Is it Spring yet?? Certainly doesn’t feel like it with these temperatures! But little natural indicators tell us its not far off. Daffodils have poked their sunny heads up, bumblebees are making their way out of their nests and buds are appearing all over the place.
Catkins are opening up to release their pollen in the wind.
There always seems like there is so much to do in the garden in Spring and it is an exciting time. But if possible, continue to hold off on too much disturbance until temperatures are consistently above 10 degrees. Insects and mammals are still hibernating. Those that are waking up, would prefer to do it slowly and not with a fork in their face or the lawn mower screaming in their ear.
Lawns: Speaking of mowers, if you want to mow your grassy patch once the temps have risen, have a good think about what you want the end result to look like and how it will benefit wildlife. In nature, different animals graze in various ways. Some graze to the roots, whilst some leave a good shoot. Other patches are left all together and hold huge benefit for invertebrate life which then has knock on effects up the food chain. I recommend trying to replicate nature as much as possible. A great way of doing this is to only hard mow pathways, leave a good shoot on other areas of use and try to let grasses grow near to borders and around objects. Leave some grass clippings in a pile for the bugs.
Bare earth: After witnessing the amazing effects of rootling first hand, it is an idea to replicate the natural processes of animals that dig up the ground. Pigs rootle with their nose, but hoofed animals tread grasses back and small mammals burrow. All these actions expose the dormant seed bed and allow fresh germination of plants that would otherwise be out competed by ‘weeds’. Don’t overdo it, but a couple of small patches of overturned grass in a garden can bring up some new species you didn’t even know you had in your seedbed!
Reptiles leaving hibernation too early can suffer from cold snaps. Help them out as much as possible.
Frog spawn!
Ponds: You should be seeing frog or toad spawn by now if you’re lucky enough to have been chosen as a good site. Newt spawn will follow after them. By the end of the month the tadpoles will be swimming around and bringing in lots of predators in the form of birds, bugs and small mammals. Pond weed and algae might be present, but I would leave it be for now. If it is pretty vigorous- add another oxygenator plant and it should even out.
Food: Hedgehogs and amphibians will be waking up from hibernation and birds will be spending all their energy finding mates and building nests. Give them a hand by leaving out food. See Prickles and Paws for the do’s and don’ts for hedgehogs and make sure bird feeders are clean and dry between top ups.
Hedging: Can you add a hedge to your garden? Either along a fence or even instead of a fence? They provide habitat and better access for small mammals. Some hedges have lovely fruit to offer wildlife too. Holly, Blackthorn and Hawthorn are my go-to natives that work well in the area (North Cornwall coast). Ivy and British Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) are great to creep along fences too. I’m an advocate for the responsible planting of certain non-natives in a town/ suburban setting. If you aren’t sure about a species- send me an email. There are lots of nuances in the world of gardening in the UK and sometimes the cost/ benefit of a plant aren’t super clear.
Spring is the beginning of new.
Monitor your garden! This blog by Discover Wildlife explains all about how and why to monitor. It’s a great way to be involved in citizen science and helping to contribute to conservation of all British species. I will add to that: CBWPS for Cornish birds- anytime, anywhere, especially choughs at the moment. And Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Online Recording (ORKS) for all animals.
As always; make sure to offer food, clean water, access and shelter.
Have a question about what to do in your garden in March? 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!