A Wildlife Pond:
For those who want to make their plot more environmentally friendly, wildlife ponds are a must. In fact, they're one of the best features you can add to give visiting critters a helping hand, even if you opt for just a tiny design.
Whilst all garden ponds are valuable for wildlife to some degree, there are things you can do to make them as welcoming as possible. After all, it's lovely to have more life in your garden – who doesn't like watching visiting birds, dragonflies, and perhaps a frog or two going about their merry way? But, it's not just about making your outdoor space a more joyful place to be (although that is, of course, important too).
Wildlife ponds play a critical role in helping to mitigate the decline of natural habitats.
The UK has lost ponds, rivers and streams at a rapid rate and now, only a small amount of natural ponds and wetlands remain. 'Many of these are in poor condition and 13% of freshwater and wetland species are threatened with extinction from Great Britain.'
'The loss of these important places – to development, drainage and intensive farming – is linked to a huge decline in wildlife, including frogs and toads, water voles and insects,' they continue. And it's not just in the UK – habitats are being destroyed all over the world.
If as many people as possible create a wildlife habitat in their own outdoor space, there's a greater chance of protecting local species. Why not make it your next DIY project?
Whilst all garden ponds are valuable for wildlife to some degree, there are things you can do to make them as welcoming as possible. After all, it's lovely to have more life in your garden – who doesn't like watching visiting birds, dragonflies, and perhaps a frog or two going about their merry way? But, it's not just about making your outdoor space a more joyful place to be (although that is, of course, important too).
Wildlife ponds play a critical role in helping to mitigate the decline of natural habitats.
The UK has lost ponds, rivers and streams at a rapid rate and now, only a small amount of natural ponds and wetlands remain. 'Many of these are in poor condition and 13% of freshwater and wetland species are threatened with extinction from Great Britain.'
'The loss of these important places – to development, drainage and intensive farming – is linked to a huge decline in wildlife, including frogs and toads, water voles and insects,' they continue. And it's not just in the UK – habitats are being destroyed all over the world.
If as many people as possible create a wildlife habitat in their own outdoor space, there's a greater chance of protecting local species. Why not make it your next DIY project?
Useful Links:
Why and How to:
1. www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-pond
2. https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/wildlife-ponds
Best plants with photos: https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/best-pond-plants
1. www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-pond
2. https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/wildlife-ponds
Best plants with photos: https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/best-pond-plants
WORMERY - the best compost in the world!
Worm composting is a very efficient method of turning kitchen waste and small amounts of garden waste into nutrient-rich compost and a concentrated liquid fertiliser. However, it is not a substitute for conventional composting.
A ‘worm bin’ or ‘wormery’ usually consists of at least two compartments; a lower collection sump for the liquid and an upper
Composting is the process by which plant material is heaped together to rot (decompose) to produce compost. Garden or kitchen waste can be broken down over time in a compost bin or heap to produce crumbly organic matter that can be used as a mulch, soil conditioner and a constituent of potting compost.
The worms used for composting are known by various names; brandling, manure, red or tiger worms. These include the species Eisenia foetida, E. andreii and Dendrabaena veneta. Composting worms live in decaying organic matter, whereas earthworms are soil dwellers. They are smaller and darker red than the common earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, which is unsuitable for using in worm composting.
Conditions required:
Information soured from:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/worm-composting
A ‘worm bin’ or ‘wormery’ usually consists of at least two compartments; a lower collection sump for the liquid and an upper
Composting is the process by which plant material is heaped together to rot (decompose) to produce compost. Garden or kitchen waste can be broken down over time in a compost bin or heap to produce crumbly organic matter that can be used as a mulch, soil conditioner and a constituent of potting compost.
The worms used for composting are known by various names; brandling, manure, red or tiger worms. These include the species Eisenia foetida, E. andreii and Dendrabaena veneta. Composting worms live in decaying organic matter, whereas earthworms are soil dwellers. They are smaller and darker red than the common earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, which is unsuitable for using in worm composting.
Conditions required:
- Worms are most active in warm moist conditions, ideally between 18-25ºC (64-77ºF)
- Their activity noticeably declines below 10ºC (50ºF) and above 30ºC (86ºF)
- A wormery should be kept in a shed or a sheltered area of the garden where it gets neither too cold in the winter nor too hot in the summer
- If thinking about keeping wormeries in the kitchen, utility room or on the balcony, consider that when neglected they can sometimes produce odours
- Composting is the process by which plant material is heaped together to rot (decompose) to produce compost. Garden or kitchen waste can be broken down over time in a compost bin or heap to produce crumbly organic matter that can be used as a mulch, soil conditioner and a constituent of potting compost.
Composting worms prefer a pH of between 6.5-7.0, and well-ventilated conditions to live in:This describes how acid or alkaline soil is, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. Soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, an acid soil has a lower value, and an alkaline soil has a higher one. Most plants grow best in soil that’s within a specific pH range, so it’s useful to know your soil’s pH. Testing kits are easy to use and widely available in garden centres and online. - They dislike being waterlogged because this restricts their supply of air:Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted.
What to compost: Worms enjoy a varied diet eating any decaying organic matter. You can put in.. - Any raw vegetables, except for onions, shallots, leeks and garlic that are best used in small amounts or cooked first
- Any cooked vegetables
- All fruit, except citrus peel, which needs to be limited or preferably cooked before adding
- Tea bags, eggshells, coffee grounds and small amounts of bread
- Limited amounts of newspaper, shredded office paper and cardboard, but not glossy magazines
- Small amounts of garden waste such as annual weeds, leaves and other soft green material
- Remember: Fruit and vegetable scraps that contain seeds can be included but the seeds may germinate in the wormery!
- What to avoid:
- Dairy products, fat, grease, meat, fish and bones as these are likely to attract unwanted pests and flies
- Larger quantities of tough leaves and woodier material as it will slow the system down
Information soured from:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/worm-composting