Spring is just around the corner. Plants and wildlife are just starting to feel the warmth of the sun and wake up. It's time we start to think about our gardens for Spring and Summer, and how we can help wildlife to thrive. RSPB has helpful gardening advice for March.
One of our favourite events at the garden is blue tits and great tits laying eggs and raising their young in our boxes that have a live camera feed displayed on a television screen in our visitor centre. Now is the time birds will be looking for a space to build a nest. We have already spotted a blue tit visiting our nest boxes. If you haven't already cleaned and emptied your nest box please do. Birds will not choose to lay eggs in a box that has old nesting material in it. Twigs and plant debris are used to make bird nests, this is one reason not to tidy away all the winter debris from our gardens. You can further help by tying up small bunches of twigs and dried moss which can be used for nesting material. These should be hung near your bird feeder.
March is a good month for planting as the soil is starting to warm up. Plants are a very valuable source of food and shelter for numerous wildlife. If you have space plant shrubs and hedges which will encourage birds to your garden. Your feeder is best placed next to evergreen foliage. Birds feel safe and secure from predators when they can hide in a shrub after getting food from a feeder. A range of nectar flowers will encourage many species of bees and butterflies to your garden. At the garden our aim is to have a nectar source in flower every month of the year to feed hungry bees. In flower now we have hellebores, snowdrops, pulmonaria and daffodils. Pick flowers that are single petalled, multiple layered plants often have less nectar and are not as beneficial for our garden wildlife.
A pond is an excellent garden habitat to encourage a range of wildlife: frogs, newts, water boatman, damselflies and dragonflies, to name just a few. If you don't have space for a large pond you can build a mini pond with a butler sink or even a washing up bowl. You might even spot a bird having a bath in it.
However you decide to help wildlife in your garden, please enjoy and take the time to see which species pay you a visit.
Flatford Wildlife Garden is next open the weekend of the 26 & 27 March for Mothers Day. We open again on Friday 1 April for the season, closing at the end of October. Opening times are 10.30am until 4.30pm. If costs £5 to park a car if you're not a National Trust member.
We look forward to welcoming you!