I will mention again here that THEY’RE ON THEIR WAY! They are flying back from Africa (having not touched the ground since leaving us last August) and should reach us in Newquay next month. They will be looking for homes in house cracks and crevices. They will likely return to the nest they inhabited last year (and I am so fortunate to have them nest on my street), but some of these will have since been sealed up. Please provide them a home by putting up a swift box. They might not make it their home for a while but don’t be disheartened. Better to have a space for them than not. Sparrows will likely use it if it isn’t occupied straight away. But that’s ok- sparrows are in decline too and swifts will take it from them if they like the look of it. I’ve bought a recycled china clay swift box from Green and Blue but you can get wooden ones cheaper from RSPB or make your own!
That’s all for this month, but look over previous months for more tips! As always; make sure to offer food, clean water, access and shelter.
Finally some sunshine!
Have a question about what to do in your garden in April? Please leave a comment below!
If you are local to the North Cornish coast and would like a survey and advice on how to make your garden more wildlife friendly, please contact me!