Features and Advice

While they can be entertaining and fun to watch, most gardeners don’t feed the birds to fatten up the squirrels.

Many gardeners have never seen a hedgehog, but that doesn’t mean they don’t live and breed in and around our gardens. Jean Vernon suggests some ways to support these threatened creatures.Jean

Give your garden birds the very best support to see them through autumn and winter says Jean Vernon.

Jean Vernon gives some advice on how you can add extra nesting habitats and shelter for wildlife in your garden.

As a nation we love feeding the birds. But it’s just as important to ensure they have a safe and reliable source of fresh water says Jean Vernon

Garden wasps are important garden pollinators and surprisingly good pest control too, says Jean Vernon

Gardeners are well placed to make a big difference to pollinators. Jean Vernon suggests lots of ways to help these precious creatures

As a gardener there are a few garden ‘pests’ that can wreak havoc on our plants such as caterpillars. But before you reach for that insecticide take a few moments to really think about what you are doing.

Choose a high quality bird food that feeds a wide range of species with one mix and is packed with nutrient rich ingredients

Give your bird feeders and bird baths a health check before the breeding season.

In the depths of winter the gardener’s friend, the robin becomes the star of the garden.

The garden is rich in autumn fruit, seeds, nuts and berries and also insects, but competition is fierce. Here are 5 ways to help the birds over winter.

Feeding the birds can add a wonderful dimension to your garden. These delightful creatures will feed, bathe, dance and roost in your trees and shrubs filling your world with their beauty, grace and antics

Finding a slow worm in the summer garden is like finding treasure, but these enchanting creatures are under threat and need as much care as you can offer.

Where would we be without worms? These soil dwelling creatures are responsible for soil health in our gardens. Without these wiggling creatures our soil would be compacted, starved of oxygen and probably waterlogged.

The garden birds aren’t just pretty to look at, they a vital weapon in the gardeners war on pests.

Mention moles to most gardeners and the conversation immediately turns to lawns. Lovely swaths of manicured lawn punctuated by vast and numerous mounds of freshly, finely tilled soil.

Foxes are as much a part of our UK wildlife as any other creature, says Jean Vernon

Spring is a great time to install a house for your feathered friends. Jean Vernon has some top tips and advice on siting a nest box in your garden.