In this blog, we look at an aspect of gardening which is relevant all year round, and that’s wildlife. Here we provide a few handy (and often overlooked) tips on how to maintain a healthy environment for wildlife to thrive in.

Grow A Variety of Plants

Shrubs, climbers, evergreen, and deciduous plants will all increase the range of visiting wildlife. The key elements of a wildlife-friendly garden are rich food sources, shelter, and safe habitat. This means that a good mix of plants and shrubs will go a long way towards helping improve these factors.

Cut Down On Chemicals

Insects are of course an important link in the food chain. Whilst at first it may seem like a good idea to rid your garden of problem insects such as slugs, snails, wasps, and aphids, this could have a detrimental effect further on in the food chain for those who may feed on them normally. It is worth considering though that organic alternatives are available in order to dispose of slugs and other pests if they are proving too much of a problem.

Think Before You Tidy

Try to disturb things in your garden as little as possible. Piles of logs, twigs, and leaves encourage insects and shelter wildlife. It is also advisable not to cut hedges until nesting birds have moved on.

Plant A Tree

Trees support a huge variety of wildlife including birds, fungi, butterflies, spiders, ants, and other invertebrates. A fully-fledged Birch Tree for example can provide a home for as many as 229 differing types of insect species.

Provide Water

With the decline of countryside ponds, this is a must. Absolutely anything that can harbour water can be used; an old washing-up bowl for example would do nicely, but of course remember to place a large rock near the side in order to allow frogs and other visitors to get back out!

Give Someone A Home

Create smaller habitats; areas of long grass, nettles, and log piles, as well as bug boxes and bird boxes, are ideal for providing cheap and cheerful homes for wildlife.

Build A Compost Heap

A valuable element in any garden, providing food to improve soil and plants, and also providing an attractive habitat for all manner of wildlife, compost heaps are not only useful for getting rid of organic waste but in turn, provide food and nutrients to the wildlife of your garden. Look out for sheltering amphibians and hedgehogs though before emptying!

All these ideas will help build up the natural biodiversity in your garden which will benefit your plants and you. Good luck!

July is a busy month in our community – here are three events happening in the next two weeks. Pure summer fun!

Broadbottom Scarecrow Festival

This year’s theme for Broadbottom Scarecrow Festival is: 40 years of  children’s TV.

Starting on Monday 1st July until Sunday 14th July, there will be scarecrows of all shapes and sizes throughout the village. Judging will take place between 6th – 9th July with prizes given at Broadbottom Duck race on 10th July.

Organised by the Broadbottom Community Association this annual event bring smiles and lots of joy to the village.

Lymefield Garden Centre’s contribution this year is Bill and Ben the flower pot men created by Elaine and Janis at the entrance to our site.

Broadbottom Duck Race & BBQ

The Duck Race runs down the Etherow from Well Row to Weir Cottage on Wednesday 10th July. Organised again by the Broadbottom Community Association, hundreds of ducks are raced down the river with prizes given at the BBQ.

Duck numbers can only be purchased in advance from the Post office or Broadbottom Primary School.

The Race starts at 6.30pm from Warhurstfold Bridge at the end of Well Row and finishes at Weir Cottage, Hodge Fold with a huge BBQ. Prizes are given for the duck race and for the Broadbottom Scarecrow competition.

Charlesworth & Chisworth Carnival

For the third year running we are taking part in Charlesworth Carnival on the rec in Charlesworth. On Saturday 13th July, Charlesworth & Chisworth are taken over by Carnival fever.

The parade starts from St Margarets School at 12.30pm, once again we are have provided a truck for Charlesworth School in the parade; their theme this year is Cinderella – charlesworth style.

The parade arrives at the rec about 1pm where there will be lots of fun activities including bouncy castles, football and cricket games, lots of stalls and at the top of the field you will find Lymefield’s food marquee providing lots of fresh homemade refreshments.