I was delighted a few weeks ago to be forwarded an email in which an RSPB member, Nikki Smith, was clearly getting very excited about gardening for wildlife.
Well, after a little correspondence, I'm pleased to say that Nikki gallantly agreed to share some of her experiences and photos, so here is the first half of my little email 'interview' with her.
Q: How long have you been in your garden?
We've been in our new house in Warwickshire for a little over 12 months now. However, it's only really been this summer that I've been working really hard on the garden. (In the photo below, you can see part of the back garden that Nikki is working with, with good berry-laden hedges and a mature tree, flower borders, lawn and bird feeders aplenty!).
Q: What do you feel has worked best?
Attracting insects and butterflies! The range of plants I've used have really attracted a large mix of insects, bees, butterflies, moths, etc. My personal favourite was the foxgloves - not only did they look stunning but the bees loved them. They grew with Teasels which ended up over 8ft tall - the Goldfinches loved them. (The chives, below, also worked a treat.)
I got super excited 8.30am on a Tuesday morning a couple of months ago when I spotted a Hummingbird Hawkmoth on my Red Valerian! I've seen them three or four times since and they are so amazing.
I've tried to keep track of the different types of bees but it's so difficult. It's fun though! There are ladybirds, hoverflies and beetles everywhere too.
Q: What are the biggest lessons you've learnt?
I've learnt so much about plants - annuals, biennials, perennials. I know now what that means - daft I know but it's helped me no end and I love planning what to plant, where and when, what to grow direct in the ground and what to grow in trays. I get very pleased with myself when I manage to grow something from seed and then plant it out all round my garden. My marigolds (below) were like that this year).
Of course, my knowledge of insects has grown too. I love seeing something new, digging out my guide book and trying to figure out what it is. I often only get a second or two before it's gone though.
Deadheading - now that is something that has never failed to surprise me. My one tip? Deadhead your plants like there's no tomorrow and you'll be rewarded with flower after flower after flower. My marigolds, dahlias and cosmos are still going strong!
As regular readers will know, enthusiasm is my favourite quality in a gardener, so my thanks to Nikki for having it in such abundance. Look out for the second half of my conversation with her on Monday.