Gardens can be turned into mini-nature reserves

Gardens can be turned into mini-nature reserves

» 2nd August 2010 «

Homeowners can derive more pleasure from their properties by turning their gardens into "mini nature-reserves", it has been suggested.

Nigel Colborn of the Daily Mail noted that gardens are "surprisingly effective" at accommodating different species.

"Apart from popular creatures like swallows or butterflies, it will almost certainly harbour a huge diversity of less interesting yet important species," he commented.

Mr Colborn argued that in a healthy garden, the soil should "teem with life", with everything from fungi and bacteria to earthworms adding to the biodiversity.

He observed that because such organisms play key roles in sustaining plant growth, homeowners should keep soil life "rich with regular composting".

Elsewhere, he suggested that feeding stations could be used to attract a variety of birds, but added that gardens with a wealth of trees, shrubs and hedges will also achieve this.

Meanwhile, garden centre chain Dobbies last week claimed that summer house owners and gardening fans are buying record numbers of palm trees in order to make up for missing out on exotic holidays.

Posted by Martin Corby