In many ways, dandelions are the perfect plant: bright yellow flowers for much of the year, if you deadhead regularly, popular with pollinators and seed-eating birds so good for wildlife, very attractive seedheads that are fun for children to play with, striking evergreen foliage you can even eat them. And yet … it’s hard to […]
In Defence of Dandelions Read More »
The RHS has just published a report called “Gardening in a Changing Climate”, in which it brings together the latest scientific evidence and sets out the likely implications for gardeners. Climate change is already happening, affecting weather patterns around the globe. 2016 was the hottest year on record – the second and third hottest were
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Want to do some exercise that gets you out of doors and helps wildlife? I’m a volunteer at the Gunnersbury Triangle nature reserve, managed by the London Wildlife Trust. I’ve been going on Tuesdays for a couple of years and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve learnt a lot about conservation, am getting much better at
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A newt in the bucket is worth two in the drain – a new motto for you! Over the last couple of weeks, volunteers from the London Wildlife Trust and CHAS have been involved in helping smooth newts on their annual migration to breed. The newts are moving from their hibernation spots to
Butterflies in Britain’s towns and cities are having a very hard time – but we gardeners and allotment holders can make a difference. Butterfly Conservation, the University of Kent and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology published a paper last week which showed that butterflies are doing worse in towns and cities than in the
Helping urban butterflies Read More »
