This evening’s episode of Gardener's World on BBC2 tonight at 9pm features renowned wildlife gardener: Kate Bradbury talking about how to get started with a wildlife garden.
Corn Margold: Jennie Smith (rspb-images.com)
Kate is a wildlife gardening expert who has written for Gardener’s World magazine, Guardian Weekend, the Telegraph, BBC Wildlife as well as writing her own wildlife gardening books. She knows her stuff so it will be great to see her back on our screens tonight promoting the joys and the importance of gardening for wildlife.
One of her basic philosophies is to provide shelter for wildlife in the garden. Insects, amphibians, mammals and birds all need not only food to eat but places to rest, hide, sleep and hibernate. The more nooks and crannies we create with wood, twigs, bark, old pots of leaf litter, the more plants we have and grass we leave to grow long are all fundamental in providing essential habitat.
She talks more about this and enlightens us with some incredible garden wildlife facts in this podcast from roots and all. For example, did you know that a baby blue-tit needs 100 caterpillars a day to grow into a strong healthy adult? With six chicks in the nest, that’s 600 caterpillars a day the adults have to try and find. We’d better leave our nettles to flourish and get growing more caterpillar friendly plants!
In this video clip, Kate recommends some of her other wildlife friendly top plants for the garden and she’ll be sharing more ideas on tonight's show: Gardener's World BBC2, tonight (Friday 16th April) 9pm.
If you're inspired by what Kate has to say, you may like to come and visit the Flatford Wildlife Garden in Essex. Now open everyday from 10.30am - 4.30pm. Car parking is £5 at the National Trust, Flatford car park.