Info, news & debate
Wildlife gardening
Using compost as mulch
Home compost is a great source of mulch for your garden, it will improve your soil over time.
Native British pond plants
Learn about the native British pond plants that can support life in your pond.
20 year research project reveals devastating loss of British and Irish flora
What has causes a devestating decline in British and Irish flora?
More Sustainable (and Beautiful) Alternatives to a Grass Lawn
Ideas from the American NRDC about how to develop a sustainable alternative for your lawn.
Preparing for new growth at Imbolc
How the Celtic festival of Imbolc can inspire new growth.
Not so nasty nettle – an honourable compendium for an overlooked plant!
Recipes for the humble nettle. Read how to pick, choose and cook with this overlooked plant.
Designing your garden for extreme heat
Many perennials, shrubs and trees – particularly newly planted – are going to struggle in the kind of conditions we’re faced with as I write – record high temperatures after months of low rainfall. What can we do to help them?
Building your own sustainable future
Hi. I’m Andy Reynolds – author, instructor, forester, promoter of self-reliance, and for the last few years I have been reflecting on our project’s progression, as it seems to have reached the stage of early maturity. The project – rebuilding a home, and changing the surrounding fields from dead agricultural land into an oasis of …
How to start a community garden: Part 3
In the final instalment of how to start a community garden with Ethical.net, it’s time to address the key issues of planning and design, as well as how to make sure it’s sustainable in every way.
How to start a community garden: Part 2
We explore the nuts and bolts of how to start a community garden with Ethical.net, this time tackling finding a site and first steps towards sourcing funding.
Sustainable alternatives to garden lawns: Part 1
From herbs to moss and more, we share a first instalment from our friends at Ethical.net about sustainable alternatives to garden lawns.
The Wool Carder bee – and why it’s one of my favourites
Which are your favourite species of bee? For Nick Mann of Habitat Aid, ranking high among them is the Wool Carder bee.
Sowing wildflower seed onto grass
Keen to transform your lawn into a wildflower meadow but not sure how? Nick Mann of Habitat Aid shares his guide to sowing wildflower seed onto grass.
Blossom, blossom and more blossom!
Nick Mann of Habitat Aid charts a five month journey of beautiful blossom and how people and pollinators alike can benefit from its bounty.
Could you be a recorder for the Nature’s Calendar project with the Woodland Trust?
The Woodland Trust share the latest findings from their Nature’s Calendar project and invite you to get involved as one of the thousands of volunteers who make it happen each year.
Hedgelaying for wildlife: it’s worth the effort
We hear from Nick Mann of Habitat Aid about why hedgelaying for wildlife is well worth the effort – and the workout – it entails.
Wildflower meadows in spring: what to look forward to
As the winter solstice approaches, Nick Mann of Habitat Aid takes a welcome look forward to the delights of his wildflower meadows in spring.
In the meadow: rediscovering the extraordinary ordinary
As summertime nears, Nick Mann of Habitat Aid shares a snapshot of a Somerset meadow, rediscovering the extraordinary ordinary of the nature found within.
Plants for bees in late winter: how your garden can help them through
If it’s warm in February the bees will be in trouble. Nick Mann of Habitat Aid explains how you can help with plants for bees in your garden.
How to start a native wildflower meadow in 6 easy steps
Jo Cartmell of NearbyWild shares her six easy steps to welcome in the wildlife by turning a garden lawn into a native wildflower meadow.