tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80690887739936542912024-03-06T12:02:27.821-08:00.....Higgy's Garden Project..... As Seen on BBC SpringwatchWelcome to my garden blog.
I started my Garden Project in February 2010. It is designed to be wildlife & child friendly whilst maintaining interest for others. Many materials used are recycled, bought cheaply or free! This blog will hopefully give you an insight into my garden and ideas to use in your own garden.Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-48766013596461370292016-09-28T16:19:00.002-07:002018-08-18T08:03:26.557-07:00Best Buddleja's and Open Gardens Raise a Storm!Hello All,<br />
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Wow! A whole summer has just whizzed past! Where did that go!!<br />
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Isn't it amazing how time goes by and all those great plans that we have for our gardens seem to fade into another year! Well having said that we have had quite an interesting summer and I intend to share my summer garden with you by looking back over the last five months since my last post!<br />
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As I always say 'if I'm not posting on here it's a good thing as I'm out in the garden!'<br />
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So where do I start?<br />
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I thought that in this post I'd start by telling you about opening our garden for chairity for the first time.<br />
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Yes that's right in true Higgy style I somehow nominated myself to the task of opening my own garden when I suggested to my wildlife group that we should work in partnership with our local horticultural society by opening up a selection of members gardens that are designed purposefully for wildlife. This was accepted as a great idea and I was promptly nominated to be part of the committee that would make this happen!<br />
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PANIC STATIONS!!! This is the only way that I can describe knowing that I literally had a couple of months to get my own garden in a fit shape for showing to members of the public who were also keen gardeners themselves! Anyone who has opened their own garden will know exactly what I faced: a lot of hard work!! And my hard work was doubled as due to my hip replacement last September the garden hadn't been properly managed or maintained for more than a year!!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Although still proving attractive to wildlife my garden was in no state for opening to the paying public. The wildlife made the most o<u>f</u> stripping berries and seeds from my neglected plot!</i></span></div>
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As always I soon found that despite looking out on good weather whilst sat in work, come the weekend when I desperately needed to get in the garden it innevitably rained and generally on any other occassion when I had time off work!!<br />
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Undefeated by the weather, painful hip and stacks of hard work I'm pleased to tell you that we did manage to get the garden in some sort of acceptable state to open it. Unfortunately on the day of the open gardens we had torrential rain all afternoon!! I do wonder if someone was trying to tell me something!<br />
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At this point I just have to say a massive thank you to those of you who braved the weather to still make the day a great success and contributed to over 100 visitors to the garden who all really engaged with the concept of gardening for wildlife! Even better as a collective of 14 gardens we raised over £1500 for our local children's hospice so it all ended very well indeed! :-)<br />
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Here's a few pictures of the garden back in early summer to demonstrate what visitors ended up seeing...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>When you first enter the garden you come onto the raised deck and the area where I grow a few tropical/jungly type plants and where we sit to eat...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Your eye is then drawn down the garden and out to the view of the fields beyond which we created by cutting the trees at the bottom of the garden into windows to frame the view...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>You then walk down into the area where we grow these big leaved tropical plants but at the time of these pictures they aren't very big!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Through the archway...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> ...and into an area that is planted with perennial plants for pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies. Quite a transformation from where you have just come from! On a hot sunny day these plants are literally buzzing with life!...</i></span></div>
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I'm going to leave your garden tour here and pick it back up on my next post as this will encourage me to post again soon and there is another project that I'm working on in the garden that I wanted to tell you about...<br />
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<u><b>Buddleia - Buddleja</b></u><br />
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As you will all know by now the plants in my garden have to have some use to wildlife and in particular I have a passion for butterflies and moths. Now one of the best plants that I grow for butterflies and moths is of course Buddleia or Buddleja. Commonly known as 'The Butterfly Bush' it has all the attributes to attract a wealth of wildlife which I like! I like a lot!<br />
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Having a couple of Buddleia already growing in my garden (Black Knight & White Profusion) I thought it would be fun to search for other varieties with a view of eventually trying to establish which Buddleia really is the 'best' for butterflies!!<br />
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So at the end of last year I planted about a dozen different varieties to get my Buddleia trial started!<br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Buddleja Davidii - White Profusion was one of two Buddleias that got my trial started. Here you can see how attractive to pollinators Buddleias really are... </span></i></div>
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I now have about 30 different species planted throughout the garden and it will be interesting to see how they evolve over the next couple of years. Will there be one that is better than all the others at attracting wildlife?? I wonder?<br />
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So far I can report that the white variety 'White Profussion' has been the best by far but it is also the most mature buddleia plant in the garden so I don't think we can fairly judge this at this time.<br />
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There are also many different types of Buddleia many more than I first thought with over 140 different varieties reported to be in existence from all over the world!<br />
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I intend to dedicate a whole blog or two to this superb wildlife plant and have introduced them and my trial here to give you a little taster of what's to come...<br />
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So I will leave you with a few Buddleja species from my trial and that are now happily growing in my garden in North Somerset....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Buddleja Davidii - Royal Red...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Buddleja Davidii - Peacock </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Buddleja Davidii - White Bouquet </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> Buddleja Lindleyana...</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Buddleja Nivea</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> Buddleja davidii - Adonis Blue</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Buddleja Davidii - Morning Mist Silver Anniversary...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Buddleja Davidii - Empire Blue...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJrOKmDYf5oRorMcTGqrP1oV0RZViEUbWC7hAnqjd8PYEPjqyWL14SWv4ZCd_spW_s-G2dfWxjUmsbn-0XeD5UUrqf8sN5xpVB4q7ho6z_1vjeiH4vZ8fPAur_zdvjGcXJj-KDWwQlaY/s1600/Buddliea+-+Buddleja+davidii+Empire+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJrOKmDYf5oRorMcTGqrP1oV0RZViEUbWC7hAnqjd8PYEPjqyWL14SWv4ZCd_spW_s-G2dfWxjUmsbn-0XeD5UUrqf8sN5xpVB4q7ho6z_1vjeiH4vZ8fPAur_zdvjGcXJj-KDWwQlaY/s320/Buddliea+-+Buddleja+davidii+Empire+Blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> Buddleja x weyeriana - Sungold</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Buddleja Davidii - Sugar Plum...</i></span></div>
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Just a very small selection of my Buddleja and I hope you agree very pretty flowers in a veriety of shapes and colours. Whatch this space for more details on the plants themselves and how my trial is progressing.<br />
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Bye for now, although I will post up again very soon :-)<br />
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Best regards<br />
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Higgy<br />
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-73840948381665640952016-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:002016-04-17T16:16:07.597-07:00Dry River Bed Revamp and a Garden Raised Deck Pontoon & Bridge...Hello All,<br />
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Well it's been another long break between posts but since my hip replacement back in September last year and now I haven't really been in the best of health and certainly not fit for too much gardening!<br />
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As you will know by now I like to have a 'project' on the go and as I was off this last week looking after my daughter and with my health moving in the right direction I thought it time to start a new one!<br />
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Unfortunately I don't have pictures of it's construction from start to finish as I usually post on here but I'm posting this to show that I am at last back and moving in the right direction!<br />
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So here it is my latest project which involved the tidying up and rejuvenation of the old dry river bed including the addition of a new raised deck seating area complete with bridge.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The pictures above hopefully show the new feature and how it sits with the rest of the garden.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The picture below shows that I have kept with the wildlife theme by providing habitats through the addition of a part buried log pile and the shallow pebble lined pond gives a great shallow bowl for birds to bathe in...</i></span></div>
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I haven't taken many pictures in the garden yet as I've been so busy getting my hand back in as it were, but it is great to see some spring colour now with the Primrose, Cowslip and Marsh Marigolds starting to push through...</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Marsh Marigolds add some much needed colour to the garden and of course provide nectar for early bees and other pollinating insects...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJJmKynakZgHP_8XzuAUqx0mi_zrZVPAiNm41yVzK5vfEdj3AyokupXzXJS4m-tTh1aW9X8BoMhGCNkazGXJ_CZg4p1qCjEXby1qFOfjQeE5wuOtlyQzigE4FflBu0FoDzXHjv9N3SOQ/s1600/20160414_180148_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJJmKynakZgHP_8XzuAUqx0mi_zrZVPAiNm41yVzK5vfEdj3AyokupXzXJS4m-tTh1aW9X8BoMhGCNkazGXJ_CZg4p1qCjEXby1qFOfjQeE5wuOtlyQzigE4FflBu0FoDzXHjv9N3SOQ/s320/20160414_180148_resized.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Ribes is another great spring time plant/shrub for early bees who adore this plant at this time of year..</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04F4dBoySpZSICSYloP0LTwwmAjGrcXChJUZ9xcehUhU7i2VgkY3nMesMeqvSoMY54Xu4KfuyOjNDzTfImqN22euZsItNFFPtw-pBQBPUltsIUuyMj7662RweusvDiu_jPyjDzuB0Ksk/s1600/20160414_175723_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04F4dBoySpZSICSYloP0LTwwmAjGrcXChJUZ9xcehUhU7i2VgkY3nMesMeqvSoMY54Xu4KfuyOjNDzTfImqN22euZsItNFFPtw-pBQBPUltsIUuyMj7662RweusvDiu_jPyjDzuB0Ksk/s320/20160414_175723_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Over the last month or so I have also been busy sowing seeds and pricking out. I hope to have plenty of plants from this little lot and the greenhouse full that I also have growing...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">I've ended up with so many plants growing from seed that I have had to use every bit of free space that is available, including my impromptu conversion of the windows above the garage door!!!...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">As well as the plants that I have growing from seed I have also, in true Higgy style, managed to collect the below plants from my local 'Freecycle' site! Freecycle is a great way to find free plants and of course to share plants with other like minded people also!...</span></i></div>
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I think that is about it for this post, I apologise that it's a shorter post than usual bu I am now in the middle of creating a garden area for my eight year old daughter as she wanted her own garden! I promise to be back soon when I've completed this project with a full update!</div>
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Unfortunately it's back to work tomorrow so I will now have to rely on evenings to get the odd hour out in the garden!</div>
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Thanks for reading and see you all soon.</div>
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Best regards</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-20631802290352893512015-11-27T08:53:00.002-08:002015-11-27T09:14:52.948-08:00Care Free Wildlife Gardening! And my Buddleia Test Challenge...Hello All,<br />
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As usual it's been a long gap between my last post back in May and this one now (November!!) It's been a funny old year as I spent the summer incapacitated as far as gardening goes due to my deteriorating hip joint. This meant in the end that even a basic job like planting or weeding would take me a long time and would prove very painful afterwards due to my lack of movement and flexibility. This meant that the garden had to fend for itself to some degree this year and obviously no new projects were undertaken.<br />
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In September I was finally given surgery and now have a new hip! Currently I am in recuperation and slowly rebuilding my muscle mass, walking distance and general maneuverability.<br />
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As I sit in my office overlooking the garden and watching our new resident Coal Tit pair, I think it's time to draw a line under the last few months that have been hard due to lack of actual gardening time. So I will use this post to simply update on the summers wildlife activities and how the garden fared looking after itself for a season!<br />
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As I've mentioned them let's have a look at one of our new garden resident Coal Tits...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Not the greatest picture but one of my new Coal Tit pair...</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>With just a quick mow of the lawn the garden itself actually stood up well to being slightly neglected for a season. Here we have a view across the Perennial Pollinating borders to the wildflower area in July.</b></i></span></div>
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<b> <span style="color: blue;"><i>Both the perennial borders (above) and the wildflower area (below) gave a good show of colour this year and I only planted in a few plants to fill gaps from plants that we lost over winter. Again these pictures were taken in July so half way through our summer season.</i></span></b></div>
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So although looking a bit rough around the edges the above pictures clearly demonstrate that a wildlife garden can prove to be low maintenance (not necessarily by choice!) whilst continuing to provide a good looking garden full of colour and beneficial to a variety of species!</div>
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There are a few things that I would have changed if I was able to but generally I think the plants worked very well and we still recorded a good variety of insects and other wildlife into the garden.</div>
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<b><u>Summer Garden Update</u></b> </div>
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In this next section I'm taking a lead from what I promised in my last post and will try to demonstrate what flowers and plants were particularly good for pollinators this year whilst also showing some of the wildlife that visited.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>As always Inula Magnifica makes a great statement plant with its large toothed leaves but is also a great reliable pollinating plant in the garden. It is especially loved by bees & Comma Butterflies.... </b></i></span></div>
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<b> <span style="color: blue;"><i>Ragwort is effectively a weed and is probably one of the most controversial plants as in large volume it is poisonous to live stock. Ragwort will seed itself into gardens and is so valuable for many rare insects that I let if grow with will, however I never let it seed to ensure that I am being responsible by not letting it loose into neighbouring fields where it could harm livestock....</i></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b> I've mentioned Crocosmia Lucifer in other posts before and I still stand by this as a great pollinating plant for early summer bees and in particular Bumblebees....</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Echinacea once again proved it's worth by attracting lots of bees and butterflies in August. White Swan is a variety that I have found to be the most attractive to pollinators...</b></span></i></div>
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<span class="st"><em><span style="color: blue;"><b>Verbena bonariensis is one of the best know plants for butterflies and bees and should be included in every good wildlife garden. As usual it proved the backbone of my perennial borders again this year! the butterfly pictured is a Painted Lady and we were lucky to get quite a few in the garden this summer...</b></span></em></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>If you include Verbena Bonariensis in your garden then try planting Verbena Hostata also. It's just as good at attracting pollinators but it's shorter length and conical shaped flower spires will give another dimension to your planting scheme. Generally this plant will grow to about three feet tall and makes a nice mid border perennial...</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>I include lots of Honeysuckle in my garden as its flowers are great for early pollinators, it provides hiding and nesting cover for birds and small mammals also. But what I really like is the berries that it produces in June. The berries are stripped from the plant from all manner of birds with juvenile Bullfinches and young Blackbirds generally being the first to them!...</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>In the wildflower area we had a good show of early plants such as Bird's Foot Trefoil, Knapweed and Field Scabious among other things. Unfortunately this year we were a bit overrun by Wild Carrot and although it has some uses for pollinators such as this Brown Argus butterfly I intend to manage it better next year. this will help to ensure that the other smaller plants don't get out-competed by it as they did this year....</b></span></i></div>
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<b> <i><span style="color: blue;">Making sure that the whole garden has some use for wildlife has been a goal of mine and therefore we mustn't forget the native wildlife friendly hedgerow and wildlife corridor that I have been carefully developing. Within our hedge rows I have planted a large variety of plants such as Guelder Rose, Alder Buckthorn, Elder Berry among many more species. Included in this planting scheme is native Hazel which is the food plant for many moth species. I was thrilled to find that one of our bushes was defoliated by a good sized clutch of Buff Tip Moth Caterpillars (as below) This demonstrates that even a slightly neglected wildlife garden will continue to support a wealth of wildlife if the right plants have been planted....</span></i></b></div>
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Back to the perennial borders and I have had great success with a plant called Veronicastrum. This grows to about four feet high and has lots of spires of pretty mauve or white flowers. It is a great addition to the back of a perennial border and I have found that the mauve colour is best as an absolute magnet to most bee species. This plant is a must!!.....</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b> Next to the large wildlife pond that I dug last year I planted a couple of Greater Burdock plants. These turned into large plants this summer and are quite architectural in their appearance which is a nice addition to a pond side. They produced a profusion of pinky/red flowers that the Carder Bees in particular loved this year. They were also visited by the odd butterfly.... </b></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Talking of architectural plants then the Cardoon is one of the best! A good friend of mine gave me a small plant last year and this year it turned into a six foot giant thistle like plant with several flower heads as below. The Bumble bees loved this plant and it's already started shooting again so hopefully we will have another giant next year!....</b></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>This next plant is one of my best butterfly plants but I rarely see it mentioned in other peoples lists. It's lysimachia clethroides and I think a cracking summer pollinating plant. I get all sorts of butterflies on it but have noticed that the Small Copper Butterfly is especially attracted to it. The plant is vigorous and throws up lots of spires covered in tiny white flowers not disimilar to the larger flowered Buddliea. Butterflies like to work their way along each flower on the spire that has a drooping habit making the flower head lie almost horizontal...</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"> <b>I grow as much Scabious as I can from the wild Field Scabious in my wild flower areas to cultivated forms mixed in my perennial borders. One of my favourites is the Giant Scabious that attracts lots of pollinators and stands over six feet tall making it an ideal companion to mix with Verbena Bonariensis or to use through a tall or prairie style planting scheme....</b></span></i></div>
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<b> <i><span style="color: blue;">Another success story of this year has been the return of our Sparrow family that disappeared for a couple of years. They have now been back for several months and are currently numbering at about thirty birds and successfully bred this year!.....</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>A plant that gave us much needed Autumn cover was the Japanese Anemone. Although wildlife friendly I wouldn't normally call it prolific, however this year in the warm October that we experience it performed really well and attracted lots of insects including late flying butterflies...</b></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Teasle simply self-seeds itself throughout the wildlife garden and so long as not out of place I let them grow up as the bees like the flowers but more importantly the Goldfinches strip the seeds in winter.....</b></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Higgy's Buddleia Test Challenge</span></b></div>
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Those of you who read last month will now that I planted about twelve different varieties of Buddleia or as often know 'Butterfly Bush' in my garden. This is to test if any of them prove more popular to butterflies than others. </div>
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It's obviously early days at the moment but I already have a few results that will go in the pot with the others when we get them.</div>
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This summer the two Budleia that seemed the most popular with butterflies was a pink coloured species that looks very similar in colour to our 'wild' Buddliea often seen in the countryside and a white variety that I have planted. Both bushes attracted butterflies with I think slightly more to the pale pink colour. However as with all these tests it's about their full potential and the white coloured species attracts far more moth species during night time which is of course another vital function of a well planted and functioning wildlife garden!</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>The pink coloured Buddleia in my challenge has so far attracted the most butterflies...</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>This white coloured species has attracted almost the same amount of butterflies as the pink but has one the test hands down due to the good numbers of moths that it attracts at night time...</b></span></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">It's not only Peacocks, all sorts of butterflies feed on Buddleia, like this Comma...</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Although extremely pretty this yellow coloured Buddleia isn't yet attracting pollinators...</b></span></i></div>
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It's early days at the moment on this test for the best buddleia but it will be interesting to see how this develops and if we can find the perfect Buddleia for the wildlife gardener...</div>
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This has turned into quite a long post now and I still have lots to tell you about this years wildlife found in the garden, some of which is very exciting! To prevent this post from getting any longer I'll leave this summers new arrivals to my next post!</div>
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Best regards</div>
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Higgy :-)</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-15287256393118927242015-05-29T18:33:00.002-07:002015-05-29T18:33:51.597-07:00Dog Friendly Wildlife Gardening....Hello All,<br />
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Once again time has flown by and I have to admit that Facebook <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SomersetWildlifePhotography" target="_blank">here</a> </b>has acted as a place for up to date daily reports. None the less this blog remains as the place where I post up my detailed projects and lists of plants, flowers and anything that I think might be of interest to others who are creating or thinking about starting a garden for wildlife.<br />
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Following on the dog theme from the last post and having now had Willow for a few months it has become apparent that wildlife gardening with a young dog isn't as easy as it first sounds and throws up lots of complications, especially with an untrained dog as Willow was when we first got her.<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: blue;">So here she is, Willow, cute isn't she?....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitojfvuKqBVpW1GKzmQApU3A32MXM-RuzjfE1H6fE5MUEhpUyX_ADvHxR7Ils0p1bjPHu5kziJ0mtPURn-yD83NlMmXtj1-OQF-awHB85P54rrrfFhrxtfzg8oQYgHeV2WTdQzrVEKdyU/s1600/Willow+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitojfvuKqBVpW1GKzmQApU3A32MXM-RuzjfE1H6fE5MUEhpUyX_ADvHxR7Ils0p1bjPHu5kziJ0mtPURn-yD83NlMmXtj1-OQF-awHB85P54rrrfFhrxtfzg8oQYgHeV2WTdQzrVEKdyU/s320/Willow+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well you might think she looks cute and generally you would be right as she is the most loving and affectionate dog that you could meet, but....<br />
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The first time we opened the back door and introduced Willow to the garden all hell broke loose! Plants got trampled, raised beds got dug and to top it off having spent hours of hard work erecting the fence she found the tiniest of holes and went to say hello to the neighbours garden!!!<br />
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What on earth have we let ourselves in for I thought to myself and how on earth am I going to firstly keep her in the right garden and then prevent her from wrecking it!?! Then how am I going to continue attracting my beloved wildlife into the garden when she wants to chase it and I presume eat it given the chance!?!<br />
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Quite a dilemma and not one we had experienced with out two previous rescue dogs!<br />
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So following some trial and error, plenty of head scratching and of course bundles of patience I have come up with a few tips that show that you still can garden for wildlife even with a mad dog. I hope that these will be of interest to some of you.<br />
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<b><u>Fencing</u></b><br />
This is a really interesting subject as we need to keep the dog in but at the same time welcome wildlife in....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>So here is our fence that we have had to erect just to keep Willow in the garden. As you can see we have simply hammered in stakes and then used 5ft high chicken-wire. As we have been growing a natural wildlife hedge we placed it in front of the hedge which will in time grow through and make it more of less invisible....</i></span></div>
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So we can now keep Willow in the garden and by putting up this extra 'layer' of fencing we have actually created a perfect wildlife corridor. The hedge is effectively sandwiched between this new fence and the old 'Deer Net' fence that willow could get through. This has created and area of solid hedging about 3-4feet wide and runs the entire length of the garden. I am now allowing a few stinging nettles to establish in here where they are out of the way. I am also now starting to create a few wood piles in here. This makes for a 'safe' area away from predators for lots of wildlife such as hedgehogs. The chicken-wire mesh is also big enough for medium and small birds to dive through when danger presents and allows access to most small mammals.<br />
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All in all adding another layer of fencing has actually created a superior wildlife habitat around the perimeter of the whole garden. The only downside is that we now have denied access to larger mammals such as foxes and badgers. To be honest this isn't always a bad thing as they can often be quite destructive in the garden anyway. My only real concern is that I have denied access to Hedgehogs who have done very well in the garden over the last couple of years so I needed to come up with solutions to rectify this.<br />
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After some consideration I have come up with following ideas for giving access back to my hedgehog friends....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Firstly I have created little entrances at several points around the fence by hammering two post into the ground with a piece of wood across the top to give rigidity and connect them to stop them being pushed aside. It is very <b>important</b> that you cut the net up the middle between the two posts. This can then be pushed back through the gap and the ends twisted around the existing netting, Then staple the wire to the frame to ensure that it is secure. I actually used a second piece of wire netting here for extra strength. A good site for a hedgehog entrance like this is by a path so that your dog can't dig out the pathway.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A simpler way and one that I have used at the end of the fence is to thread a wooden cross piece through the net, screw this to a post and then staple the net to it. I then fix a 'looser' plastic mesh over the top that a Hedgehog could easily push past or get under but it prevents a dog digging. For extra security I have also buried bricks under the entrances so that they can't be dug out any bigger than I want them.....</i></span><i style="color: blue;"> </i></div>
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An even easier option than the two methods above is simply to dig a dip under the fence big enough for a hedgehog to get under and then create a tunnel with breeze-blocks or heavy rocks that a dog can't move. If necessary this can be buried under soil with just a shallow dip showing under the rocks.<br />
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So now that we have kept the dog in and given access to the wildlife that we want in the garden I set about trying to figure out how to keep her off of my flower borders and most importantly the wild flower area that she simply seen as an extension of the lawn!!...<br />
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<b><u>Setting Boundaries</u></b><br />
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One of the biggest problems with an untrained dog is that there are no boundaries! So to aid her training and to keep certain areas dog free without a huge fence you need to set up clear and simple demarcation that your dog can be educated to adhere to.<br />
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Willow was simply seeing the longer grass in the wild flower area as another lawn so when she was shouted at to 'get off' it meant nothing to her. A simple solution to this is to give a visible barrier that clearly says that it's a different area. If it is clear and obvious and you remain consistent in your commands it's amazing how fast a dog will pick it up and stay off of the area (most of the time!)<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I erected a low rail alongside the path that I wanted Willow to take and to protect the wildflower and pond area. This clear demarcation clearly shows your dog why it is being told to keep off or out of an area. We are now rule setting but using a physical example that your dog will understand....</i></span></div>
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Although I have found simple demarcation very effective sometimes you have to opt for more substantial physical barriers and on my raised beds I have found this necessary.<br />
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The use of a more substantial approach is however not due to the bad behaviour of the dog as such but due to the neighbour's cat who see's the raised vegetable beds as her own private toilet!!! It's does stand to reason that when a dog gets the scent of a cat in the garden they will want to explore and unfortunately cat poo seems to be a delicacy to the canine taste buds!! (Yukk!!)<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Sometimes you have to simply use a 'fence it off' approach, although here it is to actually stop next doors cat from using the raised bed as it's toilet!!..</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3k3tCLBJNWtMxo2BZCEDt3ex8uafu5pnRomv4VKdXwWIuS0CC7AjqErZkTdMnztqa3kNsyAKAWkZZ6qnFHvO4_MvuRsMyRYaQCfPwnI3huj5FzjbUydmilaxpablagEvnilnEa2u2v74/s1600/Wildlife+Garden+%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3k3tCLBJNWtMxo2BZCEDt3ex8uafu5pnRomv4VKdXwWIuS0CC7AjqErZkTdMnztqa3kNsyAKAWkZZ6qnFHvO4_MvuRsMyRYaQCfPwnI3huj5FzjbUydmilaxpablagEvnilnEa2u2v74/s320/Wildlife+Garden+%252822%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>If you are really against using a fence then I have had good success with just using wire-mesh pieces placed on top of the soil. This has to be several smaller pieces rather than one large piece. The cats don't like this and it's great for soil that you have dug but not yet planted....</i></span></div>
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So there are a few of my ideas and projects that I have put into practice recently to great effect. There is no substitute for a well trained dog and I have certainly found that being consistent and setting clear boundaries is helping with Willow's general behaviour and training. This is a great thing for her or any other dog as she doesn't need to stress about it as I make the decisions and put the rules in place for her, which is what most dogs generally want (strong leadership).<br />
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Interestingly since we have had a young dog who could potentially catch a cat and certainly makes that known to the local cat population, we have had very few cats in the garden. This means less cat mess and less birds being caught off the feeders so all in all gardening with dogs is beneficial in so many ways as well as being great fun! ;-)<br />
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So before I go here's a quick round up of what's going on in the garden at the moment and to prove that it hasn't been wrecked by our four-legged friend...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's really encouraging to see numbers increasing of Mason Bees like this Red Mason Bee and other solitary bees. They were out early this year also....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Esperia sulphurella</i></span> <span style="color: blue;"><i> is an interesting but tiny moth that feeds on decaying wood. A moth trapping session in the garden this week produced ten new garden records from the 26 species recorded...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This dragonfly hatched form the new wildlife pond created last spring! Unfortunately it was plucked out of the pond by Willow!......</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz8-eymj-x8-25W-lBsgk7u-TQl3kvyihOrRvZStJxjdin8gOBu0A28vhZeDPA9hHlqZcg5ms8bS1Cvzz2mIXK_ejo-qAXNZyMv-PMnO5lKv3aXwt34d4OXyjmXbUlQVnpTvISm6EArI/s1600/Four-spotted+Chaser+-+Libellula+quadrimaculata.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz8-eymj-x8-25W-lBsgk7u-TQl3kvyihOrRvZStJxjdin8gOBu0A28vhZeDPA9hHlqZcg5ms8bS1Cvzz2mIXK_ejo-qAXNZyMv-PMnO5lKv3aXwt34d4OXyjmXbUlQVnpTvISm6EArI/s320/Four-spotted+Chaser+-+Libellula+quadrimaculata.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I managed to rescue it from between her teeth and to my amazement it recovered and flew off unharmed, even better it was a Four-spotted Chaser so another garden first!!... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's that time of year when the garden is full of different Iris and they fit in well with the 'wild' feel of the garden and all the water. I'm always amazed how often they are visited by bees and too often overlooked in the wildlife garden....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Now that the wildflower area is growing up we start to see lots of weird and wonderful bugs and beetles that are really interesting and surprisingly colourful close up, this one is Malachius bipustulatus..</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I love the Orange-tip Butterfly as it's one of our first emerging spring butterflies and the male pictured here is quite difficult to photograph as they never sit still for more than a couple of seconds. The good numbers this year enabled me to get e few good shots though...</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Persicaria in its many different forms is a stalwart in the garden and this has been a source of early nectar for early Bumblebees this Spring...</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Probably my best performing flower of the year so far is Wall Flower 'Boules Mauve' I'm growing more and more of these each year and they flower profusely for such a long time making them a superb addition to the spring/summer border....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>There have been a couple of small projects recently such as the addition of this new raised bed in the seating area. Of course in true 'Higgy recycling' fashion it was made from reclaimed roof timbers!!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A look down the Spring formal lawn. The perennial borders are starting to get going and the white and purple Evening Scented Stock' show well. Supported at this time of year by Geums and perennial Knapweed that the pollinators love....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The wildflower area and wildlife pond created only a year ago have been superb in attracting all sorts of wildlife including, frogs, newts as well as damselflies and dragonflies. It's simply amazing how quickly life moves into a new pond!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This small damselfly hatched from the wildlife pond and was immediately predated by a larger Large-red Damselfly! Nature can be so cruel....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have created a couple of beds for my newest experiment. I have now planted twelve different species of Buddleja to try and establish if there are any species that are better at attracting butterflies than others. Whatever the results turn out to be I will be assured of plenty of colour I'm sure!...</i></span></div>
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So that's about it for tonight, I hope that this post has been of interest and that you fellow dog owners will view gardening with a dog in a different light now? It's like all things you adapt, make changes but work it out in the end.<br />
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I continue to promote wildlife gardening as something for the whole family to enjoy, even our four-legged friends!!...<br />
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Next time I will get back to some more summer planting for pollinators and let you know what else I have been up to between now and then!<br />
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As always thanks for your continued support, I hope that you continue to enjoy my mad ramblings and please do send me your comments and ideas as I'm always keen to hear them!<br />
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Best regards<br />
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Higgy<br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-48437000456553940372015-02-25T16:17:00.001-08:002015-02-25T16:18:46.612-08:00Loss of a good friend and planting for summer's Pollinators....Hello All,<br />
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It really has been quite some time since my last post back in the nice weather last year when I was building a bridge over a flower border into my daughter's play area!<br />
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Time has moved on and to be honest no further work has been done in the garden other than the erection of about 220ft of mesh fencing around the bottom sections of the garden!<br />
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"Why the mesh fence when you're trying to encourage wildlife in?" I can hear you all asking.<br />
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Unfortunately just before Christmas we lost our old dog and best friend Choco! Those of you that watch my progress on here, facebook or even know me from the RSPB on-line Community will know that Choco really was my shadow and was always only a few inches away from me, particularly whilst I was out working in the garden! He was the most wonderful companion and so trusting for an older rescue dog who had such a bad start in life.<br />
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He featured in many a post on-line and some of my infamous 'badger stake-out' videos that we ran on the RSPB forum. In fact he became quite a celebrity in his own way.<br />
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Unfortunately Choco gave up his fight having suffered from old age and a couple of illnesses and on December 1st 2014 he let us know that he had had enough and was put to sleep at home in his bed with all his family around him. I'm not too 'macho' to say that I shed a good number of tears over the loss of such a special friend!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Choco having a snooze in his favourite place - out in the garden by my side so that he could keep an eye on me to ensure I didn't abandon him as he had experienced in earlier life...</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Choco R.I.P 01/12/2014</span></i></div>
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You are now probably wondering where this post is going and how it will ever link into my garden project?</div>
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Well it's that fencing again, remember that I said that I laid about 220ft of fencing at short notice over the Christmas period? There was a reason.....</div>
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Following the loss of Choco our home and lives felt empty so the decision was made to rescue another dog and this would be our third rescue to date. Having rescued Choco in his later years we wanted a younger dog so that our daughter could be a bit more hands on and we hoped would have a good amount of time growing up alongside it.</div>
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When you put children into the mix your choice of dog has to be considered very carefully so after much deliberation and research we decided on a Lab or Springer Spaniel. We looked at several dogs but just couldn't find the right one as they were too big and boisterous or just completely mad!</div>
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After some time we were rang up by <a href="http://www.happy-landings.org.uk/" target="_blank">Happy Landings Animals Shelter</a> in Shepton Mallet, Somerset and they stated that they had an 18month old Sprollie (Springer/Collie X) that they felt would fit perfectly into our family set up and lively life style. Although a good distance away from home we paid several visits, fell in love and eventually brought home Willow....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Welcome to the Higgy madhouse Willow!</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBKPYMjD5b0jmnLt4QmmFbLMaMNVuQ7Myz2kkPlpvNxfWesirsDONp3rCv5E9kRFtNJP8UJAWK9dcFduYTX51R7XuhIsbGr8GQ1BSPgZo1RobnP-Z-izEZQcfdY44PNd87Zz0skaRNiE/s1600/Willow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBKPYMjD5b0jmnLt4QmmFbLMaMNVuQ7Myz2kkPlpvNxfWesirsDONp3rCv5E9kRFtNJP8UJAWK9dcFduYTX51R7XuhIsbGr8GQ1BSPgZo1RobnP-Z-izEZQcfdY44PNd87Zz0skaRNiE/s1600/Willow.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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We soon learned that taking the mind of a Mastermind champion, the endurance of an Ironman and a formula one turbo charger then mixing them all up and creating a dog gives you a Sprollie!</div>
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Basically a Sprollie is a supercharged brain on legs!</div>
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Although highly intelligent, highly trainable it soon became apparent that she was also highly 'escapable!!' which I hope explains the reason for my hasty and very rushed erection of the fence!</div>
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Unfortunately in my haste to secure the garden I trampled over most of my flower borders and did a fair bit of damage to the garden! this combined with heavy water-logged winter ground ensured that the garden was well and truly trashed! This has now caused me to have rather a lot of work to do to get the garden back looking as it should this summer!</div>
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I am looking at this as a positive though and an opportunity to rethink some of my planting scheme by digging up the borders, splitting large perennial flowers and replanting for pollinators once again.</div>
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So after quite a long introduction here are my thoughts of what I shall be re-planting in my trampled borders and why....</div>
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My Perennials For Pollinators - <b>PART ONE</b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Astrantia</b><i> - One of my favourite perennials for early summer, plant front to middle of a border and they will take most situations including both shade and damp ground. Irresistible to Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and most other pollinators</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7gDQOTHjbqdMOween0skELLtMXN0f9FhUvpUzveXeMsMxQOH3WHNvXHxx-WO67CTZ_Hu5wwKpNV6cCSBfNyZxRMdJGlAHOfPnN4DyGyxXFYaKvnjc3ofw_hNk6DvLkoHA3myLUjp9wk/s1600/Astrantia+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7gDQOTHjbqdMOween0skELLtMXN0f9FhUvpUzveXeMsMxQOH3WHNvXHxx-WO67CTZ_Hu5wwKpNV6cCSBfNyZxRMdJGlAHOfPnN4DyGyxXFYaKvnjc3ofw_hNk6DvLkoHA3myLUjp9wk/s1600/Astrantia+(6).JPG" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Bergenia 'Elephant ears purpurea - </b><i>Again front of the border for Spring flowers and evergreen ground cover. Will take sun or shade and again a range of soil conditions. Great source of nectar for early Spring Pollinators.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Campanula Canterbury Bells</b> -<i> Flowering at the height of the summer you will be amazed at the bee activity around these unusual large cupped flowers. Mid birder in sun will keep these happy but be sure to watch the bumblebees that will come out of them covered in pollen!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Salvia </b><i>- I use lots of different varieties and sizes. Bees love them they smell great and generally flower mid-late summer. They need full sun and good drainage. they don't over-winter on our damp heavy clay here but should if you have good drainage and dry conditions for them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Crocosmia Lucifer </b><i>- Not known as a pollinating plant but they get plenty of visits from Bumblebees in my garden and are a nice plant to add some drama in the border. Again surprisingly adaptable and despite popular belief they actually benefit from plenty of water or a slightly damp ground.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Aster -</b><i> There are lots of different varieties of Aster and we will use a few different types to add interest and longevity to the feeding season. Aster comes into it's own late summer and into Autumn where it will keep flowering until we have the first frosts. Best in a sunny spot on reasonably well drained soil, doesn't like our waterlogged winter ground but will happily over-winter in drier conditions.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Helenium -</b><i> A great pollinating plant loved by bees and butterflies! Tall so can be used in the middle or back of the border. Sunny position prefers a well drained soil. I under-plant these with annual Corn Marigold wildflowers and it works really well for attracting in all sorts of pollinating insects!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Inula </b><i>- Great summer butterfly & bee plant, especially useful in very hot sunny areas or extremely hot years as they cope well with drought and seem to keep attracting pollinators even when other plants are stressed and struggling</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><b>Monarda -</b><i> great bee plant for a sunny summer border</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Rudbeckia Goldstrum </b><i>- An underrated plant. Adored by the Small Copper Butterfly. There are plenty of other Rudbeckias to chose from also. Mid to back of the border depending what type you plant. They like full sun and well drained soil but do over-winter on our heavy wet clay soil here.</i></span></div>
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So that's my first ten pollinating perennial plants that I will be planting in me borders when I revamp them in the Spring. I have plenty more choices that will be going into my garden and to share with you also.</div>
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Next time I will continue with my list of pollinating plants but will start to include a few other ideas such as wildflowers and bulbs that can be added and make perfect partners for your perennial plants and give your pollinating bed a real 'Zing!'</div>
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I will also get some pictures of the new fence and give you a few ideas of how we can still let some wildlife in whilst keeping Willow safe and sound inside the garden!</div>
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Until next time....</div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-6939269455476489892014-09-01T16:33:00.002-07:002014-09-01T16:33:47.965-07:00Easy Build Bridge for Child Friendly Wildlife Garden...Hello All,<br />
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Yet again I start another blog post a long time after my last post and as is usually the case the good weather has seen my time spent in the garden and not on the computer writing about it!<br />
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Although I much prefer my time outside I felt that I must come on and update you all on my wildlife pond and show you a new feature built for my daughter recently.<br />
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Before I tell you about the new child friendly feature I will give you a quick update on the pond that you will know from previous posts was dug this Spring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXl3VvdJFeSbltaecnEeZqrO7RYglQVfJnAPX0LEkqXqc0n0o-i-9dG2W0V61xPgxa1LQ0zb3G52wIkndTro5o2bG1y7rFCn3PoifmZZ-DRh1QWgitcFlteomP0xYflyUvty87wBi-BE/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXl3VvdJFeSbltaecnEeZqrO7RYglQVfJnAPX0LEkqXqc0n0o-i-9dG2W0V61xPgxa1LQ0zb3G52wIkndTro5o2bG1y7rFCn3PoifmZZ-DRh1QWgitcFlteomP0xYflyUvty87wBi-BE/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>So at just six months old you can now see that the wildflower planting around the outside of the pond has really taken off and gives the area a nice natural feel. The planting inside the pond is also adding to this feel and providing a great habitat for variety of animals and insects...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Visitors to the pond...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CJNDV3pdpY8dD8M6UHKb7lUvwcKK8hfVD8sfdholHg154sAA-9Gg7of9VTJkOeM9YfffwBaamw1SUPpT4W25hZkjNa3jzp2wHDjK1kIpIRSOStyFsl9w72PR4S2bs0nPrIPTTRmodlo/s1600/Common+Darter+-+Sympetrum+striolatum+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CJNDV3pdpY8dD8M6UHKb7lUvwcKK8hfVD8sfdholHg154sAA-9Gg7of9VTJkOeM9YfffwBaamw1SUPpT4W25hZkjNa3jzp2wHDjK1kIpIRSOStyFsl9w72PR4S2bs0nPrIPTTRmodlo/s1600/Common+Darter+-+Sympetrum+striolatum+(9).JPG" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Last time we spoke about the Damselflies but now these have made way to Dragonflies that are also depositing eggs into the pond. Above is the plentiful Common Darter and below is a Migrant Hawker both seen in the garden around the pond....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Although my Blackbirds still bathe daily in the pond all sorts of birds use the facility to wash and drink from like this thirsty Greenfinch...</i></span></div>
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I always talk about my wildlife and the things that I enjoy in the garden but for some time I haven't mentioned my daughter in this blog!</div>
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If you cast your mind back to my first post one of the key things for this garden was to demonstrate that you can have a wildlife garden that is family and more importantly child friendly!</div>
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Of course my daughter has her play area with slide, climbing frame and trampoline etc but like all young children they get bored and desire other things to keep them active and entertained.</div>
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This presented me with a bit of a challenge as I was also looking to find a little more planting space so building new play equipment would take up space that could be planted in!?!...</div>
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Cost is of course always a factor and in the current climate we really couldn't afford to be buying brand new equipment or even materials to build something.</div>
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After much head scratching and discussions with my daughter as to what she wanted it was decided that building a bridge into her play area would be just the thing to add a bit more fun to her part of the garden! I could also see this as an opportunity to provide more planting space by creating a pollinating flower border the complete length of the play area and using the bridge s a means to get over the border and into the play area, how exciting!!...</div>
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Materials!!??...</div>
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Now this was a question! obviously wood would be first choice as it fits into the theme of the rest of the garden. Also I had a large pile of reclaimed roof-joists in the garage just waiting for a likely project!! These joists are 3x3inch and between 6-8feet long so I would need to be creative in my design but at the same time wanted to show how someone could make a really simple but effective 'play-bridge' feature out of reclaimed materials....</div>
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So first job was to sort out how many lengths of wood we would need and cut them all down to about the right size. I left the pieces that would be used for the steps slightly over sized so they could be 'adjusted' as required. This is also a good time to get the kids involved and once cut my daughter and I spent about two hours in the garage painting each piece of wood. This has two effects; the first being that you get a protective covering on every side of each piece of wood. But it also makes your children feel like they are really involved in the building of these play features with you!!....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>So once the posts had been cut and painted we ended up with a wooden jigsaw like this...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkrVP7v9oe2OJDMwVAnuNGREiOFMAE-thrMrpNmQ4bYKioBrhjyx0lQdvKta2cpkZZc3rD0B8ok1uYNJYFqdostvW9t5pSDGt_gcb_LmA9LpRtQOkP0UqGHP6t1XCqzxi3dWGZwNVhQA/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkrVP7v9oe2OJDMwVAnuNGREiOFMAE-thrMrpNmQ4bYKioBrhjyx0lQdvKta2cpkZZc3rD0B8ok1uYNJYFqdostvW9t5pSDGt_gcb_LmA9LpRtQOkP0UqGHP6t1XCqzxi3dWGZwNVhQA/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(4).JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>To get started on your bridge l</i></span><i><span style="color: blue;">ay the small base pieces on the ground where you want the steps to be located whilst using one of the longer lengths to ensure that they are in the right place at both ends of the bridge...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaFD-ARagN5z4aE5pe9LktRqF6ZFXRXWkDCJS8BrZLUkxEXDUVexKVW_5uipucFrNGggg67rcuFDSiCEmE4m9bo8-Cw-isWcQqNQI7FsJ9mkSl_kykse71mo_sm_dgXHzcrF2e_gj7X8/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaFD-ARagN5z4aE5pe9LktRqF6ZFXRXWkDCJS8BrZLUkxEXDUVexKVW_5uipucFrNGggg67rcuFDSiCEmE4m9bo8-Cw-isWcQqNQI7FsJ9mkSl_kykse71mo_sm_dgXHzcrF2e_gj7X8/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(5).JPG" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once happy with the position of the base pieces of wood start building your bridge 'dry' without screwing anything together or using any fixings at this stage...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrA96hnQt0D7_4U68RqjYA46jX89Lh-yGrByYoTowzdsyRoyg17br09hMGDWbPD3i2dSWTbqnsTdeCS0Ygy8roPNcBcISV3re8iarPB888colUtAGQpRmZnG9DKRvRqLUMOTlAIHJ9gI/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrA96hnQt0D7_4U68RqjYA46jX89Lh-yGrByYoTowzdsyRoyg17br09hMGDWbPD3i2dSWTbqnsTdeCS0Ygy8roPNcBcISV3re8iarPB888colUtAGQpRmZnG9DKRvRqLUMOTlAIHJ9gI/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(2).JPG" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Building the bridge 'dry' like this enables you to make adjustments as you go along to ensure that you get it in the best position possible. You can see by the picture below and above that the design is a simple 'stacking' of the various pieces of wood. It is at this stage that you could decide to add extra pieces to make your bridge higher or as you can see here trim pieces to ensure they fit in the space correctly.....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxGjbJEu8nmThggA86qogh6k0qYfStmrL4Ln_mLlRowR-Ibv5He9OC2hgzf39s7IESLGurrqpSHxLVEla41Xejex4hw5-_hbs-w1T6ElOPeYVFqiRK1izvhspk0MyPeHBoO_wSngWIBU/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxGjbJEu8nmThggA86qogh6k0qYfStmrL4Ln_mLlRowR-Ibv5He9OC2hgzf39s7IESLGurrqpSHxLVEla41Xejex4hw5-_hbs-w1T6ElOPeYVFqiRK1izvhspk0MyPeHBoO_wSngWIBU/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(3).JPG" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>So now you have the base of the bridge fully assembled. You are 100% happy with it's positioning and have made any adjustments or cut pieces of wood that required it you are ready to proceed to the next stage....</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">DISMANTLE!! Yep that's right you now need to take it all apart again! Now a word of </span><span style="color: red;">Warning </span><span style="color: blue;">here. When dismantling do it piece by piece and very carefully. What you don't want to do is move your base pieces as they are in the exact position where they need to be to support your new bridge!...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Having not disturbed them cut around your base pieces with a sharp spade and then dig out the area where the bases will sit..... </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Back fill the holes with concrete and reset the base pieces into the concrete using the end of a lump hammer handle to gently tap then into the concrete mix. </span><span style="color: red;">Important - </span><span style="color: blue;">At this stage you must use a spirit level to ensure that the base pieces at both ends of the bridge are level or as I did just very slightly off level to allow drainage of water along the bridge.</span></i></div>
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Once you have got to this stage and the base pieces are firmly concreted into place it's a simple matter of following the above process but screwing each piece of wood into place and into the piece below. For ease I pre drilled and countersunk every piece to ensure a nice even and neat finish.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>You now have the base of the bridge finished and fixed firmly in place....</i></span></div>
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The final part of the build is to add some handrails to make the bridge safe to use but to also make it look a lot more 'bridge like'</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>To add handrails simply get six round stakes (like the wooden stakes that are often used in fencing or to stake trees) and cut the spiked end off of two. Put those two posts aside and hammer the other four into the ground right next to the bridge. Use a tape measure and spirit level to make sure that they are evenly spaced and level and then drill and screw each leg onto the bridge base as below.... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvERNbzq7nFUNuebXOv8MIcZjfuniVu6Iqv65JOD0iGH_zFiPovNzjluJqXHBMJUHL6BMqieYXCso3ycjoOw_b_z8A1kn6CWLRVAxlgI1H9L4KhelseY-pre_BRU942_5tLwCmU9X8Lo/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(9)%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvERNbzq7nFUNuebXOv8MIcZjfuniVu6Iqv65JOD0iGH_zFiPovNzjluJqXHBMJUHL6BMqieYXCso3ycjoOw_b_z8A1kn6CWLRVAxlgI1H9L4KhelseY-pre_BRU942_5tLwCmU9X8Lo/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(9)%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Hammering the post into the ground is for safety reasons to make sure that the rails are solid and any children leaning on them aren't going to cause them to collapse. Make sure that they have had a couple of good coats of preservative to slow down any rotting of the posts.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Now take the two 'spikeless' posts and lay them along the upright posts on one side of the bridge and mark with a pencil where each upright meets the rail. Using a chop saw it you have one cut the section between each pencil mark out to create a shallow grove the width of the end of the upright. Once cut out simply lay back along the two uprights so they sit in the groves and screw a long screw down into the upright to fix the handrail firmly into place as below. Then simply repeat this process on the opposite side...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>At this point add another lick of paint and remember to paint the ends of the pieces of wood that were cut earlier. This obviously makes the bridge look finished but more importantly helps prevent the naked ends from rotting...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kQwFPbcY7Ta6JlPvd4AqW_kfVtE_BBBKKd3XkwLN_jFTmFGbi7lBTYGJd_zjwhsekkGPuxri8V1HHXIlxoCNgZ9Sxl5Rt940Ilj0cCVHTZ-kT4-mVjxnR8-QFklf9YN-TuZm1S_QApU/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kQwFPbcY7Ta6JlPvd4AqW_kfVtE_BBBKKd3XkwLN_jFTmFGbi7lBTYGJd_zjwhsekkGPuxri8V1HHXIlxoCNgZ9Sxl5Rt940Ilj0cCVHTZ-kT4-mVjxnR8-QFklf9YN-TuZm1S_QApU/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(9).JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
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So there you go a really simple and quick way to build a garden bridge and of course another fantastic feature in our child and family friendly wildlife garden. The size and height of the bridge is only limited by your imagination so why not have a go and bridge a flower border like I have rather than have a boring path or bridge a garden pond and then paint it whatever colour you want!!...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRRYlTTdMVk9BrBgWc-8thXcd9ekmoXyh8qKDFtmiLHzcw6h0zubYwRQipGTmtJf5EoJkzVzBvIzr84gu7o-OqIuy-u7yV-bVsQjGb8PkTn_TlQzW1nLr2GlkCXYQlxKiHO8zr6-1oNk/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRRYlTTdMVk9BrBgWc-8thXcd9ekmoXyh8qKDFtmiLHzcw6h0zubYwRQipGTmtJf5EoJkzVzBvIzr84gu7o-OqIuy-u7yV-bVsQjGb8PkTn_TlQzW1nLr2GlkCXYQlxKiHO8zr6-1oNk/s1600/Simple+Wooden+Bridge+(7).JPG" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The finished bridge built in just one day!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>As you have seen from other posts I used the same design for the new pond and it works well over water also!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqdNJfzKwGzstourOQNiDRJAHK1MhIkJDIaeura_pIK95LyvbCgLreQXY8pjjlB05h4ZYzxPuBZB6KDhAD8UalN6Z_Q3n8kY1AXXqJPnkiFYJL804zUmD95-UV2ME4aBYuftaOkmoca8/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqdNJfzKwGzstourOQNiDRJAHK1MhIkJDIaeura_pIK95LyvbCgLreQXY8pjjlB05h4ZYzxPuBZB6KDhAD8UalN6Z_Q3n8kY1AXXqJPnkiFYJL804zUmD95-UV2ME4aBYuftaOkmoca8/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(4).JPG" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's about where I have to leave it this time but I will leave you with my Top Tip...</div>
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<span style="color: red;">TOP TIP - </span>My bridges have been built using reclaimed roof joists from a builder that I know. This is a very cheap way to source timber for this sort of project as the price of tips has escalated recently meaning that many builders are more than happy to create extra space in their skip by letting you have some wood! Just remember that you can't help yourself and must always ask before taking away anything such as this. </div>
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The only downside is that the timber won't be treated so will need painting or a few coats of wood preservative but what a great way to recycle and if your really lucky Freecycle!! :-)</div>
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See you next time</div>
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Best</div>
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Higgy </div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-44278865834460385292014-06-19T15:57:00.001-07:002014-06-19T15:57:33.538-07:00Wildlife Pond, Wildflowers and Wildlife. Now that's Wild!!....Here we are again but two moths on since my last post, which I can only apologise for! My lack of writing should actually be seen as a good thing as it generally means that the weather has been good and I've been out enjoying the garden!! I'm pleased to report that this is the case and I have plenty to tell you all about.<br />
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So with skin tanned and muscles stretched from all the recent hard work here's an update on the new wildlife pond from where we left it in my last post.<br />
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Two months is a long time in nature and just look at how the pond has come on in this time....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Three months after the pond was started it looks really settled with the wildflower area starting to come into bloom around it....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbixEPIT319ZL0Si4jMjls3sXwSF0nNqXXmBhFq-Y6__uoQHKbZzjEXygcr_rEXK9d_VHcZrg4tPtNvYtlQct2dz4xpY6f-3IRd_oCDowqMLeUr2tSQCfLa4Hx1w6v62qC6QAde4N6fw/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbixEPIT319ZL0Si4jMjls3sXwSF0nNqXXmBhFq-Y6__uoQHKbZzjEXygcr_rEXK9d_VHcZrg4tPtNvYtlQct2dz4xpY6f-3IRd_oCDowqMLeUr2tSQCfLa4Hx1w6v62qC6QAde4N6fw/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(29).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Another view of the pond as it is now, it will continue to improve as the summer goes on!!</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: blue; text-align: center;">The two pictures above and below hopefully help to demonstrate how the design of the pond fits into the wider landscape in this part of the garden and will in time look really natural....</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw96fcNCfShi_elB1D7ptcwecexcPOyHSuwWyHyD_Egt22vibyUto44RjUyWGbeQV3G6YtmFYxI_yGzKE8wU45fsBFQMjyVaXcorvE4ShjUNfb77kH4Z4ITLsy7AtAdPJ1Eax6OKi8uc/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw96fcNCfShi_elB1D7ptcwecexcPOyHSuwWyHyD_Egt22vibyUto44RjUyWGbeQV3G6YtmFYxI_yGzKE8wU45fsBFQMjyVaXcorvE4ShjUNfb77kH4Z4ITLsy7AtAdPJ1Eax6OKi8uc/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+%252828%2529.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the pond starting to mature really quite quickly I needed to concentrate my attention on the wildflower area that sits along side the pond and will in time surround this water feature making it a little oasis for passing wildlife.</div>
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Below I will cover some of the wildflowers that I like to use and I will also try and let you know what wildlife species they attract....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Corn Marigold</b> is one of my favourite wildflowers as it is simple to grow from seed, flowers all summer if deadheaded but best of all is a magnet for hoverflies. We all often forget what important pollinators hoverflies are. I also mix Corn Marigolds in with my perennial plants to provide pollinating bedding plants!!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOixUGFhme47dxQ0r1C_KO6OmIa3TPU2NEgCAa_TyjD1d6iUJhMwuaQj5n5mmuV7SJpQYZ-PFxTAITzjsbe9msZa-FtKv2VQzYdShwe3MNFv5E0i3rZIOsEZugBoSZVNK91nMY_Av_Uxw/s1600/Hoverfly+-+Eristalis+arbustorum+on+Corn+Marigold.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOixUGFhme47dxQ0r1C_KO6OmIa3TPU2NEgCAa_TyjD1d6iUJhMwuaQj5n5mmuV7SJpQYZ-PFxTAITzjsbe9msZa-FtKv2VQzYdShwe3MNFv5E0i3rZIOsEZugBoSZVNK91nMY_Av_Uxw/s1600/Hoverfly+-+Eristalis+arbustorum+on+Corn+Marigold.JPG" height="320" width="301" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Common & Greater Knapweed</b> are both superb pollinating wildflowers adored by bumblebees and many butterflies (Large Skipper pictured). As with corn marigold I use them in among my perennial planting schemes and as they are perennial themselves they come back every summer! I like them mixed with Helenium where they make a great mix for Gatekeeper butterflies among others.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Californian Poppy</b> isn't a native wildflower but it's bright colours act like a beacon to passing pollinators which may come down and feed on more suitable flowers. They do however attract some of our smaller flies and hoverflies....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Oxeye Daisy</b> is a cheery early summer plant loved by most pollinators....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMNNhuzeufThjLcFHFzsniXTJgwqKtefEagn1KXBLeNp03YVDuXrF2EEzkzum1WbJoh4jgjUOdgnmMA3nbyTnYSJwNYYCIJNTtINzluNjTyXZIITv1IkcVYRnIZcYJsuiVwuD3TZEfpE/s1600/Volucella+bombylans+on+Oxeye+Daisy+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMNNhuzeufThjLcFHFzsniXTJgwqKtefEagn1KXBLeNp03YVDuXrF2EEzkzum1WbJoh4jgjUOdgnmMA3nbyTnYSJwNYYCIJNTtINzluNjTyXZIITv1IkcVYRnIZcYJsuiVwuD3TZEfpE/s1600/Volucella+bombylans+on+Oxeye+Daisy+(2).JPG" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Toadflax</b> is a superb bee plant loved by all types of bee. The purple variety is a native wildflower often pulled out by gardeners as it seeds and grows freely but often not where it's wanted! I love this as a bee plant and let it grow where ever it wants! The variety pictured is a cultivated pink form and I have found this to be just as good for bees so worth adding to the wildflower garden.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Wild Mignonette</b> is loved by bees and a food plant for some of the white butterfly caterpillars...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoOTAx7WCr6iBj0rPAVcC2Z2X4Fy-2G20nCslyML1cOK1eH1w4hTsRpEGimksLtih8KqnFtKSlv3OHhYV8jPef7dSbwHC_GcZiD-sY31eFNBRTO1aoAIe_HmwQNMLZT6KuQmTH_P8YjY/s1600/Wild+Mignonette.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoOTAx7WCr6iBj0rPAVcC2Z2X4Fy-2G20nCslyML1cOK1eH1w4hTsRpEGimksLtih8KqnFtKSlv3OHhYV8jPef7dSbwHC_GcZiD-sY31eFNBRTO1aoAIe_HmwQNMLZT6KuQmTH_P8YjY/s1600/Wild+Mignonette.JPG" height="320" width="278" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Forget-me-not</b> is one of the most underrated flowers for early pollinators and again pulled out by many gardeners as a free seeding invasive pest! It is one of the earliest flowers along with dandelion that offers pollen for lots of species. In this picture you can see it also offers a hiding place for predators like this pollinator eating Crab-flower spider... </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Birds-foot Trefoil</b> is probably our best butterfly plant attracting many different species including this Brown Argus and the Common Blue among many others...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YC0cQh_t1vFokt52hnw-WyrSjLVLcwdz2uOunV9lhG29YXw10nYJPOg-ysoR07WqYl3QoEqjlJfq-DvtzHT73OL6MRzWqN2ly8cErOM4Jv9WR3TqXY_8onPiqv35iv6_i2ogWvH1ojQ/s1600/Brown+Argus+-+Aricia+agestis+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YC0cQh_t1vFokt52hnw-WyrSjLVLcwdz2uOunV9lhG29YXw10nYJPOg-ysoR07WqYl3QoEqjlJfq-DvtzHT73OL6MRzWqN2ly8cErOM4Jv9WR3TqXY_8onPiqv35iv6_i2ogWvH1ojQ/s1600/Brown+Argus+-+Aricia+agestis+(4).JPG" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Perennial Flax</b> is a strange one as it shouldn't really grow on my heavy soil as it's a chalkland plant but it seems to be doing well and will attract pollinators...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4j8ohxeF7YMVJ9qS_tnWffGQDs3Phb-Y6VMkEIk2qfD8cEOLK3Kk3KAROTKUKu5gzTX2fLDtzE-BVby4iE9duqp6oiyJygvlILPFncNk4feMOkMV4CGvix-TOZPyQ3EvHbYsg6CLyKV0/s1600/Perennial+Flax+-+Linum+perene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4j8ohxeF7YMVJ9qS_tnWffGQDs3Phb-Y6VMkEIk2qfD8cEOLK3Kk3KAROTKUKu5gzTX2fLDtzE-BVby4iE9duqp6oiyJygvlILPFncNk4feMOkMV4CGvix-TOZPyQ3EvHbYsg6CLyKV0/s1600/Perennial+Flax+-+Linum+perene.JPG" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Cuckoo-Flower</b> is a spring wildflower of damp ground and is superb for Orange-tip and Green-veined White butterflies. It grows well on our heavy clay soil here....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkdTco4RiFGk9DcIT4dF-peVVaebRxdWS4NXckfGqTmB1IrkeviXn6yUtQSi_bQ2yuz9VIj8_DftDczIqoe7NVIPz6yOJSItB6Ix2n26l6AHTCHC0_DWoRs0pHJonLJH_mXh_uHf7GRw/s1600/Cuckoo+Flower+-+Cardamine+bulbifera.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkdTco4RiFGk9DcIT4dF-peVVaebRxdWS4NXckfGqTmB1IrkeviXn6yUtQSi_bQ2yuz9VIj8_DftDczIqoe7NVIPz6yOJSItB6Ix2n26l6AHTCHC0_DWoRs0pHJonLJH_mXh_uHf7GRw/s1600/Cuckoo+Flower+-+Cardamine+bulbifera.JPG" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Mixed Grasses</b> are vitally important to include in a wildflower mix as there are many species of moth and butterfly that lay their eggs among the grass and then their caterpillars feed on it.... </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOF3_XUqg4kyzdw-vRFL4Fk8zS5XjcjbBBxb_dvejhh0A_B3Cs9M4N6deBzSwDJKk6GxOrq_K7m1pChjgN4kuRpRikS5jb2QYaasVKqW_TVLWLZLD06jbAQN2FHur19IThpRdzSn3WqY/s1600/Common+Blue+-+Polyommatus+icarus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOF3_XUqg4kyzdw-vRFL4Fk8zS5XjcjbBBxb_dvejhh0A_B3Cs9M4N6deBzSwDJKk6GxOrq_K7m1pChjgN4kuRpRikS5jb2QYaasVKqW_TVLWLZLD06jbAQN2FHur19IThpRdzSn3WqY/s1600/Common+Blue+-+Polyommatus+icarus.JPG" height="320" width="295" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Corn Chamomile</b> is from the daisy family and is a little annual plant that will self seed and is visited by bees and other pollinators....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXK6-j0fPR-hftwpm83YxDrDP9W1VVGAmBm7cxNKGSRN_U0uqbN6Q_J85Tndmyq8-MFCy5YMVSWtHLee5m10-hRjd1zRscYsaWNY8y769hN1qHlkOfkj19wUYpDP_tDJc0xV3Ai9_1aAs/s1600/Corn+Chamomile+-+Anthemis+arvensis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXK6-j0fPR-hftwpm83YxDrDP9W1VVGAmBm7cxNKGSRN_U0uqbN6Q_J85Tndmyq8-MFCy5YMVSWtHLee5m10-hRjd1zRscYsaWNY8y769hN1qHlkOfkj19wUYpDP_tDJc0xV3Ai9_1aAs/s1600/Corn+Chamomile+-+Anthemis+arvensis.JPG" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Cornflower</b> is a blue flower that everyone knows, visited by bees and other pollinating insects but there are other colour variations such as this white version...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosHEDDxUEj_aWUwqY-1WY8letjn7Hx7B7pvkP5YsMtzgDVlfEQ3BQ-56ZTQjl2gFL51iIN3HmNE3oN0p0epgeH8dSWVWBb47VpxQwbrJgNXwoAgVlgjp0eI4trCvyCA7R7qGrHcm_Qsk/s1600/Cornflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosHEDDxUEj_aWUwqY-1WY8letjn7Hx7B7pvkP5YsMtzgDVlfEQ3BQ-56ZTQjl2gFL51iIN3HmNE3oN0p0epgeH8dSWVWBb47VpxQwbrJgNXwoAgVlgjp0eI4trCvyCA7R7qGrHcm_Qsk/s1600/Cornflower.JPG" height="320" width="302" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Field Scabious</b> is simply superb for bees and butterflies. I have actually found that all Scabious species to be top rate pollinator plants including cultivated versions that can give you something a little different....</i></span></div>
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The above demonstrates a small selection of the wildflowers that we have growing in the garden and most are in flower now. As the season moves on more will come into flower providing a rich source of nectar for pollinating insects. I will post up another selection of my favourite wildflowers that I grow here in future posts. I hope that these at least give you a few ideas for your own patch.</div>
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Before I leave I will post a small selection of wildlife that has been visiting this area of the garden and the new pond....</div>
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The new pond has attracted really high numbers of Damselflies and I'm including a selection below so that you can see the difference in colouration and the difficulty in identifying species....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Azure Damselfly</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qoRq9ySyfhAoSql4lVBVbLSAwuEhsf3FtSbgoy6Ys4shtG7mWqCZj6RMU6Z1Xzn2bz3Gq_7dIb9UcnrsyhMEIy8YRyK4GGJnOYFMZyWRPqtOmFieO7zGs-cX1zRl3vnAsL4mKj84FXQ/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+coenagrion+puella+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qoRq9ySyfhAoSql4lVBVbLSAwuEhsf3FtSbgoy6Ys4shtG7mWqCZj6RMU6Z1Xzn2bz3Gq_7dIb9UcnrsyhMEIy8YRyK4GGJnOYFMZyWRPqtOmFieO7zGs-cX1zRl3vnAsL4mKj84FXQ/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+coenagrion+puella+(9).JPG" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue; text-align: center;">Azure Damselfly</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXocYR5O3h3d3_JKbmhgERDMJ4sRNEJm-fyI8auXivuF4SThzjdQD_lvlKHC7eJdajAAzpq21J066AXIHfHyfmPOUn_5iA6_L-PXVEdVfC2bbNXxsXbkQC_NtxYBO6jJcapoWUD2QF42Y/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+Coenagrion+puella+(27).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXocYR5O3h3d3_JKbmhgERDMJ4sRNEJm-fyI8auXivuF4SThzjdQD_lvlKHC7eJdajAAzpq21J066AXIHfHyfmPOUn_5iA6_L-PXVEdVfC2bbNXxsXbkQC_NtxYBO6jJcapoWUD2QF42Y/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+Coenagrion+puella+(27).JPG" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue;">Azure Damselfly</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBi45KH0VitlMTjaxCTt2LJ4BQLCur7RMfdRqWjf-wLoQ71XbQnqQQqzHn27p3M5Atoxl0pb3y4TUcS2w56p73Mureh2_SQwrLA5sZr4w5OQ_vYTU1hNn0ZPuuZMAeDKp28M9m91UNdJ4/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+Coenagrion+puella+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBi45KH0VitlMTjaxCTt2LJ4BQLCur7RMfdRqWjf-wLoQ71XbQnqQQqzHn27p3M5Atoxl0pb3y4TUcS2w56p73Mureh2_SQwrLA5sZr4w5OQ_vYTU1hNn0ZPuuZMAeDKp28M9m91UNdJ4/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+Coenagrion+puella+(17).JPG" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue;">Azure Damselfly</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe9zZhPS0pmpyzZxMopK7J3DWiU2lI1X3exrZLcx3ygRU79CKpD1qKQccIDXsE3j8Dkt5WtRW5qVve5V1TF3fJCPZ2JvecN_S497C3QtAlocj6cv8RduuC70eAr87a3JigEy7mqcklec/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+coenagrion+puella+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe9zZhPS0pmpyzZxMopK7J3DWiU2lI1X3exrZLcx3ygRU79CKpD1qKQccIDXsE3j8Dkt5WtRW5qVve5V1TF3fJCPZ2JvecN_S497C3QtAlocj6cv8RduuC70eAr87a3JigEy7mqcklec/s1600/Azure+Damselfly+-+coenagrion+puella+(13).JPG" height="298" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue; text-align: center;">Azure Damselfly</i></div>
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As you can see the Azure Damselfly comes in many different colour forms!</div>
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Here are other types that visit the garden....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Blue-tailed Damselfly...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Large Red Damselfly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Common Blue Damselfly...</i></span></div>
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Dragonflies showing in the garden at this early stage of the summer are...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Broad-bodied Chaser....</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">And Southern Hawker....</span></i></div>
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There have been lots more exciting sightings in the garden over the last couple of months but unfortunately too many to list on here. I will leave you with a picture of our latest success story which has been the arrival of a family of Hedgehogs! This is really great news as the Hedgehog is under major decline and I know that we have a family of at least 4 hogs! </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>One member of a new family to the wildlife garden busily mopping up fallen meal worms that have proved irresistible to the hogs!...</i></span></div>
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That's about it for this post so I will bid you all farewell and many thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Please do feel free to comment or pass on any suggestions that you may have for the blog or my garden.</div>
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Higgy</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-75138536997359433522014-04-15T17:26:00.000-07:002014-04-15T17:26:08.046-07:00Wildlife Pond Build Continues and Leads to an Early Bath... Hello All,<br />
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Once again time has got the better of me! But I have been out making the most of the good early sunny hot weather. It certainly beats all the wet weather that we had over the winter time and it's not only me who's been out enjoying the weather but the wildlife also, which is once again starting to wake up in the garden.<br />
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To pick up where we left off on the last post I will continue to guide you trough my main project at the moment which is of course my wildlife pond build....<br />
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On the last post we left the build just as we had finished excavating the actual pond. Being for wildlife the pond doesn't need to be to deep but I still like to have an area somewhere in the pond that is at least two foot deep, this deeper water gives a safe area for insects and amphibians to over-winter in if we should get cold winters. In a wildlife pond you wouldn't generally keep fish but I will mention here that if you do build a pond with the intention of keeping fish then the pond should be at least three foot deep. My own opinion is that it should be at least four foot in some places for fish keeping.<br />
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So here we go then....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once excavated I crawl around inside the pond and remove any stones or roots that I can see and which could potentially puncture the liner. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSe2gqtkbE9GUUBE55g_mIKh0Gy_QNbV13mtgceJCdqvHwKvQxdzmsdSsJSrZAAHQqIUZF4q2b5C8ZX_4Lc0zQkSiVq8ehoCWxlgBgugbqCmUg84aQcse3dGWjm5cM6EIucEtXKJ9Oow/s1600/wildlife+pond+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSe2gqtkbE9GUUBE55g_mIKh0Gy_QNbV13mtgceJCdqvHwKvQxdzmsdSsJSrZAAHQqIUZF4q2b5C8ZX_4Lc0zQkSiVq8ehoCWxlgBgugbqCmUg84aQcse3dGWjm5cM6EIucEtXKJ9Oow/s1600/wildlife+pond+009.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>There are various types of liner and my first choice would normally be EPDM which is a tough lining material with all the attributes of a butyl rubber liner but at less cost. Unfortunately current finances meant that I couldn't afford EPDM and I've opted for a PVC liner of a good quality. To help protect it I have also purchased a good quality pond liner underlay...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-DuZNIXsVyuOjXaBqteCSvf4Chy8s-fD5J5JELfty_Edjj-S8ZEv7QH-0qPKf-ykSUMSeTRymPkWKu1rUOQFW2w7ewPoZPkfG00CzqIqvi29hNPR_nR1d8pngt8zErHlWHC7uXbm12w/s1600/Pond+liner+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-DuZNIXsVyuOjXaBqteCSvf4Chy8s-fD5J5JELfty_Edjj-S8ZEv7QH-0qPKf-ykSUMSeTRymPkWKu1rUOQFW2w7ewPoZPkfG00CzqIqvi29hNPR_nR1d8pngt8zErHlWHC7uXbm12w/s1600/Pond+liner+001.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once the layer of sand about half to one inch thick has been added around the whole pond and firmed in I add the underlay ensuring that it overlaps well where there are joins. I attempt to get a minimum of two thicknesses across the whole pond area.....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWTjbfpQYx82R0M1q4LCBgs73I4e1OjTvXUROhCBSK6EmvIBbKxMCgVicliQ3Ci-iqnhScsj1lduCILdVfuT0u9FPAFWMPbcAT3YTR4xcYdU4yw1U6r6ZVG_5ymZUjalC97H_fa8BRUs/s1600/wildlife+pond+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWTjbfpQYx82R0M1q4LCBgs73I4e1OjTvXUROhCBSK6EmvIBbKxMCgVicliQ3Ci-iqnhScsj1lduCILdVfuT0u9FPAFWMPbcAT3YTR4xcYdU4yw1U6r6ZVG_5ymZUjalC97H_fa8BRUs/s1600/wildlife+pond+013.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Now it's time for the liner but prior to fitting it pays to lay it out flat on the lawn in the sun, this warms the liner up and makes it more pliable and therefore easier to mold into place....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX-7u1BX4gd7_3rY7P8gGUM58bI3OrO8PnXe6-cqwSnMWxOYi9Sdn58gIjh1mG2Y-FQ4dbVXvOqIEs7Prw856Qh98SE4pV7818ce5p02lCicGgTnJyjRns0yvMU9pJ-YymORUc2ORgH0/s1600/wildlife+pond+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX-7u1BX4gd7_3rY7P8gGUM58bI3OrO8PnXe6-cqwSnMWxOYi9Sdn58gIjh1mG2Y-FQ4dbVXvOqIEs7Prw856Qh98SE4pV7818ce5p02lCicGgTnJyjRns0yvMU9pJ-YymORUc2ORgH0/s1600/wildlife+pond+016.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I actually laid this liner on my own but it does pay to have a few people on standby ready to help!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Then run a hose into the pond and let it gradually fill up. Whilst this is happening you must be present to neatly fold and neaten creases as the liner molds around the contours in the pond. If you don't get it neat now then you won't be able to make adjustment once filled as the weight of the water won't allow you to change how the liner lays...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWOMMY3h4UoIp71iR9p6X41wvEEemH5wEBcuRuWzoDImAiXnv8xtzZr1RcIyix16bKzmzHhbggoVJmb9mzEm90QnpXV503eCreiUBj9tsZJfOEF1tLq5b6IgnwFYcq5L5HZZgmLD974o/s1600/wildlife+pond+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWOMMY3h4UoIp71iR9p6X41wvEEemH5wEBcuRuWzoDImAiXnv8xtzZr1RcIyix16bKzmzHhbggoVJmb9mzEm90QnpXV503eCreiUBj9tsZJfOEF1tLq5b6IgnwFYcq5L5HZZgmLD974o/s1600/wildlife+pond+017.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Trim around the edges but be careful to leave a good overlay as when fully filled the water could still pull down the liner a bit more...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG5iyFSUt4pxPoovqL26aNPnEvhBfwAdF0bgPQ3mJXh4S1bxUR2EYpBM3bw6zMYetwtOrN_skNfmN_OpqF3RfvuGmzKC4aVTyVysVeQgCZaxexXFFbKzoE-rM4d5YGWHw7Ci0y3Rr7Mk/s1600/wildlife+pond+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG5iyFSUt4pxPoovqL26aNPnEvhBfwAdF0bgPQ3mJXh4S1bxUR2EYpBM3bw6zMYetwtOrN_skNfmN_OpqF3RfvuGmzKC4aVTyVysVeQgCZaxexXFFbKzoE-rM4d5YGWHw7Ci0y3Rr7Mk/s1600/wildlife+pond+020.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Now you are ready to start thinking about the landscaping around the pond and how to hide the edges of the liner....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I decided to add a bridge and this was simply added by concreting some wood into footings on each side of the pond and then once dry screwing some 3"x3" posts across them as below...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL7Vfz-ZxRkSHv9waCAxJSVFL5cKOTndcHfhL-qNIEb7f1vzofUblAgszS_YkBlRP1RQi9ft8ORcVkCs3sg0AdCN__ZWs9JaaeLTzCGZzyjxOS0aP1fdLJHAhX1GpfP_i51tpawGEbPo/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL7Vfz-ZxRkSHv9waCAxJSVFL5cKOTndcHfhL-qNIEb7f1vzofUblAgszS_YkBlRP1RQi9ft8ORcVkCs3sg0AdCN__ZWs9JaaeLTzCGZzyjxOS0aP1fdLJHAhX1GpfP_i51tpawGEbPo/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(3).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">This simple bridge was made out of some old fence posts and now creates a walkway to the seating pod...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-S6eXFCVPlVj7jlC-mbB7SjoSFys3SjtyhAXu8n_w1JOP8Z3pSUXTg6VVpB1vu7XPupIG0BZ7-lA_KNq-stzIIJipsxNEoAxT_P-oIyb0t6K9DYvBPpUdPy47z6q2PVkFOs5gshiG8Y/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-S6eXFCVPlVj7jlC-mbB7SjoSFys3SjtyhAXu8n_w1JOP8Z3pSUXTg6VVpB1vu7XPupIG0BZ7-lA_KNq-stzIIJipsxNEoAxT_P-oIyb0t6K9DYvBPpUdPy47z6q2PVkFOs5gshiG8Y/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(2).JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I decided to hide the edges of the pond by putting large rocks on the upper shelf and then back-filling the space behind with a mixture of clay soil and fine gravel. This makes the perfect planting medium for your marginal plants.... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cZdLhCMHp9Ye11uiWq9q2nyJ_h9dn-O29bHzw9uiSahGNLd7n8CtnvbO2DUl_wpWcbGSbhvOCc_DoIDudJlYmXBCitjXEXQJIAtnkqx08XDnHkh-m1Yq16gKZVRki2ADiYe1KGzSfKY/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cZdLhCMHp9Ye11uiWq9q2nyJ_h9dn-O29bHzw9uiSahGNLd7n8CtnvbO2DUl_wpWcbGSbhvOCc_DoIDudJlYmXBCitjXEXQJIAtnkqx08XDnHkh-m1Yq16gKZVRki2ADiYe1KGzSfKY/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(6).JPG" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue;">Note that I re-used the clay from the excavation and mixed it 50/50 with fine grit, this is perfectly OK to do and will save you a lot f money over buying unnecessary pond compost.....</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXaYFupljJk3EC0turkUOKtlojLlZ7zOXdbfeFG3uCbC96S6OIdax9NSwLjTt-fBXUNxK_N0-vV6Xb8H-FWHkCyKwxGcTfyzP4DxKQbG1RnguHGdWUzrfxzJj4Dd4tIyxy4grMbG9GkQ/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(11)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXaYFupljJk3EC0turkUOKtlojLlZ7zOXdbfeFG3uCbC96S6OIdax9NSwLjTt-fBXUNxK_N0-vV6Xb8H-FWHkCyKwxGcTfyzP4DxKQbG1RnguHGdWUzrfxzJj4Dd4tIyxy4grMbG9GkQ/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(11)-001.JPG" height="299" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue;">So here is the pond once the marginal landscaping was finished...</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzaEa2gtqazz_C2g-J4ks1RPAkFNfs9jYoPZ3GcnE8poPbdu10-y3h0-8oX5TcYbewlsaT3MxbN3bpIkqLHEhKChpnlT2iO_IrcpRmORzWcjMjcSkQXV8vw6PtRGRAzMsUTdNk8VbraQ/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzaEa2gtqazz_C2g-J4ks1RPAkFNfs9jYoPZ3GcnE8poPbdu10-y3h0-8oX5TcYbewlsaT3MxbN3bpIkqLHEhKChpnlT2iO_IrcpRmORzWcjMjcSkQXV8vw6PtRGRAzMsUTdNk8VbraQ/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(10).JPG" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">At one end I have included a shallow beach area that allows easy entry / exit to wildlife to safely use the pond. This is especially important if Hedgehogs fall in the pond to ensure they can get out....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqs0SPepMz8Bx3TfgpQtBSNRJKyNFsMDYixdWTPOM4FRPHBQN3Gb0InBUG7CMZhR3hUlPP8aOe-mx_hNTMpCHkSaG5rL8nM0b4iomNdg_whZLPci9j-px1S_4Xi_7AcWFJHCC-AbG6bY/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqs0SPepMz8Bx3TfgpQtBSNRJKyNFsMDYixdWTPOM4FRPHBQN3Gb0InBUG7CMZhR3hUlPP8aOe-mx_hNTMpCHkSaG5rL8nM0b4iomNdg_whZLPci9j-px1S_4Xi_7AcWFJHCC-AbG6bY/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(12).JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">As if giving this new feature it's seal of approval my resident Blackbird has taken over the job as security guard for the pond and uses it at least twice a day for his morning and afternoon bath!!!!....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwZ5qSfoSfFk7ZeLxI-j8yGSjgwOyQ2vtbeUXU8rVGZUxL_0qGYy0yt8OJlBvvyMpWDl5pJldH-oIDe8MAMDBkk1ZtWvrgwVvyHDXTbQdIDTuc27kvTjefJneoXK9BubZ7VvKRNy4x0E/s1600/Blackbird+-+Turdus+merula+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwZ5qSfoSfFk7ZeLxI-j8yGSjgwOyQ2vtbeUXU8rVGZUxL_0qGYy0yt8OJlBvvyMpWDl5pJldH-oIDe8MAMDBkk1ZtWvrgwVvyHDXTbQdIDTuc27kvTjefJneoXK9BubZ7VvKRNy4x0E/s1600/Blackbird+-+Turdus+merula+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Oq0cldpOj98QNlHeImZqpkQfWo9kLdh_i1BHy6oOjqEdpT98IQWNrRClyN6YLNvwJhegfAQpgWLB3qTtCF-139dnTmzYS_FKLWTB2ogbyYnV0LjORHpFxAYCbzDLM-LENI-43qtDxIA/s1600/Blackbird+-+Turdus+merula+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Oq0cldpOj98QNlHeImZqpkQfWo9kLdh_i1BHy6oOjqEdpT98IQWNrRClyN6YLNvwJhegfAQpgWLB3qTtCF-139dnTmzYS_FKLWTB2ogbyYnV0LjORHpFxAYCbzDLM-LENI-43qtDxIA/s1600/Blackbird+-+Turdus+merula+(3).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although I have already started planting a few wildflowers around the pond and preparing areas to put back to wildflowers and make up for the lost area from creating this new feature, I will leave this update until my next post. This should give plenty of space to give you the names and pictures of the plants that I intend growing to attract all of our beloved pollinators and of course in the hope of attracting a few more new species into the garden!</div>
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This just leaves my usual round up of what wildlife we have been seeing in the garden over the last few weeks.... </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Sticking with the pond theme what about this magnificent Great Diving Beetle - Dytiscus marginalus. A first for the new pond and a first for the garden!!...</i></span><i style="color: blue;"> </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypcQn6Po93B8ltR7feTLviniqYcfN4NP8P2ESExRA3EFRMuBBI4RHg31qVSZuQSdEsm44I8rsr-DhveALv-1NEjCM-8vQijZDrQtTGphLva2-aBfONq4VnmXp1FwrvPr_m3fH2AlUc1A/s1600/Great+Diving+Beetle+-+Dytiscus+marginalus+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypcQn6Po93B8ltR7feTLviniqYcfN4NP8P2ESExRA3EFRMuBBI4RHg31qVSZuQSdEsm44I8rsr-DhveALv-1NEjCM-8vQijZDrQtTGphLva2-aBfONq4VnmXp1FwrvPr_m3fH2AlUc1A/s1600/Great+Diving+Beetle+-+Dytiscus+marginalus+(3).JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">I make no apologies for posting up another 7-spot Ladybird as they are so numerous in the garden which is great!!...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheVWUXFgnCo85Vi31zq64GS11pQVy7KunUYHiqgqgZIPnFzDWuvEwcFRK9Olqxsb5amGV2t5MwwZmQnps9eyi9p5VOm9PW4Z9XwaZXbVERF2Fs-ZccxAVf78HDDEa_EXOvyFgsoacaW8/s1600/7-spot+Ladybird+-+Coccinella+7-punctata+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheVWUXFgnCo85Vi31zq64GS11pQVy7KunUYHiqgqgZIPnFzDWuvEwcFRK9Olqxsb5amGV2t5MwwZmQnps9eyi9p5VOm9PW4Z9XwaZXbVERF2Fs-ZccxAVf78HDDEa_EXOvyFgsoacaW8/s1600/7-spot+Ladybird+-+Coccinella+7-punctata+(2).JPG" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Although common a new recording for the garden was this </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>Bee Fly - Bombylius major</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD0wWsf4bYElnkZcvc40lTMjApS8bpDYr5wME1JMlsRjIRrhMf04A9CcgK78HbGDM9F1DOECG9YV1cTaVr6HqSfjRsSedPOxNZatnO8y4kng83FG1jRZ-_svZoC-yWFHdmBueINZTvag/s1600/Bee+Fly+-+Bombylius+major.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD0wWsf4bYElnkZcvc40lTMjApS8bpDYr5wME1JMlsRjIRrhMf04A9CcgK78HbGDM9F1DOECG9YV1cTaVr6HqSfjRsSedPOxNZatnO8y4kng83FG1jRZ-_svZoC-yWFHdmBueINZTvag/s1600/Bee+Fly+-+Bombylius+major.JPG" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Another new record, Sloe Bug - Dolycoris baccarum....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdpnyQVPUsHFE2SO1btkDrVm8l27CO57yP1JRUVhTTr1l6O-zosZsTeOfDI1hRmUdboXq6IcgVd2jYWZaKhltbujVrBiPlEmLxUoanjktyrdTVq-d3Vq1Ym9yF7QFJ_AbxHn3hDCLWsg/s1600/Sloe+Bug+-+Dolycoris+baccarum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdpnyQVPUsHFE2SO1btkDrVm8l27CO57yP1JRUVhTTr1l6O-zosZsTeOfDI1hRmUdboXq6IcgVd2jYWZaKhltbujVrBiPlEmLxUoanjktyrdTVq-d3Vq1Ym9yF7QFJ_AbxHn3hDCLWsg/s1600/Sloe+Bug+-+Dolycoris+baccarum.JPG" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Not a </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>new hoverfly for us but welcome none the less was this Syrphus vitripennis</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVcpTb8-7OTCuUvwKqtfxrN-gPyMxrZZZLa8Oqx6YLCsC8RXSN32ayYfSOzr_2hsUDAoAlycxj30jE4c178WOlmFH_tFiUTJOonsken4T_oUcfID2YNTl_CYA2vFrLprITYZIR_Alabc/s1600/Syrphus+vitripennis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVcpTb8-7OTCuUvwKqtfxrN-gPyMxrZZZLa8Oqx6YLCsC8RXSN32ayYfSOzr_2hsUDAoAlycxj30jE4c178WOlmFH_tFiUTJOonsken4T_oUcfID2YNTl_CYA2vFrLprITYZIR_Alabc/s1600/Syrphus+vitripennis.JPG" height="320" width="278" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">It has been a great year for us in terms of birds, not new species but great numbers of our regular birds with the highlight for me the continued daily presence of our </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>Reed Buntings - Emberiza schoeniclus.....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfAyepOobSr-FQJNWz7zEA48J5Oj86IyOuyC_74V2gsuVsr9Un7JZgow6S8gaQxMDgVwcX8qXwWQ4c6B5GzTcCBhyphenhyphenEK0wgNkf9Qc4vudM7xrCmO7E2FmjEUsbEQXxC_TcjTkFMj5L99U/s1600/Reed+Bunting+-+Emberiza+schoeniclus+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfAyepOobSr-FQJNWz7zEA48J5Oj86IyOuyC_74V2gsuVsr9Un7JZgow6S8gaQxMDgVwcX8qXwWQ4c6B5GzTcCBhyphenhyphenEK0wgNkf9Qc4vudM7xrCmO7E2FmjEUsbEQXxC_TcjTkFMj5L99U/s1600/Reed+Bunting+-+Emberiza+schoeniclus+(2).JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">These green / blue beetles are called </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>Chrysomelidae Alticinae and were in good numbers and breeding in the garden last month....</i></span><i><span style="color: blue;"> </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaU5GnufNjuDm1IkLa-akv_S16qbmJa9NIGu64h2qXpq-ZGYCnEA-cCoKxxz4DHtyVtcTX_uf5woK5Bf6scSj-Azh40HXHz7zzpKLIH7BoEejPih-HPoq08BMVgoY372Xefdi98NzCtQ/s1600/Chrysomelidae+Alticinae+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaU5GnufNjuDm1IkLa-akv_S16qbmJa9NIGu64h2qXpq-ZGYCnEA-cCoKxxz4DHtyVtcTX_uf5woK5Bf6scSj-Azh40HXHz7zzpKLIH7BoEejPih-HPoq08BMVgoY372Xefdi98NzCtQ/s1600/Chrysomelidae+Alticinae+(4).JPG" height="320" width="286" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Finally it is absolutely brilliant to see the return of our hedgehogs and they are actively feeding in the garden and seem especially partial to my dry meal worms that I put out for the birds! </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMpXSYDrYXGwqrrApv0vpea_eQulWfIHLhYxZ3Vy4Wd0RoVm1YLf32iNQnosNisOIa6tNm5XHKlsejdoNpdyiT6LfLLeUnwWLwq0xJwDqDry7VQV1T6hE4Cl4lxh0Up2wia7kFFTbUXY/s1600/Hedgehog+-+Erinaceus+europaeus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMpXSYDrYXGwqrrApv0vpea_eQulWfIHLhYxZ3Vy4Wd0RoVm1YLf32iNQnosNisOIa6tNm5XHKlsejdoNpdyiT6LfLLeUnwWLwq0xJwDqDry7VQV1T6hE4Cl4lxh0Up2wia7kFFTbUXY/s1600/Hedgehog+-+Erinaceus+europaeus.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hedgehogs are in serious decline so I'm really pleased to have the back in the garden again. I'm hoping that my hedgehog houses have helped by giving them a safe warm place to overwinter in. I can't check the boxes as they are buried under the hedges in the garden to provide safety and extra warmth for any hedgehogs that are using them but live in hope that they have helped.</div>
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Despite having posted my plans for a home built hedgehog house on Facebook recently, here they are again for anyone else who wants to help save our hedgehogs by providing shelter in their own garden....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDm5fWACMBUrSDTXwUKErK5GrrAzqkSVOjd0JsyENEKVOu8CBQgWkmjcix0aPsmSsqqfwD4vlXn1WX8J-ARM2MX4eBqLALF7B07fgkGZEm2hgXonXtuCkca-eD5nYrw8uoDPMAdg4gBN4/s1600/Higgy's+Hog+House+Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDm5fWACMBUrSDTXwUKErK5GrrAzqkSVOjd0JsyENEKVOu8CBQgWkmjcix0aPsmSsqqfwD4vlXn1WX8J-ARM2MX4eBqLALF7B07fgkGZEm2hgXonXtuCkca-eD5nYrw8uoDPMAdg4gBN4/s1600/Higgy's+Hog+House+Plans.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that's it for now, next time I will update you on the planting in and around the pond which will include my wildflower area which is currently going through a complete re-vamp!</div>
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As always thanks for reading and do please keep your comments coming in as I will always answer them and continue to enjoy chatting with you all....</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-54547971066674089432014-03-09T16:44:00.000-07:002014-03-09T16:44:29.505-07:00Build a wildlife pond and lots of early season pollinators...Hello All,<br />
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Well what a difference a little dry weather makes and even more of a difference when you add mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine into the mix!!<br />
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As you will have read from the last post, I have been planning the construction of a decent sized wildlife pond over the winter months as the weather and garden have been too wet to get much done.<br />
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The weather over the last week has been good enough to get this long awaited project started and this weekend it's been positively 'summer like'! This warm weather has also brought out lots of early pollinators that I will show you later on in the post along with some of the plants that they are visiting.<br />
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Without further ado here is a quick rundown of the construction of my wildlife pond so far....<br />
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Firstly last weekend I cleared the area by cutting back the old wild flower stems and grass from last year. So as to cause as little disturbance as possible to hibernating invertebrates all the cut stems were put carefully under the hedge to ensure that any insects were kept safe.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once vegetation was cleared and material that might harbour hibernating insects had been moved to a safe place the rough size and outline of the pond was marked out with a spade...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The top six inches of soil was then dug out so that it was easier to visualise and make any adjustments that may be required as below...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3aVxTXVbAvR3Vx8UPpvu2PtKzWdaXNhi7PqlRb7kHzhi3CO9MWPKOtFMjcY7yOgHNbZb6J-UKSKzaHvUAj7XtNNmlQHeN15L-flYCNljMzDQW-ceiK42lpYh25Xdot82JIUzsz3jJnk/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3aVxTXVbAvR3Vx8UPpvu2PtKzWdaXNhi7PqlRb7kHzhi3CO9MWPKOtFMjcY7yOgHNbZb6J-UKSKzaHvUAj7XtNNmlQHeN15L-flYCNljMzDQW-ceiK42lpYh25Xdot82JIUzsz3jJnk/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Some of the soil dug out including the top soil that had wild flowers growing in it was used to landscape this area and create banks that will provide better draining than the the rest of the garden. This gives a different situation and will allow for the planting of wild flowers that prefer better drainage nad that I might not have been able to grow normally... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The bank of the dry river bed was then dug back and concrete footings put in for the old stone wall to be built on. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3LLRB75392O0a7pdRPz39hihohLaw7NXbbVo5ul9amc14yDuQKmA8tzTT_qG9lwQTtXPngAI9DPaYwA_szLYzy-2kW3Ho2u9aaGI4YoY4TckINZKCxP3KsmD9NqaGc5j0r62ZjfaXro/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3LLRB75392O0a7pdRPz39hihohLaw7NXbbVo5ul9amc14yDuQKmA8tzTT_qG9lwQTtXPngAI9DPaYwA_szLYzy-2kW3Ho2u9aaGI4YoY4TckINZKCxP3KsmD9NqaGc5j0r62ZjfaXro/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(4).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Using old stones that have all been reclaimed from adverts put on the wanted board at work, I built the below retaining wall. This wall will act as a 'dam' to the pond and give a reason and connection for the new pond sitting above the dry gravel river bed. You will see that I have left a gap in this wall to allow for the pond liner when laid to sit in this gap with another thinner capping stone cemented on top. This will then act as the overflow for the pond and again give a relationship to the riverbed.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuzbzJ_WiGIHuZgWwbSrvyhLAfPqynRYw2nmfM6eYGqYdEP2vH5dC6T7d8U7ILVW2wFVNppY1fASwAzp9pGHFTu7c4zAzkqToakMaos1v2q7918P7SLfSYH905sCTS-nxp1gm8zdd9RI/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuzbzJ_WiGIHuZgWwbSrvyhLAfPqynRYw2nmfM6eYGqYdEP2vH5dC6T7d8U7ILVW2wFVNppY1fASwAzp9pGHFTu7c4zAzkqToakMaos1v2q7918P7SLfSYH905sCTS-nxp1gm8zdd9RI/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(5).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once built I then needed to take my level where I wanted the water to sit from the gap in the wall using a spirit level. This level was then transferred around the whole pond by hammering in short stakes that were all aligned to the same height using the long spirit level. By taking time to get the levels right now will ensure that the water will sit evenly in the pond with no liner showing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I am now just at the point where I have started to dig out the pond and as time goes on I will gradually shape it by digging deep channels and adding shelves for planting pots to sit on...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcEhEkl2-RNcXspsh9paEZUyOR3GfPwiEZge3i8faD6DqUeT36-EptcOJ8-OzImHRa9ntXK9BZ-RCN-3r2TQpBRabsbiTmg8Bk2McuVl8EWSJgK5fAVx_sydxZbREfO3_aE8nWbq_IRA/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcEhEkl2-RNcXspsh9paEZUyOR3GfPwiEZge3i8faD6DqUeT36-EptcOJ8-OzImHRa9ntXK9BZ-RCN-3r2TQpBRabsbiTmg8Bk2McuVl8EWSJgK5fAVx_sydxZbREfO3_aE8nWbq_IRA/s1600/Wildlife+Pond+(4).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that is about as far as I have got with the pond so far and as suggested above I will now dig it out and add internal features such as planting shelves and deeper areas where wildlife can safely overwinter. If you want to continue to see this project develop then keep watching this space as the weather forecast is good this week and I intend to get as much done as I can whilst it's dry!</div>
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With little else to report from a work point of view in the garden here is a little run down of a few recent visitors including some very early pollinators that have enjoyed my knew Spring planting for pollinators...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our native 7-spot Ladybird is a real success story for us and the garden is literally covered in them! It is now with a bit of sun that you find them just warming themselves up in all sorts of sunny spots...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_wLtdptcc0gq4kR88uNTOrfLhltYD2-7VHCFelPuGbimuaQFIvnFkYI7eJWAQ2z5S72cOUViNwx1kBg_qfk0NdwEuMGRm45AZi5kC3d5axXHyo23JNrVLqeyaSuhD9j5LMy1I8y3_NE/s1600/7-spot+Ladybird+-+Coccinella+7-Punctata.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_wLtdptcc0gq4kR88uNTOrfLhltYD2-7VHCFelPuGbimuaQFIvnFkYI7eJWAQ2z5S72cOUViNwx1kBg_qfk0NdwEuMGRm45AZi5kC3d5axXHyo23JNrVLqeyaSuhD9j5LMy1I8y3_NE/s1600/7-spot+Ladybird+-+Coccinella+7-Punctata.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's been a superb couple of weeks for early pollinators and this weekend has been especially good for butterflies like this Comma warming up in the sun...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWSxyBw0CJAY4k59CKXlvufqbt1BiWVRmPLFoWThen3mNqBGa6IT4ZoKUEsYTdeOaxC5har-9RtE55YDfCBQJY_FzH92Sprbdkorlyv4sdh_RufG_DrlDETFuMdNJp8qKHe5n38KiquY/s1600/Comma+-+polygonia+c-album.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWSxyBw0CJAY4k59CKXlvufqbt1BiWVRmPLFoWThen3mNqBGa6IT4ZoKUEsYTdeOaxC5har-9RtE55YDfCBQJY_FzH92Sprbdkorlyv4sdh_RufG_DrlDETFuMdNJp8qKHe5n38KiquY/s1600/Comma+-+polygonia+c-album.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>As in my last post on here the Bumblebees are increasing in number all the time and feed on a lot of the new Spring plants that I've planted for them. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87GkiDl-FW6K4dfojpwkMw2ghzUZ6NrI3p1yIPOxKF-4mPXL0xvTq-NkxQyB6kt_l_gvj__aVhoLTOCIHPM0KQw_b7nESdTW-Q4xBb5x_sCRheUtGkg5SH5aKKqLjUMMorAxXiC3Tgpw/s1600/Peacock+-+Inachis+io.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87GkiDl-FW6K4dfojpwkMw2ghzUZ6NrI3p1yIPOxKF-4mPXL0xvTq-NkxQyB6kt_l_gvj__aVhoLTOCIHPM0KQw_b7nESdTW-Q4xBb5x_sCRheUtGkg5SH5aKKqLjUMMorAxXiC3Tgpw/s1600/Peacock+-+Inachis+io.JPG" height="311" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Lesser Celandine has proved a must have plant for butterflies and this weekend it has been covered in Peacock (above) and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies (below) I can't believe that so many people pull this out as a weed! I find the shiny yellow flowers really cheery and the pollinators love them. They also find their own way into the garden so they are absolutely free, what's not to like!!?...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UPc_XIZJWsKIYwSh0YanDZ-_HELCj3mWild3wcnzPQJLrNzVjZWpNWTuDRESrNB_ObF8jlMdq0DgWzyUKUwMj839jcrkv6E2VtLNBBublWO36hlrSOX-GsJhl0mt0OsdcVz8t_mrN1o/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell+-+Aglais+urticae+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UPc_XIZJWsKIYwSh0YanDZ-_HELCj3mWild3wcnzPQJLrNzVjZWpNWTuDRESrNB_ObF8jlMdq0DgWzyUKUwMj839jcrkv6E2VtLNBBublWO36hlrSOX-GsJhl0mt0OsdcVz8t_mrN1o/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell+-+Aglais+urticae+(2).JPG" height="317" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Another early Small Tortoiseshell...</i></span></div>
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We have also had a good number of birds using the feeders in the garden when so many people are saying that they've had very few visiting their feeders this winter. Here are a couple of our current visitors...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmszVUtI5f_pq4New_z1Zgs66eOF34lkMLCzVEbKOZXxTqnrN0xQitY_m9bqDEjjsYcWyLVo7kIjg65v0yhlKZBF-xQmUZk5bpoYNdpnSKkgMEu_zkfcXnn1ZSDkCSXMO1XBvdS6RV5U/s1600/Blackcap+-+Sylvia+atricapilla+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmszVUtI5f_pq4New_z1Zgs66eOF34lkMLCzVEbKOZXxTqnrN0xQitY_m9bqDEjjsYcWyLVo7kIjg65v0yhlKZBF-xQmUZk5bpoYNdpnSKkgMEu_zkfcXnn1ZSDkCSXMO1XBvdS6RV5U/s1600/Blackcap+-+Sylvia+atricapilla+(3).JPG" height="320" width="315" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Blackcaps have become regular visitors to the feeders again recently and have put in appearances all throughout the winter with both female (above) and male (below) coming in...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOEbVxDlSAz9NEHJZiWj-aPFhQx4wEu6FcSQDs4287KJcpUZ442DwxmnmB9CtDNuAAtykmp8_Meb5DgEKbxwY8YHnoHe_yPIkS5FaK9D01Fr0qxZTXtZL7FLhZfhjtUo3KnQCE8m2KsQ/s1600/Blackcap+-+Sylvia+atricapilla+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOEbVxDlSAz9NEHJZiWj-aPFhQx4wEu6FcSQDs4287KJcpUZ442DwxmnmB9CtDNuAAtykmp8_Meb5DgEKbxwY8YHnoHe_yPIkS5FaK9D01Fr0qxZTXtZL7FLhZfhjtUo3KnQCE8m2KsQ/s1600/Blackcap+-+Sylvia+atricapilla+(4).JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>As the three pictures below show we have had a really got number of Long-tailed Tits in the garden and recently they have been collecting bedding materials. They are not taking this material very far so I'm hoping that they may decide to nest close by later in the Spring...</i></span></div>
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Well that's about it for another post, I do hope that you are finding my madcap gardening projects interesting still and will continue to follow my blog. </div>
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As always I'm always keen to hear your thoughts and opinions about the blog or a particular project that I am working on so please do continue to send me emails as I will reply to everyone and always enjoy interactions with like minded people.</div>
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If you are interested in the new wildlife pond or fancy having a go yourself do keep reading as I will be posting further updates as the project progresses.</div>
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Higgy</div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-70801792274353263502014-02-21T17:02:00.001-08:002014-03-01T11:09:55.011-08:00Wet weather doesn't stop garden plans!!Hello All,<br />
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Well what a dreadful winter it has been so far! This persistent wet weather has meant that any chance to get out in the garden, let alone do some work has been completely non existent! My problems of not being able to get into the garden do fade into insignificance when you see the news and stories and pictures of the terrible flooding on the Somerset Levels! Not being very far from the dreadful flooding, I'm ammazed of the difference here on the North Somerset Levels, despite being water logged we haven't suffered the flooding like they have there. I really just want to take this opportunity to ask everyone to spare a thought for the residents there, my heart certainly goes out to them and I hope that things sort themselves out faster than is being predicted at the moment!<br />
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So back to the garden and I don't have any work to report on except for some inside work planning my next project!<br />
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I touched on this in my last post explaining that I wanted to build a much larger wildlife pond within the wildlife / wildflower area of the garden and I shared my initial plans with you then. I'm happy to say that I have continued to keep the planning process going whilst unable to get outside and have a couple more of my rough sketched plans to show you here...<br />
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Firstly looking at my proposed site for the pond I need to consider drainage as the garden does get very wet and boggy. With this in mind I decided that whatever type of pond construction I use I would need a way to drain the excess water away from underneath it and have come up with the following idea...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Due to the boggy nature of the garden I will be installing a drainage system under the pond that will drain out into the dry river bed...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06rSvOk0UTm-aeHOsln-aY_l4skBOzNCGnBV5DQtxzxVFDWk1jEstLscS42_gxHJzXPF6_hblSlP1AgPxK9XuJdL4yVntvduZfTeOVeRKJ0qfbhG4JQlSwKWZA6VDiUqYVE967qUbm_I/s1600/pond+drainage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06rSvOk0UTm-aeHOsln-aY_l4skBOzNCGnBV5DQtxzxVFDWk1jEstLscS42_gxHJzXPF6_hblSlP1AgPxK9XuJdL4yVntvduZfTeOVeRKJ0qfbhG4JQlSwKWZA6VDiUqYVE967qUbm_I/s1600/pond+drainage.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
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As this drain will be draining into the dry river bed and due to it close proximity to the proposed pond this threw up a few other considerations. Firstly the dry river bed actually sits lower in the garden that the proposed pond site. If you have water in the garden and you want it to look as natural as possible you need to think about it's relationship with other features. In this case the water level sitting higher than the river bed, even dry, would look all wrong. This gave me a quandary and after much head scratching I have come up with the below idea...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>To make the pond sit naturally higher than the river bed would look wrong, so I have come up with the idea to build a 'false' dam consisting of an old stone wall with false sluice gate! This gives a logical reason for the difference in height as the water level will appear to be held back by the dam..</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkNYoyToC1jvxON-pjSVDu-a0mIE4ugM9Pg9JLgUTAUl0mRLhqVflEL1ZEoE6rXqK4D47qh1TF-0nV5DfWk-PT12W0BGzoHjG4XKE1FZgLaN71NScKyV6OP7euPmSyGu2USQCYPjn0ZU/s1600/Old+stone+wall+with+false+sluice+gate+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkNYoyToC1jvxON-pjSVDu-a0mIE4ugM9Pg9JLgUTAUl0mRLhqVflEL1ZEoE6rXqK4D47qh1TF-0nV5DfWk-PT12W0BGzoHjG4XKE1FZgLaN71NScKyV6OP7euPmSyGu2USQCYPjn0ZU/s1600/Old+stone+wall+with+false+sluice+gate+plan.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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So with the planning done and the weather still too wet the only progress I have managed to make is to source some 'free to collector' stones for the stone dam...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4MbcKEF0C9t-vcpTfquCUKYkPlFIcrLwLKPFwD7oNzNgBHaehnVS3NRdI0uN0-RCefELVTTL7RKsDx879FfGoCEE-Vp114zJzhVrFRXwWwUGUMnn-Aj_2H3gjLyF5zD5ShjV7v6PAIA/s1600/Rockery+Rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4MbcKEF0C9t-vcpTfquCUKYkPlFIcrLwLKPFwD7oNzNgBHaehnVS3NRdI0uN0-RCefELVTTL7RKsDx879FfGoCEE-Vp114zJzhVrFRXwWwUGUMnn-Aj_2H3gjLyF5zD5ShjV7v6PAIA/s1600/Rockery+Rocks.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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That really is all I have to report as far as garden projects have gone for the last couple of months! I did however manage to get outside and plant various shrubs, trees and plants for wildlife including...</div>
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Alder Buckthorn. Guelder Rose and Wild Cherry in the native wildlife hedge. I also planted a Rowen tree that will provide berries for the birds and an Apple Tree that will provide lovely Spring blossom for pollinators but hopefully a nice crop of fruit for us also!! </div>
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Flower wise I have planted several different varieties of Pulmonarias to give nectar for early Spring pollinators and Bees.</div>
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Talking of Bees I had a lovely large queen Bumblebee in the garden last weekend and she was taking full advantage of the pollen that we are now trying to provide for early foragers....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Bumblebee - Bombus Terrestris on Winter Honeysuckle Plant (Lonicera fragrantissima)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4Sj3gikqpAm3xHZE3yYp81nh4AdrvcMHPtyPzfBsbF3zyA-XSnu_uFb4SDOwE45AxfiQGBAXk-FAAaKAWNvC4udIkzQvVuRqFuhWVSRyz0b4eC1TucWiO94yym8ShftYau-Xa0qgI0Q/s1600/Bombus+Terrestris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4Sj3gikqpAm3xHZE3yYp81nh4AdrvcMHPtyPzfBsbF3zyA-XSnu_uFb4SDOwE45AxfiQGBAXk-FAAaKAWNvC4udIkzQvVuRqFuhWVSRyz0b4eC1TucWiO94yym8ShftYau-Xa0qgI0Q/s1600/Bombus+Terrestris.JPG" height="320" width="299" /></a></div>
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Following on from this success here are a few of the plants that I have planted exclusively for early Spring pollinators and which are proving very worthwhile additions to the Spring wildlife garden.....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Crocus chry Snow Bunting</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl6AIVK7WDpRIH0fbhY1vXOj4c3RpEfR_nPcOq0-UDXxMvsF7eiYcJX0bdyzZk2Ag34XrlSNa9qUGe1T0pCFQg-33BoPGAQOwOe4xQg-uM9fngLdgX_MZpWCNsXMgV91tV4Nh30HjQyc/s1600/Crocus+chry+Cream+Beauty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl6AIVK7WDpRIH0fbhY1vXOj4c3RpEfR_nPcOq0-UDXxMvsF7eiYcJX0bdyzZk2Ag34XrlSNa9qUGe1T0pCFQg-33BoPGAQOwOe4xQg-uM9fngLdgX_MZpWCNsXMgV91tV4Nh30HjQyc/s1600/Crocus+chry+Cream+Beauty.JPG" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Bergenia 'Elephant Ears Purperea'</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jAUqtu0fprBt0QOXPeS8uSsKyLPVKaz0NobhU3NHCWLCeYzB9ULor7tnm30pWzbOyYm5lbtnBrBTEfRVdg8lmPNShMO5t1k8p-yojnYc4w1SUcLSFfO8A8Vi3zi-hP9z7AsY0ZxCN6g/s1600/Bergenia+%27Elephant+Ears+Purperea%27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jAUqtu0fprBt0QOXPeS8uSsKyLPVKaz0NobhU3NHCWLCeYzB9ULor7tnm30pWzbOyYm5lbtnBrBTEfRVdg8lmPNShMO5t1k8p-yojnYc4w1SUcLSFfO8A8Vi3zi-hP9z7AsY0ZxCN6g/s1600/Bergenia+'Elephant+Ears+Purperea'.JPG" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Crocus Gypsy Girl</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPqUCF1v5Bnx6vBrH_RbKztgnwsxod7b9nTA6-5Z-3NqD6JpltUl046DcExDm2gUByyxcGqNRj4nNhbmrCDy7kSmRFf5GfDj8jHApY7Uv7yEHg2pgXJKM7M9XOlg8bIg3950Pnj2YfUE/s1600/Crocus+Gypsy+Girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPqUCF1v5Bnx6vBrH_RbKztgnwsxod7b9nTA6-5Z-3NqD6JpltUl046DcExDm2gUByyxcGqNRj4nNhbmrCDy7kSmRFf5GfDj8jHApY7Uv7yEHg2pgXJKM7M9XOlg8bIg3950Pnj2YfUE/s1600/Crocus+Gypsy+Girl.JPG" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Ceanothus</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wSVold6caY4qFPXPouec8XN3J6w1nUCxLqnRvvFbi4V8TD4kl0suYTmVG0oXuUI37ffPABo-Inr9r8QkKyUXMTcp0l5qP_7GpIggwybNrNQA2BIn_kJ7Sdd7_6-blZiQ04hCdIlqMUw/s1600/Ceanothus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wSVold6caY4qFPXPouec8XN3J6w1nUCxLqnRvvFbi4V8TD4kl0suYTmVG0oXuUI37ffPABo-Inr9r8QkKyUXMTcp0l5qP_7GpIggwybNrNQA2BIn_kJ7Sdd7_6-blZiQ04hCdIlqMUw/s1600/Ceanothus.JPG" height="308" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Borage - Borago officinalis</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfQwMYkrzrPWBK71xO9fL9TbRjDNBjzksJrVx0xrPbEyq44f44ctmV2RX9D9CS8kHXQjij0OFX9UaJQzhkG4YU1JGjgMT4GCe2jJ2PwY2E5lPJANLSToLQUT57W0kGll2-diIwtzgkyk/s1600/Borage+-+Borago+officinalis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfQwMYkrzrPWBK71xO9fL9TbRjDNBjzksJrVx0xrPbEyq44f44ctmV2RX9D9CS8kHXQjij0OFX9UaJQzhkG4YU1JGjgMT4GCe2jJ2PwY2E5lPJANLSToLQUT57W0kGll2-diIwtzgkyk/s1600/Borage+-+Borago+officinalis.JPG" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Hellebore</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaYh63oDCDe9jDsNHoGOY5R1cuI_ZAdH0kD-DUbd5i_TfoH5S-4RQrtZkwiXkd7js6GKKwH1SKFaRzn03WAuDIiqgHGWGAysx1tTfI4TGd5lmFxH0Eg2cwjlP7mlvutdhFfS2Nx9RDCI/s1600/Hellebore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaYh63oDCDe9jDsNHoGOY5R1cuI_ZAdH0kD-DUbd5i_TfoH5S-4RQrtZkwiXkd7js6GKKwH1SKFaRzn03WAuDIiqgHGWGAysx1tTfI4TGd5lmFxH0Eg2cwjlP7mlvutdhFfS2Nx9RDCI/s1600/Hellebore.JPG" height="282" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Winter Honeysuckle Plant - Lonicera fragrantissima</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4aZddOyll7xdbGa2q3W9uhvCcMqetwg-DqwPVJLxYhpMAdzDgF0iGWpusyZmGCj_B37GiR3qTr-HhWRZspIPhC2vwTmltrT7-V3-6U8VUMJ8gNMps9GBzzN9KjizH8FToga4SHq3ylM/s1600/Winter+Honeysuckle+Plant+-+Lonicera+fragrantissima.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4aZddOyll7xdbGa2q3W9uhvCcMqetwg-DqwPVJLxYhpMAdzDgF0iGWpusyZmGCj_B37GiR3qTr-HhWRZspIPhC2vwTmltrT7-V3-6U8VUMJ8gNMps9GBzzN9KjizH8FToga4SHq3ylM/s1600/Winter+Honeysuckle+Plant+-+Lonicera+fragrantissima.JPG" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Snowdrop - Gilanthus nivalis</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0Q1mlWuwWR1w1Oj0mZshrRnvHnBHHd0fJhJh30hmm2kS57fFBkk9r9En6FXHyFqrG8IQJ9YPuXNVKc5Bf0_b2QiCc0Mb31L8acmYaRrDC6H4guXjFEaWh6CUISrnGDVG2KZ8bLjsDoQ/s1600/Snowdrop+-+Gilanthus+nivalis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0Q1mlWuwWR1w1Oj0mZshrRnvHnBHHd0fJhJh30hmm2kS57fFBkk9r9En6FXHyFqrG8IQJ9YPuXNVKc5Bf0_b2QiCc0Mb31L8acmYaRrDC6H4guXjFEaWh6CUISrnGDVG2KZ8bLjsDoQ/s1600/Snowdrop+-+Gilanthus+nivalis.JPG" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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I think that gives you a good idea for a few plants that you can grow to provide that vital nectar supply that is a lifeline to early pollinators at this time of the year.</div>
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Finally lets have a quick catch up of what's visiting the garden at the moment....</div>
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Well again this is quite quiet as there is still heaps of natural food around in the fields and hedgerows and of course we haven't yet had a really cold spell meaning that the birds aren't so reliant of garden feeders.</div>
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Despite this the feeders have remained in use and here are a few things that have visited recently...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqMkX_y1lmGqW-eFbEVR1TZckt6q29puT-j3ebTBC5Lh2jKxyIxwnNF24UTiU9v5fKGcgQGIdPVd5bNH-jTEbxkjmNEAqdamgYlbnlzg4ppbnPUpsVYXNE5_xAkv-BSfP5_0zB7OnFx4/s1600/Magpie+-+Pica+pica.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqMkX_y1lmGqW-eFbEVR1TZckt6q29puT-j3ebTBC5Lh2jKxyIxwnNF24UTiU9v5fKGcgQGIdPVd5bNH-jTEbxkjmNEAqdamgYlbnlzg4ppbnPUpsVYXNE5_xAkv-BSfP5_0zB7OnFx4/s1600/Magpie+-+Pica+pica.JPG" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>We have had quite an influx of Magpie recently and they have taken a fond liking to the dried mealworm that we feed at this time of year....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Not everything shows such a warm welcome to the Magpie, often thought of as a pest by some...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-0ohBbN0DexFVhyd5chJhKoDEZlbAC64gM22p7RH1h_b1b3Qt4NCeb2aZfy3oe3_So0coggilx6yaTzUOquSyAceOqg10dAB69wFhhDbv226qSN1gSY0N1mWbpTX36SkDEjnLwNjybY/s1600/Magpie+-+Pica+pica+&+Wood+Pigeon+-+Columbia+livia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-0ohBbN0DexFVhyd5chJhKoDEZlbAC64gM22p7RH1h_b1b3Qt4NCeb2aZfy3oe3_So0coggilx6yaTzUOquSyAceOqg10dAB69wFhhDbv226qSN1gSY0N1mWbpTX36SkDEjnLwNjybY/s1600/Magpie+-+Pica+pica+&+Wood+Pigeon+-+Columbia+livia.JPG" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Reed Buntings have once again remained good value and are on the feeders or bird table for most of the day at this time of year...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have had three separate sightings of ladybirds in the garden this month, showing a real sign that Spring isn't too far away...</i></span></div>
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Well I think that is about it for this post, not a lot to report but signs that Spring is coming and it can only get better from here on in! I have actually now also managed to secure more rocks, three bags of cement and a dumpy bag full of sand for free so can start my wildlife pond project as soon as the weather allows me to!</div>
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A quick edit having written this post last night, I couldn't resist but bring you a picture of a handsome visitor to the garden this morning. It's not that visits from Sparrowhawks are uncommon in fact quite the opposite with several visits in a day sometimes! However this handsome male stopped and actually posed on the shed roof long enough for me to get the camera and take several shots of him!</div>
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Although this bird will potentially kill and eat my beloved Reed Buntings it is the balance of nature and everything fits into the food chain at some point. The way I look at it is that by having such wide diversity in the garden from all areas of the food chain is demonstrating just how well 'gardening for wildlife' working! </div>
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I will sign off for now and as always give my tanks for following and reading my blog, I do hope that you are all still enjoying it. Hopefully the next time that I log on I will have lots more to tell you about the construction phase of my new projetc and of course more wildlife and plantings for wildlife!</div>
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So bye for now and I'll see you all next time!</div>
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Higgy</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-18835663499556478722013-12-31T11:44:00.003-08:002013-12-31T11:44:35.847-08:002013 Successes, a BBC Appearance & Plans for my Wildlife Gardening in 2014..... Hello All,<br />
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Firstly a quick note to say a big thank you to all my followers public and private on both of my blogs and of course Twitter where we are starting to build a little momentum at last. A particular thank you goes out to those of you who have sent in comments and questions it is this interaction that I particularly enjoy! I do hope that you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to wildlife gardening in 2014!?<br />
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2013 really has been a pivotal year in Higgy's Garden Project with many new species of invertebrate discovered and recorded and a few changes made along the way. Probably the biggest highlight for me personally was the approach by the BBC that resulted in my appearance on BBC Springwatch and the chance to chat about butterflies and moths to millions of viewers which was a complete thrill.<br />
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I think my thought for this post is to show some of my 2013 highlights and of course unveil the plans for a big project for 2014, which I hope should be of interest to everyone.<br />
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As you will all be aware 2013 started off cold and wet and the late Spring seen very little happening in the garden except some mild panicking that we may not have anything for the BBC to film when they arrived in June! The cold Spring meant that we had very few wild flower plugs big enough to plant out and the area looked a bit barren! In a desperate plea to get the wild flower area looking good for filming I ordered in some plugs but they failed to turn up in time!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The garden spent a good time underwater in early 2013 which really didn't bode too well with filming!!.... Below is our DRY gravel river bed with the bridge completely submerged!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDlQYUtae3ZCeyxvGcexaIBA0ZQ5uHDmo6_CHYaCLhZbxWR0MXXqAKdOcWIzK58MwZoW1s3gHxMRR-JzDYJoxQHiBARhZQPQgn5a9RVe8YOMyBHJ7NUggGQwQQErlC74ZsL53L6TZ37Y/s1600/Dry+gravel+River+Flooded...JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDlQYUtae3ZCeyxvGcexaIBA0ZQ5uHDmo6_CHYaCLhZbxWR0MXXqAKdOcWIzK58MwZoW1s3gHxMRR-JzDYJoxQHiBARhZQPQgn5a9RVe8YOMyBHJ7NUggGQwQQErlC74ZsL53L6TZ37Y/s1600/Dry+gravel+River+Flooded...JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Luckily the wild flower area came right of the day of filming and despite less wildflowers than previous years it demonstrated what can be achieved by panicking and a lot of hard work!!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99CvRZ7S293UyKT7nrGwJGb-R_m8a03Bqu9bs9ixYbc680RagYuILYLtlleYwoEbD05rh1GEAUZNAcCGf_F8vqMctLXDXCmm-_GrPC8AyrkM0zZ_MXYM8_pV_m6HKPnRV37juHV5cexA/s1600/Wild+flower+planting+for+wildlife.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99CvRZ7S293UyKT7nrGwJGb-R_m8a03Bqu9bs9ixYbc680RagYuILYLtlleYwoEbD05rh1GEAUZNAcCGf_F8vqMctLXDXCmm-_GrPC8AyrkM0zZ_MXYM8_pV_m6HKPnRV37juHV5cexA/s1600/Wild+flower+planting+for+wildlife.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The old stone bridge and gravel river bed turned up trumps and is naturalising nicely turning into a haven for all sorts of insects and wildlife.... I think that the drenching it got in Spring actually helped it this year and as can be seen below it's now wild and alive with wildlife.....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH9FixSMQsBTwT9ZPNKn8WjzP7sFDnrwe0uQg193-0rf7tSVFrPHXjYR79zzDt3MkzUONyqBVR1ya4P2MUQuaOz90OTASf60g4kT2geVXrxd1CREii6FYCTCij7DgpgdJxvf7xVuU7XE/s1600/Dry+river+bed+&+Bridge+feature+for+wildlife.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH9FixSMQsBTwT9ZPNKn8WjzP7sFDnrwe0uQg193-0rf7tSVFrPHXjYR79zzDt3MkzUONyqBVR1ya4P2MUQuaOz90OTASf60g4kT2geVXrxd1CREii6FYCTCij7DgpgdJxvf7xVuU7XE/s1600/Dry+river+bed+&+Bridge+feature+for+wildlife.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Small mammals such as Wood Mice and Voles are clearly using the garden and a hunting Kestrel seen hovering over the wild flower area this year demonstrates the diversity in the garden now...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgaV8IXGvIE1iRmUW_0LvCkSBUWdKFismjZqS_pL6OE-7bbqOFwaSsTiebRz13hHmFcliD2w-QhDWzc9e9BdViW3FzztEn6eAoVt-Ukzd4E_8DiRLfw_v9oSHwgy5MJiIMOU2qeO0Jgs/s1600/Small+Mammal+Burrow+in+Rough+Grass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgaV8IXGvIE1iRmUW_0LvCkSBUWdKFismjZqS_pL6OE-7bbqOFwaSsTiebRz13hHmFcliD2w-QhDWzc9e9BdViW3FzztEn6eAoVt-Ukzd4E_8DiRLfw_v9oSHwgy5MJiIMOU2qeO0Jgs/s1600/Small+Mammal+Burrow+in+Rough+Grass.JPG" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
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So with the weather clearing a bit into summer we experienced a complete heat wave which again brings it's own challenges with he heavy clay here drying out and cracking...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>From one extreme to another.... wet Spring floods were followed by a summer heatwave in 2013!..</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoawmkiNuGmKeDiHxhdvjg_n8T-LkfBsTd9yYK1lh1keIkENDD7Ru8nSxYhjZ6Nsoxu7RwpKoeFEnGspKn_5dJH3C_eZ1gbkC2AjE1goTZO6lVv4O1Fsl141hKliuZuaW93nYTxGoOuH0/s1600/heavy+clay+lawn+cracking+in+summer+heat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoawmkiNuGmKeDiHxhdvjg_n8T-LkfBsTd9yYK1lh1keIkENDD7Ru8nSxYhjZ6Nsoxu7RwpKoeFEnGspKn_5dJH3C_eZ1gbkC2AjE1goTZO6lVv4O1Fsl141hKliuZuaW93nYTxGoOuH0/s1600/heavy+clay+lawn+cracking+in+summer+heat.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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The wildlife didn't seem to mind the extremes of temperature and continued to arrive in the garden in good numbers that sometimes made recording it all quite difficult. The planting has also seemed to have settled in to this environment coping with extremes very well and to be honest I didn't do a massive amount of maintenance throughout the year which is the beauty of wildlife gardening.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Despite the variable weather conditions the garden fared well with a good display of colour in the wild flower area and the pollinating beds as you can see below...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXlfS1xE5xKCp8vEe_Iwt9RIEaXN1BUOl6nZ-G-CAwBj0AN3mFmsEt0RmzBetliwpbkjiw_2RtLT808ffL1a7yOtm-XN52yBAJeL1noeY8G6EuqhOmE-DELpSJzCus9o8Fx5X40Y7sYA/s1600/Pollinator+planting+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXlfS1xE5xKCp8vEe_Iwt9RIEaXN1BUOl6nZ-G-CAwBj0AN3mFmsEt0RmzBetliwpbkjiw_2RtLT808ffL1a7yOtm-XN52yBAJeL1noeY8G6EuqhOmE-DELpSJzCus9o8Fx5X40Y7sYA/s1600/Pollinator+planting+(9).JPG" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
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The benefit of a well balanced and surprisingly lush garden in a hot summer was clearly demonstrated by the number of new species of invertebrates that we recorded. I'm going to show a small sample of some new species to the garden below...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Bee Beetle (Clytus arietis)</i></span><i style="color: blue;"> was a first and arrived during filming of the BBC Springwatch program so couldn't have timed it's arrival any better!...</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE_uyYWj22cI6OG8IzjdKz9Mt4-jltwvJuH69OEXCs87GagrcV4B8V-6Vtijh59hKIJ0RPfn5eW1dFDv5YCV9OGPEE9qTYzxmLGtbiz8QhKLU4LnuuBQ0BVG4b7qEDlcJgcOu6YhHYbQ/s1600/Wasp+Beetle+-+Clytus+arietis+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE_uyYWj22cI6OG8IzjdKz9Mt4-jltwvJuH69OEXCs87GagrcV4B8V-6Vtijh59hKIJ0RPfn5eW1dFDv5YCV9OGPEE9qTYzxmLGtbiz8QhKLU4LnuuBQ0BVG4b7qEDlcJgcOu6YhHYbQ/s1600/Wasp+Beetle+-+Clytus+arietis+(2).JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I recorded several new species of flower & leaf beetle during the year including this pretty little Deraeocoris ruber....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi6YHCXLiAKpSFs1dI2Up84-XYgqceD3beStnvqHRLwtEYimGAfA3SL2Q_zwQuAXKCsaoJssH_BICCXkvT4xl2l50UQlkoJah_C4zVp30KExJklnxk5zYbZOLN6qxyP-Rq7TIuQ7I6i4/s1600/Deraeocoris+ruber.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi6YHCXLiAKpSFs1dI2Up84-XYgqceD3beStnvqHRLwtEYimGAfA3SL2Q_zwQuAXKCsaoJssH_BICCXkvT4xl2l50UQlkoJah_C4zVp30KExJklnxk5zYbZOLN6qxyP-Rq7TIuQ7I6i4/s1600/Deraeocoris+ruber.JPG" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Shield</i></span><i><span style="color: blue;"> Bugs showed well with new species including really good numbers of </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>Forest Bug - Pentatoma rufipes. Not every gardeners delight but more than welcome in the wildlife garden and of course a vital part of the food chain...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-8abYoGpE0U5owtaXpvrg9iYaaFqXkVVaaHoZ5pK6TCxGMeo8m54hLU7Mha67mjy7n_BcHX5e5llFNxFJtmzqXjOMGoDr9gvz-RDwg6bs5iM3VND1jPNlscZuVFXTAFXcx1kI3u8cTI/s1600/Forest+Bug+-+Pentatoma+rufipes+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-8abYoGpE0U5owtaXpvrg9iYaaFqXkVVaaHoZ5pK6TCxGMeo8m54hLU7Mha67mjy7n_BcHX5e5llFNxFJtmzqXjOMGoDr9gvz-RDwg6bs5iM3VND1jPNlscZuVFXTAFXcx1kI3u8cTI/s1600/Forest+Bug+-+Pentatoma+rufipes+(4).JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The garden butterfly count went up to 20 species with the arrival of the Small Skipper and Marbled White as shown below....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYqexD5h_7_NfP5HxHI5DsPnGM1Ka8C3VqgnpDG8Pr8fBzEaxI26P_-qga1F1pmKIhiam73xCTU2aKJAMOQGcFPfjwBGlx6oWV4HaSff8q8N3th3PMsQi-ZfBj5r8sheKW2E8kN93Iok/s1600/Marbled+White+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYqexD5h_7_NfP5HxHI5DsPnGM1Ka8C3VqgnpDG8Pr8fBzEaxI26P_-qga1F1pmKIhiam73xCTU2aKJAMOQGcFPfjwBGlx6oWV4HaSff8q8N3th3PMsQi-ZfBj5r8sheKW2E8kN93Iok/s1600/Marbled+White+(4).JPG" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
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Above is only a small selection of the many new species that we recorded but hopefully demonstrates the benefits of gardening for wildlife and the success that we are now experiencing here.</div>
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The other thing that is worth a mention is the very successful moth trapping sessions that we started this summer. These included a large trapping session attended by some of the local wildlife group who all enjoyed not only a great time identifying moths but a cream tea made by my wife! </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Moth trapping in the garden was new for 2013 and proved extremely successful with well over 100 species recorded this summer! Including this impressive Swallow-Tailed Moth - Ourapteryx sambucaria...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwUNaF7s51vilE0bh-9cUk1bS1We-bOzHGNzxa0vfNgyYuDSvd-2fd9kN1Q8wIG8HSE9K9eUNIliMcEDIXNGwHDEdvf8b2J__nAtK9Ig9IT0VK3uq2DfKJR0WiQSZZmCxEavlQYubjP0/s1600/Swallow-Tailed+Moth+-+Ourapteryx+sambucaria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwUNaF7s51vilE0bh-9cUk1bS1We-bOzHGNzxa0vfNgyYuDSvd-2fd9kN1Q8wIG8HSE9K9eUNIliMcEDIXNGwHDEdvf8b2J__nAtK9Ig9IT0VK3uq2DfKJR0WiQSZZmCxEavlQYubjP0/s1600/Swallow-Tailed+Moth+-+Ourapteryx+sambucaria.JPG" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A personal favorite for me was definitely two recordings of the gorgeous Hummingbird Hawk Moth - Macroglossum stellatarum. This is a species I have only dreamed of seeing in the garden until now!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC0q_VxcEODDGdaeWSElkR-Gm45NU0_J4n333Tt3FNZNPRHutPPRjg8AW9Iu9_LPex4lbx-p9FMvehzHSgs0RhTq7fJuTpTIhvtifruHJY_qR07jO_dXBs1vz-J6nGx9s-yXYpU6PYF8/s1600/Hummingbird+Hawk+Moth+-+Macroglossum+stellatarum+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC0q_VxcEODDGdaeWSElkR-Gm45NU0_J4n333Tt3FNZNPRHutPPRjg8AW9Iu9_LPex4lbx-p9FMvehzHSgs0RhTq7fJuTpTIhvtifruHJY_qR07jO_dXBs1vz-J6nGx9s-yXYpU6PYF8/s1600/Hummingbird+Hawk+Moth+-+Macroglossum+stellatarum+(2).JPG" height="320" width="298" /></a></div>
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I really haven't got room to show every species new this year but I hope the above has at least demonstrated some of the new comers and given you a feel for what we have achieved in 2013 and of course what you could achieve in your own garden.</div>
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So with 2013 now at an end we must look forward to 2014 and planning what changes are required to encourage even more wildlife into the garden in the coming year.</div>
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I have thought about a lot of things that could be changed but one thing that I keep coming back to is a decent sized wildlife pond with a much bigger body of water. We already have three small ponds and it is often said that several smaller bodies of water are better than one large pond in the wildlife garden! Well I'm taking this one stage further by adding a bigger body of water to my other smaller ponds to try and encourage more and different dragon and damselflies into the garden over the next few years.</div>
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It has been a bit a head scratching as to where I could accommodate a bigger pond but with some careful planning I will be putting it alongside the wild flower area. This will mean this area reducing in size somewhat although by careful moving of plants and resowing elsewhere in the garden I think that we can keep the same area of wild flowers if not increase it slightly by spreading it out in different areas of the garden. This is a bit of a trade off but I think that in the long-term it will be well worth it.</div>
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So you will have to keep reading the blog to see how this develops but in the mean time I can offer a little taster with a very rough sketch of what I hope it will look like once complete...</div>
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I apologise for the look of this sketch I promise my 6yr old daughter didn't do it ! LOL Hopefully it gives a guide of what mad idea is currently in my head and what is planned for 2014...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>My thoughts put down on paper for how I want the new wildlife pond feature to look and how I hope it fits seamlessly into the rest of the garden....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6ZEOL6DA3SCWV0hLo7MZUFPh4rms16IjPEBghdmdB4ufDaT6RKKWwgtE8CpuZvlU5r0QNWLMYRjSn5nRlIpbzUeKUYaYqvCvByuvk0dVHePVdSTyqVYJYZ7RDv0pA-Jb8krepia9UkM/s1600/Pond+plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6ZEOL6DA3SCWV0hLo7MZUFPh4rms16IjPEBghdmdB4ufDaT6RKKWwgtE8CpuZvlU5r0QNWLMYRjSn5nRlIpbzUeKUYaYqvCvByuvk0dVHePVdSTyqVYJYZ7RDv0pA-Jb8krepia9UkM/s1600/Pond+plans.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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My thoughts for this pond feature is that it will be dug down into the ground and my wild flower planting will run right up to the edge of it to help it sit naturally into the site. Already in the wild flower area is an amount of Cuckoo Flower and Ragged Robin that will love the dampness this feature should provide and help to blur the border between land and water! Other planting will include Irises for dragon fly nymphs to climb up and hatch out on, whilst the flowers of many are loved by bumble bees. I also have a large amount of Purple Loosetrife cuttings that will add height, colour and structure at the rear of the pond and into the pollinator planting bed. </div>
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Landscaping wise I plan to build a false stone retaining wall at the side of the dry gravel river bed. This will be complete with an old rusty water sluice to give it a connection to the dry river bed and help it sit more naturally in the garden.</div>
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That's the plan for 2014 and a look back at a successful year in the wildlife garden so I bid you a happy New Year and lots of wildlife watching and gardening for 2014!!</div>
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Best wishes</div>
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Higgy </div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-52278427491853825982013-11-16T18:22:00.000-08:002013-11-16T18:22:49.847-08:00SpringWatch Comment tempts a new shed for building a Hedgehog House in!!..<b><i>"WELL, YOU DON'T GET A GARDEN LIKE THIS BY HAVING A TIDY SHED MARTIN!!"</i></b><br />
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My now famous quote on BBC Springwatch has brought me a lot of stick since it was aired in front of a few million viewers!! Even this week someone recognised me and quoted my now famous statement!! LOL<br />
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All this talk of my untidy shed has got me thinking and I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that I need a new shed to store my 'junk' in but would also like it to double as a 'hide' for watching and photographing the birds and wildlife that visit the garden.<br />
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The dilemma that I now find myself in is, do I get some reclaimed / recycled materials and build a 'shed' as I normally would or is this a step too far? As I'm wanting to actually spend time in the shed as well as using it for storage maybe buying a brand new 'fit for purpose' shed like the ones featured here... <a href="http://www.shedsandthings.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">http://www.shedsandthings.co.</span></span><wbr></wbr><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">uk/</span></span> </a> would be a safer option? I have had a flick through the sheds on this site and there are quite a few sizes and designs to choose from. I will also have to decide where the windows need to be how many windows I want, if photographing birds then I will want plenty of light etc, Oh decisions decisions!... <br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The old shed was inherited with the house and even before we relocated it the roof was loose and it was home to a family of mice... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXFlPZOdV1JfmdymRBANX2g5XoQqKJWT9G9dLbxZECWJV71NFph2g_rO69Em5qosL8SbhZsvZE4ioDYhTXJz94EQoT1hbwlqQf5FnyHFsdW3mW1kb2XCZ02fjopi-d_9zvHthkFz7ul4/s1600/May+2010+005+(6)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXFlPZOdV1JfmdymRBANX2g5XoQqKJWT9G9dLbxZECWJV71NFph2g_rO69Em5qosL8SbhZsvZE4ioDYhTXJz94EQoT1hbwlqQf5FnyHFsdW3mW1kb2XCZ02fjopi-d_9zvHthkFz7ul4/s1600/May+2010+005+(6)+-+Copy.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>With the roof coming off during it's move and despite the lick of paint the old shed has just about had it's day....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFcj6oVw17ta4MMdaPu1fMi7P-kpmunJNQN0nONCD7yxYGdTzxJQ398xd-iQlk8__nYCWrNrge0hHalSMZDIXLcCs8C-vkMop533ad2zOeWNMoikr_cTD3gSdY0ZyJG0_62WBYaUVGFY/s1600/DSC_0080+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFcj6oVw17ta4MMdaPu1fMi7P-kpmunJNQN0nONCD7yxYGdTzxJQ398xd-iQlk8__nYCWrNrge0hHalSMZDIXLcCs8C-vkMop533ad2zOeWNMoikr_cTD3gSdY0ZyJG0_62WBYaUVGFY/s1600/DSC_0080+-+Copy.JPG" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here's the new workshop when we first installed it and I'm thinking my new shed/hide which will sit beside it should look more like this with double windows to let in more light and offer good views of the bird feeders... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9F-BL14ksMrcwEmrl1xL7BDVgZykjqUMDsm19rzAD-I-vp-AUAYDLThhqPHvQsNgFkqGeNLygMfVYg2sF6cPT_kgf7qqU2wA_W7yJeLm8vF027BqH6ERA68Jmb-DHhPCiUtp82I_vAI/s1600/May+2010+010+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9F-BL14ksMrcwEmrl1xL7BDVgZykjqUMDsm19rzAD-I-vp-AUAYDLThhqPHvQsNgFkqGeNLygMfVYg2sF6cPT_kgf7qqU2wA_W7yJeLm8vF027BqH6ERA68Jmb-DHhPCiUtp82I_vAI/s1600/May+2010+010+(2).JPG" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that's my current dilemma and of course yet another plan to take forward to next Spring when I hope the weather will be more suitable for this kind of job.<br />
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Whilst it's great to think about a new home for my junk and somewhere warm and comfortable for me to sit and photograph the birds, we must continue to remember the difficulties that our wildlife has over winter and what we can ALL do to help it out.<br />
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Last week I wrote about what you can do to ensure that your garden ponds overwinter successfully and so that all the wildlife within the pond stay safe through the winter months and potential freeze. Well this week I intend to show you how to make a simple hedgehog house that will give a needy hedgehog a warm and cosy home for the winter. As usual I intend to do this using pictures with and explanation of the construction above and so that you can follow along and build one yourself...<br />
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Firstly you will need to find some wood and cut it to the following sizes that I have shown on my plan here...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here are my plans for building a hedgehog house of your own. The sizes are a guide but offer a good sized house for a hog....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydoL8QEoUx7XqsutsA4sZO1E6Xeoi4PEUn-zfY7_MEoRxgyuGOd0ZkgJWATU4outqRJ6pVJbDwjivBpmf2iS6wXuRF4fYpAizCHLM7htKge3F8Uz9WiTzwdBWVKlbUh4ugm7hrX5yDY4/s1600/Higgy's+Hog+House+Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydoL8QEoUx7XqsutsA4sZO1E6Xeoi4PEUn-zfY7_MEoRxgyuGOd0ZkgJWATU4outqRJ6pVJbDwjivBpmf2iS6wXuRF4fYpAizCHLM7htKge3F8Uz9WiTzwdBWVKlbUh4ugm7hrX5yDY4/s1600/Higgy's+Hog+House+Plans.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>When choosing your wood it's fine to use scrap pieces to make up the bigger pieces like the roof. The only consideration when using separate pieces is to ensure each piece is secured together or screwed down to the sides (although don't do this until you have sited the box!). The house in the picture below uses three pieces of timber for it's roof, as the house will be buried this will cause no problem. I prefer to use wood that is 3/4" - 1" thick. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPXJHJs4smyUqT6GNL7K1ixfS5mdg-VM3ODtggdBPrrjBW4OUKwWL78MWvYxiDRdb1aTyEcqGjGvSrbwvE-KUZdQUAErsD0mTZKe4NFbCUkRdytAoc-Z1XlOfXWUQWm8WQuPjLO8u6Ws/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPXJHJs4smyUqT6GNL7K1ixfS5mdg-VM3ODtggdBPrrjBW4OUKwWL78MWvYxiDRdb1aTyEcqGjGvSrbwvE-KUZdQUAErsD0mTZKe4NFbCUkRdytAoc-Z1XlOfXWUQWm8WQuPjLO8u6Ws/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once you've completed building it a suitable site needs to be found to place the house. I chose an area right in front of a hedge and next to tree roots. The reason for this is that we have a dog and the neighbours have a cat that are both interested in hedgehogs! By having the entrance in the hedge between the gardens prevents these and other predators from getting into the box. By siting it here among the entanglement of roots and trunks of the shrubs also negated the requirement for a tunnel in this instance. However if you don't have this natural defense at your chosen site I fully recommend using a tunnel to prevent cats from attacking the entrance. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAIxWN-ltu1jd08QxkOO8fIwS_0eN5Ou8PWoSFTDv8kQb3orlGRb0QbuhBQKkqmRAsg3OjkVbFfbH_Gb3r-dKUHJwhUcnv0OQsTzhyphenhyphenwKGBSlPRS_srVhd08gfWRvrciI0K1ZnwTdkMvQ/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAIxWN-ltu1jd08QxkOO8fIwS_0eN5Ou8PWoSFTDv8kQb3orlGRb0QbuhBQKkqmRAsg3OjkVbFfbH_Gb3r-dKUHJwhUcnv0OQsTzhyphenhyphenwKGBSlPRS_srVhd08gfWRvrciI0K1ZnwTdkMvQ/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" height="271" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once the site is chosen a hole is dug big enough for the house to be located below ground level. Once excavated place the house into the hole and put in some bedding such as old woodshavings and leaves. This is the reason why the roof isn't screwed into place until this is complete...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuo8HW0L6AJsY2exv0ya4V-ZaHA5DVRsWp-SIVauNgu0Ezyx8_OGVJku3W_pkD9L3x3LercNXRTSJ8rqyd1cd17xUgxEohUdmd-JkaR9KuSz1r0kIHP1FDAkd6BWV5H2MDfJJad_wQvvY/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuo8HW0L6AJsY2exv0ya4V-ZaHA5DVRsWp-SIVauNgu0Ezyx8_OGVJku3W_pkD9L3x3LercNXRTSJ8rqyd1cd17xUgxEohUdmd-JkaR9KuSz1r0kIHP1FDAkd6BWV5H2MDfJJad_wQvvY/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Screw the roof into place and ensure that you have the ventilation pipe in place so that air can circulate inside the house. In this particular example I drilled the hole and fitted the vent pipe after the house was sited as I wanted it to vent into the hedge. I was able to achieve this by fixing it to the side of the house and snaking it underground and up above ground level within the protection of the hedge. Doing this hides the pipe but more importantly in this instance I wanted to plant plants in the soil above the box so prevented the risk blocking the pipe with compost or mud.....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo0eJUF_KXcyupp2-menMVUTK0M8HwvTd-VGs0-vwnubFrNFT8MxoUUnh3EbhOBDn1e10mD_6ByCPNA8P2dV1MiK2uxsQx3__naL7ZlltH62Vsfc3ruZQ_AyLpG5o1LswXAilkFSS1c/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo0eJUF_KXcyupp2-menMVUTK0M8HwvTd-VGs0-vwnubFrNFT8MxoUUnh3EbhOBDn1e10mD_6ByCPNA8P2dV1MiK2uxsQx3__naL7ZlltH62Vsfc3ruZQ_AyLpG5o1LswXAilkFSS1c/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>with the roof firmly in place the house is buried, I also buried some rocks and logs to one side of the box where I felt is was vulnerable to stop potential predators from trying to dig it up...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyx7OHF9uwvsUmJIvLLCk2gAuXxMuEQeTxfYCPbdluENap8Y20DBJr-OJ8a50djUGtq9y54oqhgdQXKHR2Xz6IO3uDW0LdHIH8cZQU0p3EQ6qKRLlUk2kTJAH4sAdnbu4mxdGHhuFxYDs/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyx7OHF9uwvsUmJIvLLCk2gAuXxMuEQeTxfYCPbdluENap8Y20DBJr-OJ8a50djUGtq9y54oqhgdQXKHR2Xz6IO3uDW0LdHIH8cZQU0p3EQ6qKRLlUk2kTJAH4sAdnbu4mxdGHhuFxYDs/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Below the box is completely buried and with the vent pipe running from the side into the hedge you wouldn't know that it was there. You can just about make out where the entrance is under the branch that is providing valuable protection to the doorway...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLdWTT_FJaKsTixlmvAdCXncS-v6H9p6MhBZgmpGRnpnbK-lpdf5z8bdpIFOAp2-ZESY3G9pK9-DocX6dHfYUKYdnUmMzVn1df01Lb74u5tViB9UXa8b8EE_QBwaFkVuX2iN_Mbx2N6w/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLdWTT_FJaKsTixlmvAdCXncS-v6H9p6MhBZgmpGRnpnbK-lpdf5z8bdpIFOAp2-ZESY3G9pK9-DocX6dHfYUKYdnUmMzVn1df01Lb74u5tViB9UXa8b8EE_QBwaFkVuX2iN_Mbx2N6w/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>And once completely buried I did a bit of landscaping and just need to add a few plants to complete the job and provide a secure and safe home for our hedgehogs out of the way under the hedge.... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKZPW2-Krft1CGpNEXXTePTE4Ke8OB7lGv2CxEMThGb4J93rB_ilVzv-RvcLkaPA50lfBPimIrKCZPjbbrl2wBRA9k5OK7GaJFmEEaKcrya4Qnu55zvtMuN0Np5qA4tGrO_TOOqVDkGY/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKZPW2-Krft1CGpNEXXTePTE4Ke8OB7lGv2CxEMThGb4J93rB_ilVzv-RvcLkaPA50lfBPimIrKCZPjbbrl2wBRA9k5OK7GaJFmEEaKcrya4Qnu55zvtMuN0Np5qA4tGrO_TOOqVDkGY/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well that's about as much as I can show you as far as this goes at the moment although I do want to report that my neighbour told me only today that she had found a hedgehog in their garden. The best bit was that it ran under the hedge when disturbed exactly where our Hedgehog house is so I'm sure that our 'hog-house' is now inhabited!!</div>
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If you know that you have hedgehogs or you just want to put a house in the garden 'just in case' then you really must get on with this job straightaway, you never know you could also have hedgehogs in your garden very soon!!!...</div>
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That's about it for now folks but I will be writing again very soon although haven't yet decided what my next post will be about. Don't panic as I still have lots to catch up on from the summer and that's on top of current jobs and plans for next Spring!!</div>
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As always thank you so much for reading and following my mad ramblings and I'll see you all again very soon.</div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-27168144478918387712013-11-07T16:44:00.001-08:002013-11-09T16:21:24.450-08:00Preparing Garden Ponds for Winter and Spring Bulbs for Pollinators....Hello All,<br />
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As promised my postings have increased and I hope that I can maintain some momentum throughout the colder months when we all spend a little more time inside!<br />
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Talking of the colder months makes us start to think about what we need to do now to get the wildlife through the winter. One crucial job that really needs doing now is making sure garden ponds and particularly wildlife ponds are kept safe for all the precious inhabitants that live in them.<br />
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I'll take you back to earlier this summer and the creation of the third pond in the garden. This was only a small pond built into the large expanse of rockery and sits next to the main seating and eating area at the top of the garden.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Only small but the new wildlife pond was built this summer and nestles into the rockery by the main seating area. Despite it's infancy it already homes frogs and Large Red Damselflies have been observed laying eggs on the plants! This means that we must protect this new habitat through the coming winter months...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuTwyWlObTYMPXb7wFlpC4kgeTVHAaNRz0_jUPB7msDDpyiFY70_e-tr9Z5k0DgLzEeLp0tV-53c2HiLAp8MqzelI1vsXvNCDomNMPBvVeyk0YoeAY77lQVOu43K0zQKx717ECJa6vAs/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuTwyWlObTYMPXb7wFlpC4kgeTVHAaNRz0_jUPB7msDDpyiFY70_e-tr9Z5k0DgLzEeLp0tV-53c2HiLAp8MqzelI1vsXvNCDomNMPBvVeyk0YoeAY77lQVOu43K0zQKx717ECJa6vAs/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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So what needs doing to a small pond like this you may ask? </div>
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Firstly I will clean out any old decaying weeds and leaves that have blown off of nearby trees and bushes. This is vitally important as if they are allowed to sink to the bottom of the pond they will slowly decompose and if the water freezes over there is a high chance of any wildlife under the ice being poisoned!</div>
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This does sound horrible but a few simple steps will help...</div>
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For most small garden wildlife ponds you can literally get down on your hands and knees and pull out the unwanted weeds and leaves. However in a bigger pond this may not be so easy and you may need the assistance of a long handled net, a long pole or even an old sweeping brush. If the liner is made of hard fiberglass material or similar then a garden rake is a very good tool for taking out these debris, but don't use sharp instruments if you have a flexible liner as the last thing you want is a puncture that will be difficult to fix!</div>
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If like me you also have a large and deep (10'x10'x5'deep!) Koi pond then you may need the use of a special pond vacuum similar to the one you can see here........ <a href="http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/pond/pond-filters.html" target="_blank">ALL POND SOLUTIONS</a> </div>
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You can see from the picture in this link that this really is a vacuum cleaner and you simply use it to dredge the muck out of the bottom of the pond. Most of these then allow you to return the filtered pond water back into the pond. This is an extremely useful bit of kit and worth investing in if you have a large pond with valuable fish.</div>
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Whatever method you use it is crucial that you leave the weed out on the side of the pond for a day or two so that any invertebrates that you have inadvertently removed can crawl back into the pond.</div>
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Now that you have a nice clean pond you need to protect it from any leaves that are still to fall and potentially end up in your pond starting the whole problem off again. There are several different coverings from plastic garden mesh to more elaborate custom made metal grilles that fit just under the water surface and bolt into place. All of these will protect from falling leaves and metal grilles will protect from Heron attacks also. My own choice is to use a rigid plastic plastic mesh on the two smaller ponds held in place by a few rocks but for my raised Koi pond I have opted to make my own removable covers made out of untreated wood and galvanized mesh as below...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here are my custom fit homemade covers for the raised Koi pond. These protect the pond from leaf fall but are designed as three separate covers so that they can also be removed as required...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VU_7sD_BHwhC9F6SgaHyAVV4ImmhbKLr2YC9cbAo_rert3JkDw6CV2obhg3nNIhAetz8SsikgI8Oh1itsqC_je-hnhKsofpHkBTM5HC1t2JJl-ndhaktGKiI2dQCODI-2DJ7NgIiP54/s1600/slr+july+2010+003+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VU_7sD_BHwhC9F6SgaHyAVV4ImmhbKLr2YC9cbAo_rert3JkDw6CV2obhg3nNIhAetz8SsikgI8Oh1itsqC_je-hnhKsofpHkBTM5HC1t2JJl-ndhaktGKiI2dQCODI-2DJ7NgIiP54/s1600/slr+july+2010+003+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">The beauty of these 'semi permanent' covers is they are sturdy enough to withstand Heron attacks also. This Heron landed on the side of the pond but couldn't fish out the fish....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_c9h-yqLqaBRezTKfxjucsOEQAAw1dCnwdZhjrvIQjsDwhoUU7uPwFADOlFsEeGlEuDIAIiGzXIuMUwZN1b8RpRFgFh0_9VSb4HsL8DrE6GLHlVMq-RoKF8Zz0DfLBR-Ed3S6BPX73k/s1600/Grey+Heron+-+Ardea+cinerea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_c9h-yqLqaBRezTKfxjucsOEQAAw1dCnwdZhjrvIQjsDwhoUU7uPwFADOlFsEeGlEuDIAIiGzXIuMUwZN1b8RpRFgFh0_9VSb4HsL8DrE6GLHlVMq-RoKF8Zz0DfLBR-Ed3S6BPX73k/s1600/Grey+Heron+-+Ardea+cinerea.JPG" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">The fish will also become really confident under this sort of protection and can still be enjoyed....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5mw_wamCyOVTT02Nqk7Qcboz6gpz08YN_qmT7vbcgnryQ91EuuFBwwfEpkwhSgDHcMh-vCUm-x47p2mW31oU4gWOolNiMYotP4z4hXo29NQUbJhZHfB55uZqnaJI8RXBJqTeUjCov60/s1600/DSCF0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5mw_wamCyOVTT02Nqk7Qcboz6gpz08YN_qmT7vbcgnryQ91EuuFBwwfEpkwhSgDHcMh-vCUm-x47p2mW31oU4gWOolNiMYotP4z4hXo29NQUbJhZHfB55uZqnaJI8RXBJqTeUjCov60/s1600/DSCF0129.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also think about how you will prevent the water from freezing up and this is especially important on small, shallow wildlife ponds. You can buy low energy heaters that consist of an element surrounded by a buoyant material such as polystyrene that floats in the pond and keeps just small area of water clear from ice allowing room for the poisonous gases to escape. On my smaller ponds I literally cover half of the pond with thick marine plywood board, this prevents the water underneath from freezing and also adds protection to fish and amphibians that will have slowed down and become much easier for predators to catch in the cold weather. </div>
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IMPORTANT: If your pond should freeze over never break the Ice by hitting it as the shock waves sent through the water could distress or even kill wildlife in the pond. Instead use a pan of boiling water sat on top of the ice to slowly melt a hole through. If you do nothing else float a small size football or similar in the pond that can be retrieved following a freeze to expose an area of open water.</div>
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Hiding places for amphibians and insects to hide in around the edge of the pond are also invaluable. Both of my wildlife ponds have loose rocks around the edges that provide perfect resting places for toads and newts to hide under...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The use of loose rocks when building both of my wildlife ponds has created great habitat for overwintering frogs, toads and newts to hide under. Many invertebrates will also take the opportunity to overwinter here...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdmc1fUMpW7T73i_b4iXIW8mtIZ-E7Fitk9Igb8F06ReLhk8rV70KVhgo7B44ZDHXea1clVhYCvURruYf5RHDfVg8QEWbIwxlfrEDMc2jdVp5YjW1EOYw4MLM94aSVr2gPteqFmfcRcY/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdmc1fUMpW7T73i_b4iXIW8mtIZ-E7Fitk9Igb8F06ReLhk8rV70KVhgo7B44ZDHXea1clVhYCvURruYf5RHDfVg8QEWbIwxlfrEDMc2jdVp5YjW1EOYw4MLM94aSVr2gPteqFmfcRcY/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Also consider what hiding places there are in the garden as many amphibians will leave the pond and it's immediate surroundings, like this juvenile newt found hiding several meters away from the pond. In this situation a well place log pile can help...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMNcaatbbCrFT2-UPsmTmObzjWhh3VNYC_nVwcITes3aFFE7M8Yap1OAryB3jaQv3bvH3WKRtSnPqqM3bc5nejoUDH7Vc0gB6jCKa9aAQnfojRlZdPhzn2F_NRz6oUOUk4c7XogT_mdg/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMNcaatbbCrFT2-UPsmTmObzjWhh3VNYC_nVwcITes3aFFE7M8Yap1OAryB3jaQv3bvH3WKRtSnPqqM3bc5nejoUDH7Vc0gB6jCKa9aAQnfojRlZdPhzn2F_NRz6oUOUk4c7XogT_mdg/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Please do try to keep water available to birds that will now visit your garden. A small water feature such as this old sink can be a great way to provide water for them to drink from and of course bathe in. Being small it is also easy to keep ice free and maintained throughout winter...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGzJ4eFCEJzRuEpIgloFMdY0nG1nRpU2kUw9mBrV48QFz5r-nFJ_-qwAIkoMk35LK9XG78PH-XXS6G8zxKFZv-LLB0JGEUIFZXHIgjos9lTRvCHxFG1WxjhKBZ705jj7158z8AfjG4ms/s1600/DSC_0049+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGzJ4eFCEJzRuEpIgloFMdY0nG1nRpU2kUw9mBrV48QFz5r-nFJ_-qwAIkoMk35LK9XG78PH-XXS6G8zxKFZv-LLB0JGEUIFZXHIgjos9lTRvCHxFG1WxjhKBZ705jj7158z8AfjG4ms/s1600/DSC_0049+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think that this is about as much as I will say on this subject now and I do hope that it has given you a few tips of how to get your own ponds ready for winter.</div>
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Moving on and looking forward to next Spring, I recently spent a whole day planting bulbs that I'm hoping will burst into flower next Spring and provide lots of nectar for early bees and other pollinators. </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A selection of a few of the several hundred spring flowering bulbs...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_if3XB-Lqn3Ks5_Lq913igZyurOFLPQ8tRF_IM6qc75CXOSmwDFh9N07Cep6rMohJlatkIhTEyZhiAWmNzxk6fnuCS6HnHB5gaUXjOT8QqmwsWMTjcTJu3HdPovoICqdlrOkdiDM6vZU/s1600/DSC_0052+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_if3XB-Lqn3Ks5_Lq913igZyurOFLPQ8tRF_IM6qc75CXOSmwDFh9N07Cep6rMohJlatkIhTEyZhiAWmNzxk6fnuCS6HnHB5gaUXjOT8QqmwsWMTjcTJu3HdPovoICqdlrOkdiDM6vZU/s1600/DSC_0052+(3).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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As our garden sits on the edge of moorland which consists of extremely low lying marsh grazing land it remains extremely wet throughout the winter. This wetness makes planting bulbs extremely difficult as they have a tendency to rot and this is why our Spring garden has been poor so far.</div>
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Despite this problem there are things you can do to maximise your chances of success such as plant using plenty of grit in the planting holes for extra drainage. Since we moved in nearly four years ago I have been adding organic matter, grit and sharp sand to the soil to try and improve it generally. Anything else added at the time of planting can only enhance what we have started to achieve so far.</div>
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Crocus is one of the best early pollinating flowers and I have chosen several varieties purely for their 'pollinating' abilities. I have planted these under the lawn alongside Fritillaria meleagris (Snakes Head) and here's what you will need and how I do it....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Because the garden is situated on wet and heavy clay I use plenty of grit when planting bulbs to help drainage and prevent rotting...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrM1z6JF3wmHGDSP7lsVarFGcPWIrBvGFoLw2QbjDZ3MI23xbrvRs0gdxNuR0xeBShXTW7T5qXEZCc1HBwC2ac4eVAoNvaU_FAcJc3OSTSLRS9cxDvWM4kkIY4BPiba85Yi0YkZZ3vN4/s1600/DSC_0076+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrM1z6JF3wmHGDSP7lsVarFGcPWIrBvGFoLw2QbjDZ3MI23xbrvRs0gdxNuR0xeBShXTW7T5qXEZCc1HBwC2ac4eVAoNvaU_FAcJc3OSTSLRS9cxDvWM4kkIY4BPiba85Yi0YkZZ3vN4/s1600/DSC_0076+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Good quality compost will also be required....</i></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqylAboyTpL4UuoqnxK_y9SIwQUVdoxD-FGGrc7VnW5nIQGT6xOHCW3e1xLp7iKX79JpED2CbjxI5blktKeiTo2ySNkkCGUkgsGgwzKYq-T-7Ejo8qkhyphenhyphenemu1hyuFCCDnBm40g7A6U-c/s1600/DSC_0075+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqylAboyTpL4UuoqnxK_y9SIwQUVdoxD-FGGrc7VnW5nIQGT6xOHCW3e1xLp7iKX79JpED2CbjxI5blktKeiTo2ySNkkCGUkgsGgwzKYq-T-7Ejo8qkhyphenhyphenemu1hyuFCCDnBm40g7A6U-c/s1600/DSC_0075+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I then mix the compost and grit together in a big trugg at a ratio of about 50/50. If you have better soil then you may be better with a 70/30 mix or similar...</i></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwko0iJxIAtNqTIYpg_exdOGsL3GFvIbH9ceu5R9gZPhSuL4Z3ZW98cCjtq-HmTaO6Jt5pwMau_K1XjOUmpEgA5-d0Ze1tMloZIdDqppUKZ-WSgy0zERQfydDI6CcZ8hTKaBdFW5EuwKU/s1600/DSC_0072+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwko0iJxIAtNqTIYpg_exdOGsL3GFvIbH9ceu5R9gZPhSuL4Z3ZW98cCjtq-HmTaO6Jt5pwMau_K1XjOUmpEgA5-d0Ze1tMloZIdDqppUKZ-WSgy0zERQfydDI6CcZ8hTKaBdFW5EuwKU/s1600/DSC_0072+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Chop a square in the lawn using a spade and peel back the sod. I the put a layer of my compost and grit mix in the bottom of the hole and place the bulbs randomly on this mix....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklau5U2K9EfkbGFaYBhp1e1pHAQJjzAXRJ0CH0EDOo85wNJfyICUaPYlynywW5zua21z1-1N-xilYjHMczmf6ZqusVd-0s0oYVfUMGsVWIX67SiuwVdYkJNFLzxed9YyA-RkM3oGLWzo/s1600/DSC_0074+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklau5U2K9EfkbGFaYBhp1e1pHAQJjzAXRJ0CH0EDOo85wNJfyICUaPYlynywW5zua21z1-1N-xilYjHMczmf6ZqusVd-0s0oYVfUMGsVWIX67SiuwVdYkJNFLzxed9YyA-RkM3oGLWzo/s1600/DSC_0074+(3).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once all the bulbs are in place I sprinkle a bit more mix around them and then gently replace the soil and repeat until I have used all my 300+ bulbs.</i></span></div>
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As you can see from the above this is a simple way to add bulbs into the garden in a natural way. As we don't mow the lawn during spring these bulbs will come up and mix with the clover and add some much needed nectar for early pollinators.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: blue;"> Fritillaria meleagris (Snakes Head) are superb for naturalising in a damp meadow or lawn...</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY43o4cRwQNVLN1Itmu6LaBQSgxAMOSQftY11FeVbZjvko09KNuj0ysft-ThhQbFDNdrFnIJzpfCXaNdkTIDBdGexUPyibnEuHkxrSu_Rh19-6TNmSh5GMAk44wYs91tlpM82kM2xu7lI/s1600/Snakes+Fritillary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY43o4cRwQNVLN1Itmu6LaBQSgxAMOSQftY11FeVbZjvko09KNuj0ysft-ThhQbFDNdrFnIJzpfCXaNdkTIDBdGexUPyibnEuHkxrSu_Rh19-6TNmSh5GMAk44wYs91tlpM82kM2xu7lI/s1600/Snakes+Fritillary.JPG" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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Here is a list of other spring flowering bulbs that I have added this year and I recommend for pollinators...</div>
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<ul>
<li><i>Crocus chry. Romance</i></li>
<li><i>Crocus chry Gypsy Girl</i></li>
<li><i>Crocus chry Advance</i></li>
<li><i>Crocus chry Snow Bunting</i></li>
<li><i>Crocus Sieberi Tricolor</i></li>
<li><i>Crocus Tommasinianus Whitewell</i></li>
<li><i>Crocus chry Cream Beauty</i></li>
<li><i>Anemone Coronaria</i></li>
<li><i>Anemone SR Mr Fokker</i></li>
<li><i>Allium SR Cowanii</i></li>
<li><i>Allium Sphaerocephalon</i></li>
<li><i>Fritillaria meleagris</i></li>
<li><i>Ornithogilum Umbellatum</i></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Camassia is another interesting addition to a Spring garden and will naturalise easily in damp conditions. It will also tolerate dry ground in summer which makes it perfect for the garden here. I planted a few two years ago and last Spring they were visited by early Bumblebees so I have bought three different varieties to plant this year. This is a bit of an experiment as I want to see if any varieties are better than others at attracting pollinators! As well as the common variety I have added a white variety and another named </span><span style="text-align: left;">Camassia Esculenta.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I've had some success with Common Camassia attracting Spring pollinators so have planted three varieties this year to see which is best for pollinators... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eeDCFV7qNIM4n3PS0XpWpETAf9F5E3a2AMRIMKqPHNdWAlS3zlQ4PkmJY1bDAwEeSv9u-X9TZ97mo6RTGINyUCHPVN55ZkCAZ7mFhEqSZFKZlUv8V90lx2HgLxxgIx77twT9YQCoHa8/s1600/Camassia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eeDCFV7qNIM4n3PS0XpWpETAf9F5E3a2AMRIMKqPHNdWAlS3zlQ4PkmJY1bDAwEeSv9u-X9TZ97mo6RTGINyUCHPVN55ZkCAZ7mFhEqSZFKZlUv8V90lx2HgLxxgIx77twT9YQCoHa8/s1600/Camassia.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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Well that really is about it for another post and I do hope that this has been of interest to you and given ideas of what you can plant planning forward to next Spring to ensure that we are all doing our bit for garden wildlife...<br />
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Please do continue to send me your comments and feedback as I am always pleased to receive them and will of course reply to all that are sent.<br />
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Best<br />
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Higgy<br />
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-16354927335771715412013-10-29T16:25:00.001-07:002013-11-01T10:16:41.698-07:00Garden Seating a Raised Bed and Patio Make-Over!Hello All,<br />
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You are probably feeling confused at another post so soon after my last one about moth trapping and both of them following such a long gap!!<br />
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Well as I said in my last post I have lots for you to catch up with but at the same time it's that part of the year when you also start to plan forward and decide what projects need doing or certain areas that need a make over or complete overhaul.<br />
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Before we go back in time my plans to take forward into next year and from things experienced this season is to find some comfortable and good looking garden furniture. You may have noticed from past postings and pictures that our main seating and outside eating area contains a large oval shape white plastic table and chairs set. Although practical it looks downright UGLY!!!<br />
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As a reminder here is a picture of the nice secluded seating area that I worked hard to create...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our main seating area is situated below the Koi pond and is tucked away behind the trellised raised bed that in the height of summer is full of tall and lush planting making a nice natural screen. A small wildlife pond here also adds extra interest but it's a shame the same can't be said for the white plastic 1980's patio set!!!....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xzieqo-JG4mtoRn-82aqyZ_vxjfvHt2WxHnV-DjzDSsjQ6wWUUa3U33m5WA-FVi2qq17AsvmnMMv-EeU_jHFORJ6dE7UyEQwjboagxpbuSbKr4GoPQncozQbiAJE93pZV9rb27B6S-Q/s1600/DSC_0019+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xzieqo-JG4mtoRn-82aqyZ_vxjfvHt2WxHnV-DjzDSsjQ6wWUUa3U33m5WA-FVi2qq17AsvmnMMv-EeU_jHFORJ6dE7UyEQwjboagxpbuSbKr4GoPQncozQbiAJE93pZV9rb27B6S-Q/s1600/DSC_0019+-+Copy.JPG" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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So first plan for next year will be to get rid of the 1980's white plastic patio set and get something a little more attractive and in keeping with the garden. Initially I have been looking on line to see what is around and to get an idea of what would fit into the style of our garden. With wood featured throughout the garden initial thoughts are to go with a wooden picnic set with attached seats similar to the furniture supplied by the company here...<a href="http://www.gardenfurniturecentre.co.uk/garden-benches-range.html?cat=711" target="_blank"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">'The Garden Furniture Centre'</span></a><br />
Please do take a look and let me know what you think would fit best?<br />
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Going back in time to August of this year and to a little project that I completed one weekend, not so much for wildlife but to tidy up a certain area of the garden and tie it into other recent landscaping jobs. As I have said on numerous occasions although the garden is for wildlife and we are extremely proud of what wildlife it has attracted so far, it has to be used as a family space and we like it to also be an attractive space. With this in mind I decided that it was time to tidy up the area by the raised beds on the old patio and will take you through this project step by step below...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have been keen to tidy this area of old patio up for some time and have been slowly utilising this unused space with the addition of a raised vegetable bed and a cold frame to bring on plants in. However it still remains an unattractive and drab concrete space!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgOS8bfqSOkB1AQAX7uqyWxq2uxyfGKTLd-AckQODorPiAhAgR_NQUqC5eOap8CjFQJoGuU-1xWu71umnJfgvk88FE9Qrb4LBBm8uWXgBaRGzBnxm1x3BnRYnnFjt2ufbPGWJh4TL72k/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgOS8bfqSOkB1AQAX7uqyWxq2uxyfGKTLd-AckQODorPiAhAgR_NQUqC5eOap8CjFQJoGuU-1xWu71umnJfgvk88FE9Qrb4LBBm8uWXgBaRGzBnxm1x3BnRYnnFjt2ufbPGWJh4TL72k/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>In true Higgy 'recycling' style I also managed to 'liberate' some old scaffold boards that had been sawn in half and were destined for the fire place! 'I've got just the job for them' I thought to myself before asking if the builder if I could have them!!.. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2nJKPWO9BkA2PRkfyrIlbs6cgeXlzI80iYZw1Fdyvdg7uMgA_jjpt3yVV_hHTSQj2w6uhCpYQsDbyl1iupC0M-20VsGUq-zMnlwMPKloZw3g5ybhrFoEqNEW40QyQgvIPIer60yBHfI/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2nJKPWO9BkA2PRkfyrIlbs6cgeXlzI80iYZw1Fdyvdg7uMgA_jjpt3yVV_hHTSQj2w6uhCpYQsDbyl1iupC0M-20VsGUq-zMnlwMPKloZw3g5ybhrFoEqNEW40QyQgvIPIer60yBHfI/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
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With a rough plan in my head and with a few old scaffold boards I set to work transforming this ugly concrete space into a much nicer 'softer' looking area and of course creating a little extra planting space at the same time! (well you still have to think about the wildlife a bit and add some pollinating plants wherever you can!!!)<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The boards were simply stacked into place on top of the existing patio which provided a firm level base that I knew drained adequately...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrloObz_5KvNmoAcfs0adjuR_Bjkaj6TOr83M2QHAblUcGBWwJtHg2OvSWeMn7WrXfNPbMcUlKbqxWBegKIVSM_Nr3EBGASkuJTMmDoX9Y9X3RvY3GSzinc4VG43S_dB7ajXGrTZpJD7w/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrloObz_5KvNmoAcfs0adjuR_Bjkaj6TOr83M2QHAblUcGBWwJtHg2OvSWeMn7WrXfNPbMcUlKbqxWBegKIVSM_Nr3EBGASkuJTMmDoX9Y9X3RvY3GSzinc4VG43S_dB7ajXGrTZpJD7w/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>In a many of my garden projects I use this galvanized building strap to fix together wood especially inside structures such as raised beds where it can be hidden out of sight. The beauty of this strap is that it's readily available from any builders merchant and you can easily cut it using tin shears and it comes pre-drilled!!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUPef45G4GdGMI9ICCWXS1YSeM7XgdmbCtzkHSG_XKCssXqgiYqNsDPV4etMSOUGjj28WyPo9_-vipSA7gAVi_fTyWLsnLAiATyX_oPwAFd8d-NpJLfFqmH3xx59AC0AACkyDpBc0Hl0/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUPef45G4GdGMI9ICCWXS1YSeM7XgdmbCtzkHSG_XKCssXqgiYqNsDPV4etMSOUGjj28WyPo9_-vipSA7gAVi_fTyWLsnLAiATyX_oPwAFd8d-NpJLfFqmH3xx59AC0AACkyDpBc0Hl0/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once a piece of the builders strap is cut to the required length simply screw it into place using some good quality exterior wood screws. I generally use about four screws depending on the size of the pieces of wood being joined....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4u03HMxnNJUxVN5s0PaDnr9pW845Vr0_PAWMrWUTbrTr3klD5MF6fQP1E-Lt6siXEldqk70AdlYhl0tltc0BQoeb4hsb6HaFYxDZCkGgU5BnfmbGiWNgveIit2dyk29B7E1SaVktu2g/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4u03HMxnNJUxVN5s0PaDnr9pW845Vr0_PAWMrWUTbrTr3klD5MF6fQP1E-Lt6siXEldqk70AdlYhl0tltc0BQoeb4hsb6HaFYxDZCkGgU5BnfmbGiWNgveIit2dyk29B7E1SaVktu2g/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" height="311" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The inside of the raised bed is then lined using old compost bags, this protects the wood from rotting and also helps to retain moisture in the compost....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMCo1w8DWD-vQes-yeplsmJvAWEHyBSMLAcY12XOsD3N-IF3lCpoU3M-Q5LJxx6xdcwTMFnZcZFx4vTByBMbHlBpreVTP5oGs0KlcNYs87y1G8e3XSN6Zt3w4hEc4v7jg5-809GtYnZw/s1600/DSC_0220+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMCo1w8DWD-vQes-yeplsmJvAWEHyBSMLAcY12XOsD3N-IF3lCpoU3M-Q5LJxx6xdcwTMFnZcZFx4vTByBMbHlBpreVTP5oGs0KlcNYs87y1G8e3XSN6Zt3w4hEc4v7jg5-809GtYnZw/s1600/DSC_0220+-+Copy.JPG" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the raised bed finished and lined with polythene I filled it with a mixture of compost and well rotted manure and planted it a few different plants. As it needs to be a big feature it has been planted with a nectar rich Hydrangea and some Japanese anemone for autumn pollen and colour. Also planted is some bamboo to help act as a bit of a screen and a Arum Lilly to help tie it in with slightly leafy jungly look in this part of the garden,</div>
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Despite the new raised bed this part of the garden was still an old concrete patio that looked drab and made for quite a boring floor surface that still didn't really tie into other works recently done here like the rockery and plum slate detailing in the seating area below.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Despite the new bed and planting this area still looked drab and boring...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0UaxAZh7p4tlEFB4zYLMEBqIlXz_70TqtMiH3cumkuhLj2h547phIDpDEHnQ2EsVPKqlifMQJa5umpH_MVnnYuHxRKHmDse4SffXIbbcdRcyVhNKqheb3LUzDO28pkpD0qOaSB-foo8/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0UaxAZh7p4tlEFB4zYLMEBqIlXz_70TqtMiH3cumkuhLj2h547phIDpDEHnQ2EsVPKqlifMQJa5umpH_MVnnYuHxRKHmDse4SffXIbbcdRcyVhNKqheb3LUzDO28pkpD0qOaSB-foo8/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was now that I decided to go the whole hog and sort this 'boring flooring' problem out also...</div>
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Due to the problem we have with horsetail weed I decided to keep the firm level base of paving slabs as they provided a good solid base to work from and also offered a strong barrier and good resistance to these dreaded weeds.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The first stage of my new slate path was to fix 'runners' to the concrete slabs... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This was done by drilling through the wooden runners and then drilling and 'raw plugging' the concrete pavers which were in turn screwed down onto the floor....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The wooden runners were spaced evenly to look attractive but to also help to keep the slate aggregate in place.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once all the runners were screwed securely in place plum slate was spread out between them.... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The combination and contrast of the wooden runners and plum slate really make this whole area much brighter and add much needed interest....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>In this last picture you can really see how this simple make over ties this area into the rockery and seating area below. By using the same materials it creates real flow through the two areas and links them up in a smart and modern way.... </i></span></div>
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So that really is a quick fix on a drab and boring and under used area of the garden. We included some salvage and recycling with the scaffold boards and ended up making I think an interesting and much smarter area than now blends seamlessly into the next part of the garden. One thing that I really wanted to achieve in the garden was completely different spaces and areas that did their own thing yet still linked effortlessly to their neighbouring areas. I think in this case we have managed this as there is a lot going on in these spaces including, Koi pond, Vegetable bed, Flower beds, Wildlife pond, Rockeries and of course the garden's main seating and entertaining area! Yet somehow all these different aspects and features work wonderfully with each other now!</div>
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This probably concludes my mad ramblings for this time but I do hope that this has given you a few ideas about what you could also achieve in your own garden, with not a great amount of work, on a small budget and in just a space of a weekend!!</div>
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Next time I will report on a few more of the summers past tasks in the garden and of course some more wildlife visitors. Planning forward will include some spring bulbs I've chosen for early pollinators also.</div>
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My leaving picture is a view of the large perennial pollinating border taken in October. Even now it still holds a lot of colour and flowers providing nectar for late bees, butterflies and other pollinators....</div>
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As always thanks for reading I hope that you have enjoyed it and found some interest in this latest project. Please do mail me with your thoughts and comments as I always love to read them and will of course answer all messages that receive.</div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-31041202019625262572013-10-24T17:00:00.001-07:002013-10-24T17:00:23.152-07:00Garden Moth Traps and a Family Friendly Wildlife Garden...Hello again,<br />
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I really can't believe that my last post on here was actually back in July! With the fantastic hot summer that we enjoyed this year every spare minute has been taken up in the garden either on projects, basic maintenance or to be completely honest just thoroughly enjoying it!!<br />
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As I touched upon on my last post I have spent hours photographing and recording new species that have turned up in the garden this year also. Anyone who has done this themselves will understand the massive amount of time that trying to identify many of the 'unknown' insects takes!<br />
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On top of this the garden has just been the most fantastic place to spend hot summer days with the family whilst having lots of fun! The play area and play equipment suddenly came into it's own with lots of use on sunny days and typifies the whole ethos of this wildlife garden doubling as a completely usable family space also....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's also a family garden enjoyed as much by children and adults as well as the wildlife that lives in it and visits it....</i></span></div>
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At one point during the 'heatwave' we rushed out to try and buy a slightly bigger paddling pool for my six year old daughter only to find everywhere in North Somerset sold out! Having spent a whole day looking we eventually thought on the way home to drop into on of the large 'garden/leisure' centers situated just down the road and bingo! The only problem was that the smallest one left was BIG!!....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>At 6 feet in circumference the new paddling pool fitted in well and gave hours of fun for the whole family!.... </i></span></div>
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The picture above shows how the garden has developed over the last three years and you can clearly see lots of colour from the nectar rich planting. I think that this also demonstrates how you can incorporate play equipment yet still provide a real haven for wildlife. Amazingly in the part of the garden on display here there is an 8 feet Trampoline, climbing frame, slide, swing and of course the large paddling pool. Despite all this play equipment and a 6x6 greenhouse we still have masses of wildlife features and other interest. This part of the garden would be approximately 70'x40' so a similar size to many 'average' gardens.<br />
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So having lazed about and generally enjoyed the garden what else has it been used for this year?<br />
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Well despite the obvious BBQs and gatherings for friends and family I have focused quite a lot of my time on moths! In fact I promised myself last year that we would try and look at moths in more detail this year now that the garden has matured.<br />
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Our first event was to borrow a moth trap off of our local wildlife group and set it up one Saturday evening to see what comes along. Well what a result we had and certainly it felt good for our fist attempt. With the help of a couple of friends from the group we identified about thirty species or so. If you haven't done a moth trap before I thoroughly recommend it and especially if you have young children as despite initial reservations my daughter loved it and was thrilled at the job of letting the moths go after they had been identified. This of course is also an extremely educational experience for both children and adults alike!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The HERALD was one of the more colourful moths on the day and proved a real hit with my daughter because of it's orange colour...</i></span></div>
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With such a positive result with just one small trap and my appetite now wet, it was decided along with my local wildlife group to host an event involving several traps that would be set up and located around the garden and left over night. The next morning we would invite a number of members to come along and help identify the moths! This would of course help me to see what we were getting in the garden but also help the group by encouraging other members to get interested in moths....<br />
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So the evening arrived and with the help of my friends Tony and Faith a total of four traps were situated around the garden in different locations and left to do their work overnight....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Below is an example of one of the smaller traps, which basically consists of a metal box with a hole in the lid. Sitting in this lid is a plastic funnel that seals the hole in the lid leaving only a small access point for moths attracted to the light situated on top to flutter down into. Once in the box the moth will settle among the 8 or so cardboard egg boxes inside and rest up nice an quietly. It's also important to mention that below this funnel is a smaller funnel that drains out of the bottom of the box in case it rains.... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Although not a very good picture this shows the traps located around the garden on the night of the 'big trap!'</i></span></div>
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The following morning I was up at about 5am to ensure that firstly the traps (now hopefully full of moths!?) weren't situated in the sun as it rose and also to clear away any extension leads and other bits of kit prior to the 'guests' arriving. When organising an event where people are visiting your garden it pays to spend the extra time to ensure there are no tripping hazards and all runs as smoothly as is possible. The welfare of anything caught is always your number one priority to ensure it stays calm and stress free and is kept in the trap for as little amount of time as is possible.</div>
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So on arrival of our guests everyone is briefed as to what we want to achieve and how we intend to do it to ensure the safety of any moths caught. Also it's important to point out that at no time are any moths handled and they will be extracted out of the traps by use of small plastic specimen tubes and by experienced trappers only. This way they can be examined identified, photographed and released nice a swiftly and without harm. By having these rules in place everyone is clear and you can then focus a little more time on peoples learning and enjoyment</div>
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I also like to work from a large table where there is plenty of room to lay things out such as your reference books, cameras etc so that everything is to hand and you don't end up wasting time searching for items. The table that we use is also situated right next to our release site and someone will have the job of swift and safe release of moths. This makes sure the moths are dealt with quickly and also frees up and keeps a flow of specimen jars readily available.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It is really important to consider your release site for any moths captured and examined. I release them into this area which is an old tree covered by thick clematis. The moths fly up into the dark entanglement of branches away from predators and out of the scorching sun...</i></span></div>
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Now that we have considered and informed everyone of how the event will run it was time to start emptying the traps and recording what we had caught. This is an extremely exciting experience and you never know what might just crop up unexpectedly!</div>
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I have to say that we were extremely fortunate with this event and despite not perfect weather conditions during the night we actually caught and recorded over 50 species of moth! This in itself was apparently very good but a friend who is a renowned local moth expert actually went on to say that it was the best haul he had seen locally within the last ten years! This wasn't only for number of species but more importantly numbers of single species, as an example we recorded well in excess of 50 moths for some single species! I can't begin to tell you how this sort of statement makes you feel especially when you have been trying to develop your garden for this very thing!</div>
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So here's a quick round up of just a few of the moths that we recorded and have now helped to take our garden tally up to about 100 species so far this year!...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Angle Shades - Philogophora meticulosa</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Burnished Brass - Diachrysia chrysitis</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Blood-Vein - Timandra cama</span>i</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Centre-barred Sallow - Atethia centrago</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Gold Spot - Plusia festucae</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Grey Dagger - Acronicta psi</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Large Yellow Underwing - Noctua pronuba</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Lesser Yellow Underwing - Noctua comes</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Lime-speck Pug - Eupithecia centaureata</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXXtFDe2-6wuiVTAxrFwfWsd7n_GnQ8v1cVnduMdAek8Ps4NbiHnM8K3IZUxmGm3P9Rp7-_X9ZBm06cmSTqq7Jev5-Dvbw1nWF3f-5Q11WaNCSOmRgr475K9BQIAO1BEx5Kian0uJEns/s1600/Lime-speck+Pug+-+Eupithecia+centaureata.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXXtFDe2-6wuiVTAxrFwfWsd7n_GnQ8v1cVnduMdAek8Ps4NbiHnM8K3IZUxmGm3P9Rp7-_X9ZBm06cmSTqq7Jev5-Dvbw1nWF3f-5Q11WaNCSOmRgr475K9BQIAO1BEx5Kian0uJEns/s1600/Lime-speck+Pug+-+Eupithecia+centaureata.JPG" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Purple Bar - Cosmorhoe ocellata</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Red Underwing - Catocala nupta became the real star of the show as according to our moth expert this have been in real decline in this area and he hadn't seen one for quite some time!</i></span></div>
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I really would love to list and display all of the moths that we recorded on the night but time and space just won't allow unfortunately. Regular readers may have noticed that I have now started to list the names of species seen so far in the garden on the right hand side of this blogg. This is still very much a work in progress but I will continue to do this as time allows and will include a list of our moths also.</div>
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Two last things whilst on the subject of moths is firstly the amazing amount of 'Mother of Pearl' moths that have been visiting the garden this summer and on some nights virtually every flower on some plants has had a moth on it! They seem to particularly like Purple Loosestrife and Varonicastrum which has proved a superb moth plant, as you can see in the below picture... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1DW7abHfV_bK0-hyaIwvpbUqwAHdGjei-spTPwt4dBettpW7UXpaFLuNRyIttMkAzcgAhSS6oXfY6HosMWjCmJu5QnPJZ1eACMQhKau_aUzhnt_O-9qLzL5ub1JPTf3Mf2uc8hGUBCA/s1600/Mother+of+Pearl+-Pleuroptya+ruralis+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1DW7abHfV_bK0-hyaIwvpbUqwAHdGjei-spTPwt4dBettpW7UXpaFLuNRyIttMkAzcgAhSS6oXfY6HosMWjCmJu5QnPJZ1eACMQhKau_aUzhnt_O-9qLzL5ub1JPTf3Mf2uc8hGUBCA/s1600/Mother+of+Pearl+-Pleuroptya+ruralis+(3).JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Mother of Pearl - Pleuroptya ruralis (below) and above on Varonicastrum</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlfsATDADqm2gqACOLjoHDdUZLlDI13pdCZ-oitc9As1t8vacEiwE1t73FGIeAVLdcbUP6qAHrWzGGIWR26iRBL4fIQah3gziyj7qVHtLDCP2Em1MtQsV9tbg6Y3v2oWGwq06HulimDg/s1600/Mother+of+Pearl+-+Pleuroptya+ruralis+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlfsATDADqm2gqACOLjoHDdUZLlDI13pdCZ-oitc9As1t8vacEiwE1t73FGIeAVLdcbUP6qAHrWzGGIWR26iRBL4fIQah3gziyj7qVHtLDCP2Em1MtQsV9tbg6Y3v2oWGwq06HulimDg/s1600/Mother+of+Pearl+-+Pleuroptya+ruralis+%25284%2529.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally I have always dreamed of finding one of the large Hawk Moths in the garden and this summer on two separate occasions I was fortunate to not only see but photograph a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the garden. Absolutely AMAZING!!!...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_MUIP2nHhHa_3eSo7j9BTsoDAsRXJ-r0PK37HdDHPzUAU_jP0an0NjyJ5jmqmGPVMsxDgUUftozHg-Yl-em-197U_2owPXXvjEoQwzYVSOdovFYyYyiermkFOXDisPaGvfali53ylog/s1600/Hummingbird+Hawk+Moth+-+Macroglossum+stellatarum+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_MUIP2nHhHa_3eSo7j9BTsoDAsRXJ-r0PK37HdDHPzUAU_jP0an0NjyJ5jmqmGPVMsxDgUUftozHg-Yl-em-197U_2owPXXvjEoQwzYVSOdovFYyYyiermkFOXDisPaGvfali53ylog/s1600/Hummingbird+Hawk+Moth+-+Macroglossum+stellatarum+(2).JPG" height="320" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">A dream come true!!..... Hummingbird Hawk Moth - Macroglossum stellatarum</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkbDEwVxUSqaf79oDVeN3v-Jejgpye05jzSM9pHL-XqjTnYFU1RGviv9AqqHgtHiu9_rY7IEzk218kuzfqIP2qtWmndjJR6BNU5XIi2srFtD-zUY_Fkoo7f7lZAs__8leyDRPLQUIgjs/s1600/Hummingbird+Hawk+Moth+-+Macroglossum+stellatarum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkbDEwVxUSqaf79oDVeN3v-Jejgpye05jzSM9pHL-XqjTnYFU1RGviv9AqqHgtHiu9_rY7IEzk218kuzfqIP2qtWmndjJR6BNU5XIi2srFtD-zUY_Fkoo7f7lZAs__8leyDRPLQUIgjs/s1600/Hummingbird+Hawk+Moth+-+Macroglossum+stellatarum.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well that's about it for now but as the nights are getting darker from here on in, I will be posting more on my bloggs and have lots for you all to catch up on from the summer, so watch this space for the next post that will be coming very soon!....</div>
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Thanks for reading</div>
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Best</div>
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Higgy</div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-38355939541216875042013-07-29T16:41:00.002-07:002013-07-29T16:49:14.189-07:00Spring Watch Butterfly and Moth Special in Higgy's Garden!!!...Hello All,<br />
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Well what an exciting time it has been in the garden over the last month or so! Not only have we had some great periods of hot sunshine that brought out lots of butterflies, we have recorded many more new species of wildlife almost on a daily basis! In fact I simply haven't been able to keep up with what has been happening and my records and identifications are really behind now!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Marbled Whites' appeared in the garden for the first time this summer and are now regular visitors.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JxKi15drAnXoIEtBT8ShDLN5lrTs2tjAhdbGghu-yCdxSFCFinIHUySVP2m2IBkU0JQCsN-kD4pQN3RH_MciRd3Mj9KnqH9KM7NpRjnKpoFDqdU5Kox2XMz7k_h0vTjfGu1TTwr0Nv0/s1600/Marbled+White.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JxKi15drAnXoIEtBT8ShDLN5lrTs2tjAhdbGghu-yCdxSFCFinIHUySVP2m2IBkU0JQCsN-kD4pQN3RH_MciRd3Mj9KnqH9KM7NpRjnKpoFDqdU5Kox2XMz7k_h0vTjfGu1TTwr0Nv0/s1600/Marbled+White.JPG" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
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As I touched on in my previous post, we were privileged to be approached by the BBC and asked if they could film for a Spring Watch special about butterflies and moths in our garden! Now I still haven't got to the bottom of how they got wind of what we have been doing for wildlife in our garden as several people have claimed responsibility!! All I can say is however it happened, thank you very much as we had a great day filming and thoroughly enjoyed the finished program, which had some fabulous content about butterflies and moths.<br />
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Martin Hughes-Games was the presenter and meeting him was great as he is a really genuine guy who is exactly the same off screen as he is on screen making the day really good fun! The whole team were in fact superb making it a great thing to be part of and of course promoting what can be done in your own garden for wildlife to a 'massive' audience! Let's hope we inspire a few more people to garden for wildlife and enjoy the wildlife that benefits from their efforts as we continue to do here!<br />
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Leading up to the day of filming we had less than two weeks to get the garden looking at it's best. I will confess that I spent every evening after work deadheading, weeding, planting and generally titivating to try and present it as well as I could. Things did get a bit stressful at times as many of the plants that should have been in flower where so far behind thanks to the wet winter and record breaking cold spring we experienced! This made life very difficult and I did use my local nursery to 'plug' a few gaps where we had lost plants from the cold spell.<br />
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If you can find a dedicated plant nursery who are reliable and grow a good variety of plants such as Middlecombe Nursery who I use do, then I would recommend that you stick with them. I particularly like Middlecombe as when I visit the plants are absolutely buzzing with bees and alive with butterflies showing that they are healthy and full of pollen unlike many plants that are mass grown and over-bred from abroad!<br />
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If you live in the North Somerset area then check out Middlecombe for yourself and get your own garden buzzing! For more info here's a link to their own website that tells you little more about them and the plants they grow... <a href="http://www.middlecombenursery.co.uk/General/AboutUs.html">http://www.middlecombenursery.co.uk/General/AboutUs.html</a> The nursery is situated just off of the A370 at Congresbury so is easy and accessible.<br />
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So with the onset of a film-crew arriving and having something to film I'm going to show below some of the plants we concentrated on not only for the camera but more importantly for our pollinators who were having an extremely difficult Spring at that time..<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="color: blue; text-align: center;">Astrantia, and....</i></div>
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<i style="color: blue;"> Sweet William, and...... </i></div>
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<i style="color: blue;"> .....Scabious make a fantastic early summer plant combination enjoyed by all pollinators including bees and butterflies.</i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Oxeye Daisy threads it's way all around the garden in late spring / early summer providing nectar for early pollinators. I chop it right back once the flowers start to go over and it provides a second flush of flowers later in the summer... </i></span></div>
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As well as the above plants that featured in the garden when filming took place (mid June) was a new plant that I sowed last year and it has proved absolutely irresistible to all types of bees is Campanula Canterbury Bells as below...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Grown for the first time this year Campanula Canterbury Bells....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The flowers are like giant bells and the plant itself grew to about 3feet tall. All types of bees absolutely love this plant and are amusing to watch as they cover themselves in generous amounts of pollen that this plant provides!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The other plant that we felt was a bit of a banker and has shown spectacular results for us this year is Knapweed that also attracts great numbers of pollinators of different types...</i></span></div>
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So as you can see from above we were relying on a few reliable plants to bring the pollinators in and of course add some much needed colour for the cameras!<br />
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The day before filming was planned to take place the heavens opened and we had torrential rain! I couldn't believe it and my already high stress levels were through the roof by now! I was moaning to my wife saying that "I haven't seen a butterfly all week" and "the garden isn't where it should be nothing's flowering when it should!" "There won't be anything to film!!" My wife just retorted that there was no more that I could do and the BBC should be able to get something onto film!<br />
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Quicker than expected the day of the shoot arrived, I got out of bed and opened the bedroom curtains in the hope that I would see sunshine and butterflies everywhere; No such luck I realised as I looked out onto an overcast day full of drizzly rain!! This really wasn't what I'd hoped for but it's what the day brought so we just had to go with it.<br />
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10am arrived and so did Martin and the crew, I was relieved to see that they were all good fun people and that we should have a fun filled day if nothing else! The cameras and equipment were humped around to the rear garden and I was blown away with what I saw next....<br />
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....the crew were stood on the decking open mouthed just admiring the garden, then I got a barrage of compliments and lovely comments about what I had created, which I have to say was somewhat of a surprise and extremely flattering. I think that often you work with something so closely that you don't take a step back admire your hard work and what has been achieved. I'm sure that there is a lesson for all of us there!? <br />
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Even better now was that the sun had come out and we could see pollinators starting to flutter around the flowers which had also plucked up thanks to the torrential rain the day before!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The view of the garden that met the TV crew on the day of filming...</i></span></div>
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The day went really well and the whole experience of filming was really interesting. On top of this the sun stayed out and the day got hotter and hotter, combined with the rain we had the day before and overnight the garden just bursted into life with a real sparkle!</div>
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Martin and I walked around the garden and talked about what I had done to encourage wildlife and some of the thinking behind it. My panic from the day before was now gone and we sparked up a real rapport batting off quips against each other. The producer had brought a script but neither of us needed it as I think we could both 'talk the hind legs off of a donkey' given half the chance! Hopefully both of our passion and enthusiasm for wildlife came through on film.</div>
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On our trip around the garden we were joined by a few Small Tortoiseshells as well as Droneflies and Hovverflies, Bees buzzed over the colourful flowers and when we went paused next to the wildlife pond a couple of frogs even popped up to say hello! </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A few Small Tortoisehells arrived for the camera...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our walk past the pond found an audience....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>In the long tussocky grass by the old stone bridge feature we filmed a butterfly or moth chrysalis...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> Only to be immediately joined by an inquisitive Toad!!....</i></span></div>
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It was at this point that we spoke at length about Ragwort, a really controversial plant as it supports many species of insect many of which are in severe decline or even endangered but it is toxic to cattle. Research has shown that a cow or a horse would need to eat about 14lbs in weight of the plant for it to be fatal, however there are many other claims made about it. If you want to read more about it then use this link which will take you through to a site giving details & facts, <a href="http://www.ragwortfacts.com/index.html">http://www.ragwortfacts.com/index.html</a> I'll let you make your own mind up about it and whether it should be included in a wildlife garden or not...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Ragwort, friend or foe?? No comment, I'll let you decide!...</i></span></div>
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We moved onto the mini wild flower meadow and Martin commented on the amount of bees and hovverflies buzzing all around us. I have to say, despite the crews amazement I have been bitterly disappointed with the wild flowers this year so far. As we sowed lots of perennials seeds I had hope for a few more plants to be in flower during filming but it was timed just after the spring wildflowers had flowered but before our summer species came into bloom! Normally by this time of the year I would have also planted annual plugs such as Corn Marigolds and Corn Flowers. As I knew filming was likely to happen this year I ordered in plugs rather than grow my own which turned out to be a big mistake! Our supplier let us down and it was only after persistently chasing them they sent the Corn Marigold plugs and Cuckoo Flower plugs a week before we filmed. The plugs were small and some were damaged when they arrived so we ended up with a lot less flowers than hoped for in the mini meadow which was disappointing! (A mental note to myself to grow my own again next year!!)</div>
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<i style="color: blue;">Despite being let down by our supplier we still had a few wildflowers in flower for filming!...</i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Wild Carrot has prove a very successful and long flowering plant for pollinators...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Self sown thistles have also turned up trumps this year. Ladybirds have feasted on them as they've grown and now that they have started to flower they are loved by bees and butterflies...</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: blue;"> </i>With a good few hours of film under our belts we stopped for some lunch including a delicious cream tea made for the occasion by my wife! The cream tea seemed to go down very well but was cut short as the crew dashed out with mobile phones to take pictures of the garden to show friends and family! This did seem strange but I was extremely flattered that the garden should have such a positive effect on people!</div>
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The afternoon was taken up with Martin recording the close to the piece and of course my now famous quote of <b style="font-style: italic;">"Well you don't get a garden like this by having a tidy shed!!" </b>As you can imagine I received many texts about this following it going out on air!</div>
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Before I knew it the day was over and the crew had left! But what a cracking day it was and I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of it!</div>
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If there was anything that I would change, then it would have been to film the following day as the weather got hot and sunny and we had an absolute deluge of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies descend on the garden!</div>
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I was actually so overwhelmed by the amount of butterflies and insects that I shot the following video footage the day after filming and sent it in to the guys to demonstrate that we do normally have a few more pollinators than they saw the day before! If you watch the video you will see that it actually got to the stage where you had to watch where you stood!!....</div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/z95xuGxr0i0">http://youtu.be/z95xuGxr0i0</a> (Link to my Pollinators Special video)</div>
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I think that does really give you an insight into my day of filming with the BBC which I hope you will agree was a roaring success. I also hope that you watched the program on Friday and agree that it was a really well made and fascinating look at the life-cycle of butterflies and moths!?</div>
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Keeping with the butterfly and moth theme, next time I will talk in more detail about my garden moths and what we found when we did our first moth trap in Higgy's Garden! </div>
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To wet your appetite I'll leave you with one of the more common moths that we found but please do sign in next time to see what else turned up in the trap!!?......</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Small Emerald (Hemithea chrysoprasaria) was one of over forty moths that turned up in our first ever moth trap - see what else we caught next time!!...</i></span></div>
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On that note I will bid you all goodbye and hopefully catch you all hear next time!</div>
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As always thanks for reading and please do send in your questions and opinions or even ideas for the garden or blog as they are all read and very much appreciated.</div>
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Cheers</div>
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Best</div>
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Higgy </div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-80385143128032661362013-07-01T16:50:00.003-07:002013-07-01T16:50:52.565-07:00Gardening for wildlife and children and an upcoming TV appearance!!... Hello All,<br />
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I hope that you are intrigued by the title of this post and wondering what the 'TV appearance' part is all about!?...<br />
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Well all I can say is that there is some really exciting stuff happening for me and the garden at the moment and you will have to read on to find out a bit more about it...<br />
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Firstly before we talk about this exciting development lets take a look at the garden and what I've been up to since my last post...<br />
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Those of you who read my blog regularly will know that I have a real passion for creating a garden that not only attracts wildlife but is attractive and user friendly for my family. Most importantly it has to be enjoyable and lots of fun for my 5yr old daughter. With this in mind I have been thinking for some time that I really should be creating ideas of how to introduce further play equipment into the garden for her!<br />
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The current play area already has a climbing frame, slide and trampoline, the ground is covered with a generous layer of bark mulch which provides a soft landing if she were to fall over. With space at a premium I needed to think of a feature that was different and utilised the tiny bit of space that runs behind the trampoline and then on behind the greenhouse...<br />
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After much deliberation and not to pass over the chance of introducing a little more slow rotting wood for the wildlife my decision was to recycle some of the log rounds that I saved from my neighbours tree last year... <br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>So here they are Willow rounds saved from the felling of my neighbours tree last year!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Can you guess what they will be yet?..</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I imagine that you all guessed it, they struck me as perfect stepping logs! My daughter always enjoys the balancing apparatus in play grounds so these logs offered a great opportunity to include something similar in her play area and make an awkward path become a fun place to walk or hop!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I painted the tops of the logs in her favorite colours and with fun designs to make them fit in with the fun feel of this space. The rest of the log is left unpainted and will in time begin to rot from underneath creating a mini habitat for all sorts of insects and mini beasts!!....</i></span></div>
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So there you have a really quick and extremely easy way of introducing another play feature into your garden. With a bit more space you could create as many steps as you like and use logs of different heights to make it much more challenging! I think the key message from me is that these logs were going to be thrown away but have been recycled for the benefit of both children and wildlife! A double 'whammy' in my book!!</div>
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Moving on from play areas, what else have I been up to since the last time that I wrote?</div>
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Let's firstly revisit the new wildlife pond in the seating area that I told you about in my last post. At only a month or so old I have now planted it with Irises, Marsh Marigolds, Water Avens among other marginal plants and oxygenating weed (as in the below picture)...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The new wildlife pond has now been planted....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>And at only a few weeks old I'm amazed to see a variety of wildlife already taking up residence including several frogs of varying sizes!!!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the wildlife moves in when you get the habitat right for it!!</i></span></div>
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So before I get on to the exciting news here's a quick tour of the garden and round up of recent goings on in the garden....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Ceonothious was without doubt the very best Spring Bee plant and at times you could hear the buzzing from some distance away! A 'must have' shrub for early pollinators...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Also enjoyed by early bees was our Clematis Montana...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It also created a spectacular place to sit by covering our secret seating area...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The wild flower area started to show signs of life with a spectacular display of meadow buttercups... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Vegetables are now planted in the raised beds and are growing well. This year we are growing French Beans, Runner Beans, Peas, Carrots, Spring Onions and Potatoes....</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">BAD NEWS was that we had a major aphid attack on our honeysuckle!! :-( ....</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>But then GOOD NEWS!... Our resident Bluetits spent several days picking them all off to feed their chicks in our bird boxes!!.... :-)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>EVEN BETTER NEWS.... The chicks did very well on our aphids and all successfully fledged!! </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Clear proof that gardening organically and for wildlife really does work!!!!!!!!....</i></span></div>
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And a few new arrivals....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A young newt found in the wildlife pond, which is situated in the wildlife area at the bottom of the garden...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>14-Spot Ladybird - (Propylea 14-punctata) a new record.....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Cercopis vulnerata - another new record for the garden......</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Common Marbled Carpet Moth - Chloroclysta citrata...... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Dryophilocoris flavoquarimaculatus - apparently common but a first spot for us again.....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>An Underwing Moth (currently unidentified so please do get in touch if you can give me the exact species please??)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>And finally our Common Buzzards are back in good numbers having moved away during the cold Spring. It's great to see them back in good numbers souring over the garden again!!....</i></span></div>
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So there you have it folks, that's about it for another post. As you can see the garden really is evolving and we are seeing increased numbers of new species being recorded in the garden which is really encouraging!<br />
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OH OK! As you've waited this long I suppose I'd better clarify the 'TV' part of my title....<br />
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Well it really is exciting news for me as I have been approached by BBC SPRINGWATCH to see if my garden could be filmed for the upcoming SPRINGWATCH SPECIAL!!! Not only have I been asked I can now confirm that filming has actually already taken place which is really exciting!!<br />
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I can't go into too much detail here only to say that it was such an enjoyable day and meeting Martin Hughes-Games and the team was great fun and what a friendly chap he is! We had great fun and it will be interesting to see how this comes over on the big screen!<br />
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The program is due to be aired on 26TH JULY 2013 so please do put it in your diaries and have a look at 'Higgy's Garden Project' on TV!!...<br />
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As soon as it has been aired I will be writing a special post on here to tell you all about the day and some exciting discoveries that we made whilst filming!<br />
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Hope to see you all next time<br />
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Best<br />
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Higgy<br />
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-35829989228578788122013-05-28T10:44:00.002-07:002013-05-28T15:50:37.334-07:00Changing seasons but still recording new garden species!...Hello All,<br />
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I really can't believe that it was the end of February when I wrote my last post! The British seasons really are upside down with not only the wettest winter on record but now the coldest Spring on record also!<br />
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This Topsy-turvy weather is annoying for us gardeners but more importantly a matter of life and death for our visiting wildlife. There have been terrible stories in the news recently of birds that just haven't found enough food and have basically starved to death or just not had the necessary reserves to make not through the cold periods. This really does make all of our gardens a haven and in many cases a necessity for all types of wildlife. Locally badgers have struggled for food and on the frosty and freezing nights back in April we had a big badger that came into the garden every single night and literally spent hours picking through the seed that had been spilled by the birds from the feeders. I think the willingness to search for scraps showed how desperate things were for them. On the plus side it gave us great views of a badger close up and allowed for a bit of fun with an on-line live badger watch! you can check that out on my other blog here.. <a href="http://higgysnorthsomersetwildlifeadventures.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://higgysnorthsomersetwildlifeadventures.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Badger was so desperate for food that it raided my partially built raised bed for scraps from the seed bird feeders!</i></span></div>
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So what about the garden?...</div>
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Well I have to say that for the winter and most of Spring not a lot has been done! This has been a real pain with the ground generally sodden and unworkable! A positive was that this did give time to appreciate what is visiting on a regular basis to find food, much of this I showed you in my last post. With the weather a little more settled and warmer a few jobs have now begun and the garden is starting to once again look a little more 'managed' and inviting. So here's a quick run down on a few things that I have done over the last few weeks....</div>
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The bricks under the patio steps that led from the top patio to the lower 'rockery' level have been slowly disintegrating making them unsafe. To fix this meant ripping out the old steps and creating new ones. To try and blend this area into the fairly new rockery I decided that I would in fact extend the rockery feature to run the whole width of the garden and make this whole seating area a bit more attractive and inviting. Although out of popularity these days large rockeries can be great for wildlife with lots of hiding places for all manner of bugs, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. This habitat will then encourage other predators to come and hunt for food, I have actually watched a Kestrel hovering over the rockery area obviously hunting out the wood mice that I know reside here, quite a special sight over your back garden!!</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>As you can see below I have taken away the concrete slab steps and integrated the steps into the extended rockery by using rocks and slate... </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The rockery was then extended to run to the other side of the steps also....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Not being totally happy with the outcome and to add extra interest for wildlife I then added a small wildlife pool that in time will be planted up to attract pond-life. This also makes for interest here as this is next to our main seating area....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This picture below is to just illustrate the rockery looking in the other direction, which has now at last been weeded and re-planted with pollinating perennial plants...</i></span></div>
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As this is our main seating area I have spent quite a lot of time recently getting it nice so that, in the hope of a good summer we can sit and enjoy the fantastic environment that is slowly evolving around us! Whilst the rockery adds interest I have also built a new raised bed with trellis on the other side of this seating area, this raised bed and trellis mirrors the one on the other side of the arch that I showed you in my last post and provides division and interest to the garden whilst adding protection from the wind also....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This new raised bed and trellis adds division as well as height and interest. It also provides protection from the wind to the seating area. Along with the rockery on the other side this has helped to create a feeling of being among the plants and becoming a real part of the garden!....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhOIqt8EgzqcqEL2YPiBus9dqPOk946850Be2RrNaZp4BK2USRdVkLHnDs2i3KnCd7hk-uTNv8vA7qqS65iqv6sIPHTlDJ3KKRdUM8OkNFup-8-wXLUzu8ZRhbrtl6BO6bv1Tfb8hyphenhyphenxA/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhOIqt8EgzqcqEL2YPiBus9dqPOk946850Be2RrNaZp4BK2USRdVkLHnDs2i3KnCd7hk-uTNv8vA7qqS65iqv6sIPHTlDJ3KKRdUM8OkNFup-8-wXLUzu8ZRhbrtl6BO6bv1Tfb8hyphenhyphenxA/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As my regular readers will know I now struggle with my back and hip injuries so I'm not able to spend as much time in the garden as I would like and have to be careful or more often than not ask for assistance with some of the heavier tasks! However this doesn't dampen my passion for the garden and it's wildlife and other small tasks have been completed recently such as tidying up the old sink that the birds love bathing in. I have basically used a few small rocks and soil to partially hide it and then added a few plants almost creating another mini wildlife pond I suppose....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I've included this to demonstrate that any space however big or small can have a wildlife friendly water feature!! The birds love bathing here.... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnQd9xjmMZn6BTGRTlgdsX36YddxLQtefjx6KVF_aEL8L9soh70nwNEdg8jb6bIv_SETyDDCX5CuOPKytOyCMXi2XidHUUoLS8ES-wHQ9c1gd70EzVQNw1jao6QT9Lay57g8oxO9iKk8/s1600/DSC_0049+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnQd9xjmMZn6BTGRTlgdsX36YddxLQtefjx6KVF_aEL8L9soh70nwNEdg8jb6bIv_SETyDDCX5CuOPKytOyCMXi2XidHUUoLS8ES-wHQ9c1gd70EzVQNw1jao6QT9Lay57g8oxO9iKk8/s320/DSC_0049+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">This little chap dug it's way down into the soil minutes after completion of the above water feature!!..</span></i> </div>
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So what about the wildlife?...</div>
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Well we have had a great start to the year with several new species recorded already! I'm really pleased about this as it does demonstrate that many of or resident creatures and bugs have successfully survived some horrendous weather conditions thanks to the work that we have done here in our small corner of North Somerset! Year on year our visiting species list increases which I find very rewarding! </div>
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As always to save space and time here's a picture run down of the last few months in 'Higgy's Garden'...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Two of our newly installed bird boxes were/are being used by Bluetits!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QXYf2h4d1fg1qgMD3PYjW1xZLGXabp2KDlSnnWq3F0v1aVNBGL5Sye0qfw5UIuZvpLx3lRCod_hg-u2E5scIKMCzJX9s6aEPUD88UmV2Vrrw-b8ILd6YWubrUnfTJGH5a8Ngjjr3VUo/s1600/Bluetit+in+birdbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QXYf2h4d1fg1qgMD3PYjW1xZLGXabp2KDlSnnWq3F0v1aVNBGL5Sye0qfw5UIuZvpLx3lRCod_hg-u2E5scIKMCzJX9s6aEPUD88UmV2Vrrw-b8ILd6YWubrUnfTJGH5a8Ngjjr3VUo/s320/Bluetit+in+birdbox.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our dogs fur proved an extremely highly regarded bedding material!!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>22-Spot Ladybird is a brand new record here and one I'm really pleased with considering the number of Harlequin ladybirds that are about!!..</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PV_-CmLSF6axCCABuhAuIymQ5oicUWZ4Ps7SyVd4e6kKiNsV8OwtK9E7uPHkt8nAU_RxKyItxJR2njr0FNLdmvIpm2MdyuekIKMTD4gXoyr6pXD0oZ7swVt8VICf9qP1sBkdsEBy69k/s1600/22-Spot+Ladybird+-+Psyllobora+22-punctata+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PV_-CmLSF6axCCABuhAuIymQ5oicUWZ4Ps7SyVd4e6kKiNsV8OwtK9E7uPHkt8nAU_RxKyItxJR2njr0FNLdmvIpm2MdyuekIKMTD4gXoyr6pXD0oZ7swVt8VICf9qP1sBkdsEBy69k/s320/22-Spot+Ladybird+-+Psyllobora+22-punctata+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Another 'newbie' was this caddis fly....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>UNIDENTIFIED!!.... If you can help ID this bee please drop me a line or comment below....</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"> Snakes Head Frittilary, one of the first and prettiest flowering bulbs to make an appearance... </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBsKr1GF2nDimOf-4eH6QY1mR0rP3L54LwiIF6jBrZQa_Xb0UvleXI-XbHeytnIu4y0vXWMEOUtuN6adT1IQ1pGzG3II8qaM0QqzD_RSN2FrXdcNtGL_lkwrNRqhf_dakHauKdcTzg9k/s1600/Snakes+Fritillary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBsKr1GF2nDimOf-4eH6QY1mR0rP3L54LwiIF6jBrZQa_Xb0UvleXI-XbHeytnIu4y0vXWMEOUtuN6adT1IQ1pGzG3II8qaM0QqzD_RSN2FrXdcNtGL_lkwrNRqhf_dakHauKdcTzg9k/s320/Snakes+Fritillary.JPG" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>German Wasp - you can make your own mind up about these!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2qMt1z40LRr9BFcTA_mR95t0Vj3hX5tFElj9kqjJHn4YK65VfjdQ3jjRHjlQzP5pF_UjFBiGbR0OojhKWficzWD1fCf5H9qP3T6JW7pb8SKNzcSJ-eLFKJr5PSLQi_UvlqQ7PTSODxc/s1600/Wasp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2qMt1z40LRr9BFcTA_mR95t0Vj3hX5tFElj9kqjJHn4YK65VfjdQ3jjRHjlQzP5pF_UjFBiGbR0OojhKWficzWD1fCf5H9qP3T6JW7pb8SKNzcSJ-eLFKJr5PSLQi_UvlqQ7PTSODxc/s320/Wasp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Daisies and Forget-me-not's proved very valuable to all pollinators this year including Drone Flies like this one here on some Forget-me-not... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx5DVd9Ab-FachdspN0hST-c_WgaWGqIT6zbrFdpfTFkoVrlyYu6frFsIMtsO8qXaRA09JUYy3337gguPAfovvO6V7ZrGaXPKaIfNuKusDYRVpR6VDAPlTDOK9xCLGi6KHbDdSfdpRXU/s1600/Drone+Fly+on+Forget-me-not+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx5DVd9Ab-FachdspN0hST-c_WgaWGqIT6zbrFdpfTFkoVrlyYu6frFsIMtsO8qXaRA09JUYy3337gguPAfovvO6V7ZrGaXPKaIfNuKusDYRVpR6VDAPlTDOK9xCLGi6KHbDdSfdpRXU/s320/Drone+Fly+on+Forget-me-not+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> Rhingia Campestris - another 'Newbie' in the garden although quite common...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Clop60AX_OLehRbkGKL0AAcBOqtJmFFv_n6Czz6fHHhh2nJOtCptyNOqR_UJ4VSAjv2P4Y4ZQ_2otOzNKPBxlD2DwfqAW2swD1r2Ew0OY_l65pZwkyvsZGx3Bryy4oJ_CyvTdnrMbxY/s1600/Rhingia+Campestris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Clop60AX_OLehRbkGKL0AAcBOqtJmFFv_n6Czz6fHHhh2nJOtCptyNOqR_UJ4VSAjv2P4Y4ZQ_2otOzNKPBxlD2DwfqAW2swD1r2Ew0OY_l65pZwkyvsZGx3Bryy4oJ_CyvTdnrMbxY/s320/Rhingia+Campestris.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Snipe Fly - again quite common but a new record in the garden...</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Aliums are at last giving some much needed colour and a source of nectar for our insects!!....</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk5fZ_efuN3nIHHOpDdkbWWHkiutxf16WU5vHoNFRBSLWXIgkgi3bu1b2GDQQNBpGSgyZhlO5d6whpFjXD1L59nJqbpR4UCW7P95ocL-lQ2XJLTBtmwBXcHBCJ9xEUhotM_ekbaYaylk/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk5fZ_efuN3nIHHOpDdkbWWHkiutxf16WU5vHoNFRBSLWXIgkgi3bu1b2GDQQNBpGSgyZhlO5d6whpFjXD1L59nJqbpR4UCW7P95ocL-lQ2XJLTBtmwBXcHBCJ9xEUhotM_ekbaYaylk/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Large Red Damselflies started putting in an appearance about two weeks ago and always signal the start of summer for me. They help me look forward to the wonderful Dragonflies that we are blessed with here on the North Somerset Levels...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Only our second record of this red beauty... Pyrochroa serraticornis....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHioidgoP2NfjwRVcMqE-iGdMZMMKCn1Gilw44A-9aKNMNqr5PxWy-W1PkZvxAzH9ajPupxcUSfVUAMdcd5zfJnh9U7oPMj5gU1x4Q7XujJ18UTEcrg5Qce-jNSF7YRZV0MyfCHzj-2g/s1600/Pyrochroa+serraticornis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHioidgoP2NfjwRVcMqE-iGdMZMMKCn1Gilw44A-9aKNMNqr5PxWy-W1PkZvxAzH9ajPupxcUSfVUAMdcd5zfJnh9U7oPMj5gU1x4Q7XujJ18UTEcrg5Qce-jNSF7YRZV0MyfCHzj-2g/s320/Pyrochroa+serraticornis.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Mint Moth is proving to be one of our most reliable moths here and is a pretty moth that needs to be enjoyed magnified like this due to it's small size.... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjo0YF7vzF-HUYlxxeRr1WheCgFBMdW43ZrGffDU2RnkDDidNLqwkPA9suPet7nuoDlZK8qa13Ok6fVDQuNRYOrwLqOQaw1ZZh2Z9714rXQrC9Hrd-dGTsw46wmS98dneR8lRAoF1eCk/s1600/Mint+Moth+-++Pyrausta+aurata.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjo0YF7vzF-HUYlxxeRr1WheCgFBMdW43ZrGffDU2RnkDDidNLqwkPA9suPet7nuoDlZK8qa13Ok6fVDQuNRYOrwLqOQaw1ZZh2Z9714rXQrC9Hrd-dGTsw46wmS98dneR8lRAoF1eCk/s320/Mint+Moth+-++Pyrausta+aurata.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>We get lots of spiders in the garden and this year has seen quite large numbers of wolf spiders with both common and meadow species recorded so far....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafTa9CBIXYKjVm-X3_G75PAeEJHMCI4EDesepRdY-1MSlt9rNJsD3G1qyhb2ICAhvduNuGX3lM0OGgGis1T0uDHAMhb7GUIWBcTwK8x4nVyxxuC0rOzDzGn3uimNxXsRnVgwQsGHv6xM/s1600/DSC_0034+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafTa9CBIXYKjVm-X3_G75PAeEJHMCI4EDesepRdY-1MSlt9rNJsD3G1qyhb2ICAhvduNuGX3lM0OGgGis1T0uDHAMhb7GUIWBcTwK8x4nVyxxuC0rOzDzGn3uimNxXsRnVgwQsGHv6xM/s320/DSC_0034+%25282%2529.JPG" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Finally I'll leave you with yet another new record for the garden - 'Arge Pagana'</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV3ui7lVtwyLMzz5rpBlUJIBLcscNhe6xOR7i6UlHrnlOnZtKVmglbAyVd4NjVwbK3Qe6pPtXmzvhZ88rXtQI22OJBI8_cUqCp53AgTQLJw6sPZtKb2Xo_1axmKKgqH-86veFvxOYRZA/s1600/Arge+Pagana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV3ui7lVtwyLMzz5rpBlUJIBLcscNhe6xOR7i6UlHrnlOnZtKVmglbAyVd4NjVwbK3Qe6pPtXmzvhZ88rXtQI22OJBI8_cUqCp53AgTQLJw6sPZtKb2Xo_1axmKKgqH-86veFvxOYRZA/s320/Arge+Pagana.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that is about it for now, apologies that this post is such a long time after the last but I think you'll agree, there has been some really exciting things happening here! I hope that you have enjoyed reading this post and have found my new discoveries as thrilling as I have!? Although many species are common, creating a new record for the garden is an amazing thing and makes all the hard work so worth it!!</div>
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It's also great to get kids involved and my 5yr old daughter loves seeing the wildlife and all the bugs and creepy crawlies, I really can't urge you enough to have a go and see what you can attract into your own garden? At the same time you will be providing an education for your children that is unmatched and completely free! Maybe they may get hooked and become the next David Attenborough or Chris Packham!!...</div>
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As always thanks for reading and please do send me your comments...</div>
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Best Regard</div>
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Higgy :-)</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-25939847915047575912013-02-25T17:58:00.000-08:002013-02-25T17:58:05.329-08:00Locating Bird Boxes, Boggy Ground & Recycling a Willow!!..Hello All,<br />
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With the current weather I have found myself posting a bit sooner than usual! This is good for the blog but generally means garden time has been very limited!...<br />
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Well it is good news for all you followers as firstly you get another input but even better is that I have actually managed to get out in the garden and do a few jobs at long last!!!! It hasn't been much but enough to at least feel like we are starting to look forward to this seasons garden again!<br />
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Firstly my 5yr old daughter recently asked me if she could plant some seeds, which as I'm sure you can imagine, I didn't need asking twice! We ventured out to the greenhouse to find that all the wet weather had left it rather dirty and covered in a horrible green algae! As you are all aware by now I use no chemicals in the garden at all so we set to work with simply soapy water, a sponge each and a hose! Between a good soaking and Choco our dog chasing a very 'lively' hose around the garden we got the job done but it delayed our sowing until the following morning!<br />
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Whilst busying ourselves cleaning it became very apparent that the ground under the arch onto the lawn was getting boggier and boggier every time we walked over it causing quite a muddy problem both outside and more importantly all over Mrs Higgy's nice clean floor (I blame the dog myself!!) This however couldn't go on so needed addressing ASAP (apparently!!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OXytHlUuCBslMXB6pfXhjqBYEvCuEbDlouRILPEnQeD3ZT6WU2tlNFND8xBh2yxAYiWHNhyphenhypheneQIlV5pzpZvj4qwWY9B-pxVeM-I_5BWIi6xJc-QPeR_Q7yXd-7nNzPRlUi7fyt4jS1qk/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OXytHlUuCBslMXB6pfXhjqBYEvCuEbDlouRILPEnQeD3ZT6WU2tlNFND8xBh2yxAYiWHNhyphenhypheneQIlV5pzpZvj4qwWY9B-pxVeM-I_5BWIi6xJc-QPeR_Q7yXd-7nNzPRlUi7fyt4jS1qk/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>These two pictures were taken prior to cleaning the greenhouse and despite the two bags of grit that have been put down here the area become water logged as the lawn slopes down onto the patio at this point creating a natural 'water hole!' I'll let you use your imagination as to how it looked after my daughter and I & the dog spent a whole day trampling over this area with a hose running for part of it!!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-Hg5BgFkQoEkRt8wQ24zhcHzHoeQwoMTMtQU5RIPIHxe8EUqlWlNXOLsiD0lHe7ROHS_jK87oyzQPrlxkXkWmHuTfOJfLBS4z8kQKrah8ODFrQt0REVBle2VNeTFUwRdZsqdaUNc9LI/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-Hg5BgFkQoEkRt8wQ24zhcHzHoeQwoMTMtQU5RIPIHxe8EUqlWlNXOLsiD0lHe7ROHS_jK87oyzQPrlxkXkWmHuTfOJfLBS4z8kQKrah8ODFrQt0REVBle2VNeTFUwRdZsqdaUNc9LI/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>To address this I dug out the area and set large rocks into the ground to create a step up from the patio, as below...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKMvfHZylaaCwcbRo6f7zplIqkjw3CZbkdfHNtPkuwqnndzNqCiIgpDkXCENPxEi9VoYgjYvVvjcvBX_1vu9xqoiRH6eqFeGpOaKPT_LZVTo5bvf_YmycdHrQ_RDlmbjz3SgIEd53yZg/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKMvfHZylaaCwcbRo6f7zplIqkjw3CZbkdfHNtPkuwqnndzNqCiIgpDkXCENPxEi9VoYgjYvVvjcvBX_1vu9xqoiRH6eqFeGpOaKPT_LZVTo5bvf_YmycdHrQ_RDlmbjz3SgIEd53yZg/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have also set a row of rocks behind and filled the space under the arch with gravel to aid drainage. The rocks behind will be capped with pavers bringing it up level to the highest point of the lawn and creating a step up onto the lawn. I will lay some pavers or cobbles on top of the gravel to add a solid path through the arch which takes ALL foot traffic at this point of the garden.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCh6w921oVgDdNfqLKTv2DhZFtqJkk8XqEuEkQasnE6IIPMYXtL1vIPGEe-cRMgYDc4xAmC0lLcuQKWz-xTzQ4WRZhenas9FByh3PoZu8F6I-BdfLN5la8xoUL4umjFcej_66u37d_kY/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCh6w921oVgDdNfqLKTv2DhZFtqJkk8XqEuEkQasnE6IIPMYXtL1vIPGEe-cRMgYDc4xAmC0lLcuQKWz-xTzQ4WRZhenas9FByh3PoZu8F6I-BdfLN5la8xoUL4umjFcej_66u37d_kY/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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This is as far as I have got with this little job but it was nice to get out and actually do some work again! I will of course show you the completed job in my next post hopefully. You will also be pleased to know that I have managed to source 'reclaimed' materials to finish this job which is always nice and the way that I like to work!</div>
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Talking of 'reclaimed' materials, my neighbours had a massive Willow Tree in their garden cut down a while ago and I managed to 'blag' all the logs and bark chippings for use in the garden (can't stand to see it all go to waste!) The chippings I will use for mulch and allow some to rot down but the logs will be used for another wildlife log pile in the garden and one in the field and for other landscaping jobs as required....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUbmlO1qUsghiJE3nZlEn861wR9PIFWnlaVKvIgy3YNNdh8bEwHq7NYdLLfEk9vV85m2iBaEuqCoW4lz7QOphUu-3f_CNr9Z2Uj85JcSNg4746MQfQ5ay4aeqSZIxuVd7Qyr6YOCfc8k/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUbmlO1qUsghiJE3nZlEn861wR9PIFWnlaVKvIgy3YNNdh8bEwHq7NYdLLfEk9vV85m2iBaEuqCoW4lz7QOphUu-3f_CNr9Z2Uj85JcSNg4746MQfQ5ay4aeqSZIxuVd7Qyr6YOCfc8k/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>So what about that for some 'free reclaimed' materials!!?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>These logs give me lots of choice for log piles, edging as well as a dozen large rounds that I plan on using as stepping stones, giving another fun feature for my daughter and her friends to play on this summer!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPhhNZFbJxe2k9oD19hf25AEj9df12Sif5TZt_e6RPFf4zcdD7teRu_hJ63B9DEdAaK5mhn_lKaJZcssoKE2gFd2MU4cOpZCM941KsgtbvXAJVxdLkRwhlufguVc2hSWShAJdYWF25bI/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPhhNZFbJxe2k9oD19hf25AEj9df12Sif5TZt_e6RPFf4zcdD7teRu_hJ63B9DEdAaK5mhn_lKaJZcssoKE2gFd2MU4cOpZCM941KsgtbvXAJVxdLkRwhlufguVc2hSWShAJdYWF25bI/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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The other really important job that I must highlight on here is of course the fixing up all of my bird boxes. I made these boxes a while ago and designed them to hopefully accommodate various species of bird...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_BB3sPPdzeVPZDDiJhNmdqgS-5AH1ua3ZUaVqa7TgBeWuaJBat7kmFhKR-61Y6NsjFVLI9vzAvkJK9FGgQZc_6M0NzaIE_NwBAnG5sl3y46-lPAa4xFRLBRqz9Sv6xwbM0LJig0l_1U/s1600/DSC_0002+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_BB3sPPdzeVPZDDiJhNmdqgS-5AH1ua3ZUaVqa7TgBeWuaJBat7kmFhKR-61Y6NsjFVLI9vzAvkJK9FGgQZc_6M0NzaIE_NwBAnG5sl3y46-lPAa4xFRLBRqz9Sv6xwbM0LJig0l_1U/s1600/DSC_0002+(3).JPG" height="293" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The box above I have situated in a shady area on the wall of the house. The hole has been kept small at 25mm in the hope of encouraging Blue Tit, Coal Tit or Marsh Tit all of who visit the garden. On this box you can also see that I use two metal eyes screwed into the lid and the box itself. I attach wire to these eyes to hold the lid tightly down. this is repeated on both sides of the every box making access easy for yourself but impossible for likely 'raiders' such as Squirrels!!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7KXPv_v9nMVtf0KfRAmVYD_qyPh4LlrBOFeNNhWVKbGiEWOpLfYvjKp1aLT-DlcQdj834Ee79_P6OEJJSPMdXBGSIFNLhp5W-LX7pfpARVJSc9eNcu21RMvnzWtG-H2Hd4oE9oDUT88/s1600/DSC_0004_01+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7KXPv_v9nMVtf0KfRAmVYD_qyPh4LlrBOFeNNhWVKbGiEWOpLfYvjKp1aLT-DlcQdj834Ee79_P6OEJJSPMdXBGSIFNLhp5W-LX7pfpARVJSc9eNcu21RMvnzWtG-H2Hd4oE9oDUT88/s1600/DSC_0004_01+(2).JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This open fronted box has been designed for Blackbirds and I've located it on a fence amongst some overgrown Ivy close to where Blackbirds nested last year.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV4Ac0k8h4XDrKOFSO2t3jpxTUWmEvWMiKJXt9G-zQeNA6Li5P1_gRKpo7fckSKKzTedn7w7-USvACa1TyRtvXYi834f_vUOOHK9_2X3rFDrDLKWdP2UjIzv41dah8bKEsJqdFHXy1rY/s1600/DSC_0031+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV4Ac0k8h4XDrKOFSO2t3jpxTUWmEvWMiKJXt9G-zQeNA6Li5P1_gRKpo7fckSKKzTedn7w7-USvACa1TyRtvXYi834f_vUOOHK9_2X3rFDrDLKWdP2UjIzv41dah8bKEsJqdFHXy1rY/s1600/DSC_0031+(5).JPG" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This box has a large hole and is situated on the large old Oak Tree right at the bottom of the garden. I'm hoping that its quieter location will attract a larger species to nest such as Nuthatch or similar. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqENvgvb238h8w-FCcst4Le7oJAp_jX_dg3BvNGZslBZPvnt9JyjVSfagMFUG4Ghlwm1jTzCaUPI8MW-iblTvisTcS1wkatVUAVwHg6SQiQs3f4wLGzkFn-JaHoGeQ88HeFaYBbmQauY/s1600/DSC_0030+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqENvgvb238h8w-FCcst4Le7oJAp_jX_dg3BvNGZslBZPvnt9JyjVSfagMFUG4Ghlwm1jTzCaUPI8MW-iblTvisTcS1wkatVUAVwHg6SQiQs3f4wLGzkFn-JaHoGeQ88HeFaYBbmQauY/s1600/DSC_0030+(2).JPG" height="320" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have included a aluminium face plate on this box as it is situated on a tree quite near a branch which could give easier access to the box for a squirrel or cat. This face plate will protect the hole and any would be chicks inside. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsAaUXaYZoizy7ilL6PJisA1JMUmbPS73RGHB9NTWp7KKl5r9DIrFVr6-ptZ-HejRLZQAdiQ7falbVnASRveaXZ2AeNcp8NrZKbuRg2aYMFCM4kK27LuddDZjRauUWjdpJP8YnApYxF4/s1600/DSC_0041+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsAaUXaYZoizy7ilL6PJisA1JMUmbPS73RGHB9NTWp7KKl5r9DIrFVr6-ptZ-HejRLZQAdiQ7falbVnASRveaXZ2AeNcp8NrZKbuRg2aYMFCM4kK27LuddDZjRauUWjdpJP8YnApYxF4/s1600/DSC_0041+(4).JPG" height="320" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This final box has a 28mm hole for Great Tits and is situated on a trellis fence behind the greenhouse. It points exactly NORTH EAST which is the ultimate direction for any box to face! </i></span></div>
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I have tried to face all my boxes as close to NORTH EAST as I can but obviously this can prove difficult depending where and what you mount them on. All of the boxes have been made with waterproof roofs using old pond liner and you can find details of how I make my bird boxes on my post from last year here...</div>
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<a href="http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/2012_11_01_archive.html">http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/2012_11_01_archive.html</a></div>
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Finally lets look at my recent visitors, which I have to say have been extremely plentiful and very enjoyable recently!!...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Finches, Finches & more Finches!!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>We have been absolutely inundated with finches this month with at times 100 or so in the garden and surrounding trees! They make a great noise and are fascinating to watch on the feeders like the Chaffinch & Brambling squabbling above! Below is a beautiful male Brambling. Bramblings overwinter here in Britain from countries such as Sibera & Scandinavia so are a rare and welcome sight on my feeders!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Below is a male Greenfinch proving that my growing population of 'greenies' continues!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Siskin is a truly beautiful bird and bright yellow when viewed on your feeders. First time visitors to my garden this winter and generally arriving in amongst the large flocks of mixed finches. These lovely little finches tend to be winter visitors here in North Somerset. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Reed Bunting has to be one of my favourite visitors to the garden where they will stay on the feeders for quite a long time. They will visit all year but are mainly a winter visitor to the feeders. This year numbers have increased with four birds very often present on the bird table!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Yes of course where there is food!!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>You'll find Gulls and in my case a flock of 20+ Black Headed Gulls who drop in every day to see what's on offer!!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9dowmcaSYkGRKqJUhHKreVlTAjYqCsnZXhElGyHQF6wI2ifJLsgC5vo3A2IRLmJ7Yxk9IBiWjrSSauQYKVO8jQIr8UPyND65eZkACWexAukOKCwibFyHYXkHdPFSEsOzhTNQy-OwLZc/s1600/Black+Headed+Gull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9dowmcaSYkGRKqJUhHKreVlTAjYqCsnZXhElGyHQF6wI2ifJLsgC5vo3A2IRLmJ7Yxk9IBiWjrSSauQYKVO8jQIr8UPyND65eZkACWexAukOKCwibFyHYXkHdPFSEsOzhTNQy-OwLZc/s1600/Black+Headed+Gull.JPG" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well that's about it for this time, it has however been great to actually have some proper news to share with you all again! Hopefully tomorrow it will stay dry for my day off and I'll get a chance to finish my steps and make a start on some log piles! </div>
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For now I'll thank you all again for taking the time to read my blog and sending me your comments, please do keep them coming and pass on this blog to anyone else who might be mad enough to read my 'ramblings'...</div>
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Cheers</div>
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Higgy</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-70364971510064577832013-02-08T19:04:00.000-08:002013-02-08T19:05:14.557-08:00Cutting a wild flower meadow, winter bird feeding & SNOW!...Hello again,<br />
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Well what am I going to write about? Lots of time has past since my last post and the weather continues to frustrate us here making gardening on the soggy ground virtually impossible!<br />
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My wild flower meadow/lawn was in dire need of its Autumn cut but September came and went, the rain continued through October into November, then we were into December and more rain! On the rare occasion that we had more than a days break from the rain the local water level continued to rise and the garden got boggier & boggier!....<br />
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You will be pleased to know that I did eventually get the area cut but this was right at the end of December!! Now I know that this is much later than a wild flower area would normally be cut but with the current weather you never know it might just prove ideal!!!...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>You can see in this picture that the wild flowers and grass have been strimmed right down to the earth!....</i></span></div>
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Everything that you do in a wildlife garden has an effect on something, like the Green Woodpecker in the picture above who is now a daily visitor to the wild flower area, probing the bare patches of earth for ants! Gardening for wildlife really is fascinating and so rewarding!<br />
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So it was great getting a few dry days to finally get out and get at least that job done! However two days later this happened.....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Yep, six inches of snow!! But what a magical transformation it gives the garden with great views across the snowy fields!....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gYLcoIaK-mQJotLu8YXlI-Xpd6JyGt8PFqoccdIIemhyVUoTYvzVLQwaJYnaiKF0eLeoYKwQK5wByKEutjep_ZJ4k391R_H8sRqlVip7_baTm3gxAZb3t14OjUDx31Wid8oneyikM38/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gYLcoIaK-mQJotLu8YXlI-Xpd6JyGt8PFqoccdIIemhyVUoTYvzVLQwaJYnaiKF0eLeoYKwQK5wByKEutjep_ZJ4k391R_H8sRqlVip7_baTm3gxAZb3t14OjUDx31Wid8oneyikM38/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>And of course the garden transforms into one giant playground for my 5yr old daughter who spent hours outside building a snowman and a snowdog! Snowball fights were enjoyed by the whole family including Choco our dog who loved catching the snow and running laps of the garden!... </i></span></div>
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The thorough enjoyment that we all had messing about in the snow just ticks another box as far as 'family enjoyment' of the garden goes! Having this fantastic outside space is great at all times of the year and the snow gave us good reason to really enjoy being in the garden again!! This was a refreshing break after all the rain we have had!</div>
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Whilst the families enjoyment is great it is during these really cold spells that we must think about our visiting wildlife and in particular birds who find it impossible to find food on the frozen ground. </div>
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My feed rate and style changes in prolonged cold spells with consideration given to what species are visiting and how they like to feed. This may sound strange but is extremely important especially as we have encouraged them to come to the garden in the first place. Letting up on the feed now would be letting down the birds and of course what the garden was actually designed for... wildlife!</div>
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So what do I do differently?...</div>
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Well not a massive amount but these few simple steps can make a massive difference to hungry birds... </div>
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<li>Every morning the frozen water bowl is de-iced with hot water and this is repeated through the day as necessary. Even in really cold weather birds still need to drink and bath to keep their feathers in tip top condition!</li>
<li>I start feeding meal worms as they are an instant energy boost for many species, however large numbers of Starlings seem to be the main takers this year! I tend to keep meal worms for the colder weather otherwise it becomes a bit expensive feeding them all year round!</li>
<li>Step up the amount of seed. I also add a few extra sunflower hearts which the birds absolutely go mad for during the winter months. If this becomes a bit expensive mix them with whole black sunflower seeds that are a bit cheaper. My finch numbers really escalated this winter and during the snow & freezing weather they were eating two large feeder fulls of sunflower seeds/hearts a day!!</li>
<li>I also throw some mixed seed and sultanas/raisins on top of the snowy ground for ground feeders such as Blackbirds and Dunnocks. My largest single Blackbird count was two short of twenty all feeding on this ground feed! Normally I wouldn't throw seed on the ground as I don't want to encourage rats but with these numbers of birds visiting it soon gets eaten up!</li>
<li>Fat Balls are another favourite and I noticed my Blackcaps enjoying them this year as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker amongst other species.</li>
<li>Keep the nuts topped up as they offer quick energy although other than the Woodpecker and Coal Tits they weren't fed on so much this year. Even the squirrels ignored them homing in on the sunflower hearts which without doubt have been the most favoured food type this winter!</li>
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The other thing to consider is erecting a couple of extra nesting boxes when the temperature drops as many species will overnight in boxes when it gets really cold! Tits are especially known for this with sometimes 10-20 huddled together in one box to keep warm!! I have erected several boxes around the garden recently but will tell you about them in more detail next post...<br />
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I think the talk of feeding the birds and nest boxes brings me nicely to my recent 'snowy' feathered visitors....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Massive numbers of Blackbirds in the garden this winter. Sprinkling Raisins or meal worms on the ground certainly brings them in...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Chaffinches are at home on the bird table but also frequent the seed feeders as well as joining the ground feeders on the deck! Good numbers this year again.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>We really are Buzzard rich in North Somerset and they are a common sight over the garden. This one is part of a group of three that flew past the bedroom window and I just managed to grab the camera and take a quick snap!!...</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Sunflower Hearts are without doubt the most popular feed this winter and my finch count has gone through the roof with often 20+ finches in at any one time! Greenfinch in particular have shown a massive rise in numbers with a dozen birds often present, beating last winters average figures of three!! They are often joined by other species such as Brambling and Siskin so definitely worth feeding Sunflower Hearts if you can!... </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>We've seen two Robins in the garden on a regular basis this winter...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>What was I saying about Sunflower Hearts!! Cheeky Chappy!!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I love Reed Buntings coming to my table! We've had a regular four visiting recently!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Goldfinch in the snow...</i></span></div>
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<b>Top Tip..... </b><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Leave seed heads on your perennial plants </i></span><i style="color: blue;">such as Rudbeckia and Verbena as the finches </i><i style="color: blue;">love them, especially the Goldfinches that spend </i><i style="color: blue;">hours teasing out the seeds that are a valuable winter food source for them!The plants can be pruned back in Spring before the new shoots come...</i></div>
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Well that's about it for another post. Lets hope that we can start talking about some proper gardening projects and better weather again very soon! Next time we'll look at placing bird boxes as we will be getting to the time of year when we need to make them ready for the nesting season in spring! I'm sure there will be much more to talk about also!<br />
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Before I leave you I want to re-introduce Cottage Gardener (CG) again! He is still working his large half acre plot and has lots of plans to make improvements and to encourage more wildlife into the garden which is always a good thing! I think that he also plans on adding more details about his plans on his blog, which should be an interesting read! So if like me you find the lack of gardening weather frustrating this could be another garden worth following as time goes on! If you fancy taking a look for yourself you can view his 'Cottage gardening' blog here.. <a href="http://cottagegardening.blogspot.co.uk/">http://cottagegardening.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br />
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Amazingly CG has told me that he was inspired to start his garden project and blog after reading my blog here! This is fantastic and if I've only inspired one person to garden for wildlife then it makes it all worth it!! With this in mind I always love your feed back about both the blog and my garden so please do feel free to keep the comments coming and make suggestions, I always read them and answer every one!...<br />
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I'll say bye for now and see you next time!<br />
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Best<br />
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Higgy<br />
<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-35930125517801409142012-12-31T05:16:00.002-08:002012-12-31T11:28:36.113-08:00Planting Native Trees for WildlifeHi All,<br />
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This will be my last post of 2012 and it's a real shame that I can't say what great weather it is and what a hectic time I've had in the garden! The truth of the matter is that it still continues to rain and all hope of gardening has been quite literally washed away! The garden continues to be boggy and at times covered with a layer of standing water which makes all plans redundant!<br />
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As work has been non existent I thought I'd tell you about some native trees that I have been fortunate to purchase recently, and the benefits that they will offer to wildlife.<br />
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Unfortunately having spent the last couple of years trying to get the hedgerows in the garden into some kind of usable state for wildlife we have suffered on both sides of the garden with large parts of it being removed this year! As the trees and bushes in question weren't on my side of the boundary there was little I could do to prevent this happening. This was a real shame as some of the removed bushes and trees were laden with berries and I'd been looking forward to seeing what feathered visitors arrived over the course of this winter. The other negative for my family is the lack of privacy that the removal of these plants has caused (as shown below)<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>In this picture you can see that we are left with a simple wire fence and no cover for the birds and other wildlife. The two shrubs with labels on are a Guelder Rose and an Alder Buckthorn, both of which will grow into large shrubs/small trees and can be formed into a 'loose' hedge for wildlife.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Where the neighbours shed is now clearly visible, I have planted a Crab Apple to give height and fruit for birds. I have also included another Alder Buckthorn here and an evergreen honeysuckle, which will be trained along the bamboo framework. In time this should mingle in amongst the other shrubs to create privacy and another source of berries for wintering birds and summer nectar for pollinators.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"> Elder is a useful small tree for an informal and native wildlife hedge and I have planted several on both boundaries of the garden. The berries are loved by birds and the flowers can be used for making wine and cordials so something to keep everyone happy! </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">(A word of warning though is that the berries can be toxic to dogs if eaten in large quantities so please be aware if planting in your garden!)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Another tree to keep everyone happy is the Hazel, which if kept hard pruned every other year should give a good supply of Hazel Nuts! More importantly another great wildlife tree to include in your native hedge or as a small tree. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">(A consideration here is that Grey Squirrels will be attracted to the supply of nuts)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Note that I have tagged all my bare root trees and shrubs. I have done this as they currently don't look like much more than a stray sapling growing</i></span> <i><span style="color: blue;">and the tags will hopefully prevent me and more importantly anyone else from pulling it out before they grow up into a decent sized plant!!!</span></i></div>
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So before telling you about my bigger trees planted in the field, here's a quick run down of the plants mentioned above and planted in my hedge rows so far...</div>
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<u>Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)</u>, Grows up to 1.5m tall to form a small tree/large shrub, Small white flowers benefit pollinators, it has green leaves that turn red in Autumn and the winter berries are loved by Bull Finches & Mistle Thrushes amongst other berry eating birds.</div>
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<u>Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula),</u> Can grow 4m x 4m at full maturity but is good for creating an informal hedge. Glossy green leaves turn yellow in Autumn, the red berries that turn black will be eaten by some birds. Most importantly Buckthorns are the <u>ONLY</u> food plant source for the Brimstone Butterfly so we must try and get more people growing it in their gardens!!</div>
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<u>Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)</u> Smallish Tree with pretty pink or white flowers in Spring that are loved by pollinators and are especially attractive to bees. The Crab Apple is actually known to home over 90 species of insect! The fruits in the Autumn are loved by many birds but are particularly attractive to Robins, Starlings, Finches and Thrushes. </div>
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<u>Elderberry (Sambuccus Nigra)</u> A really underrated small tree in my book, It can grow up to 10m but can be kept smaller and useful in an informal hedge, pinky/white flowers in June-July have a scent and are visited by pollinators, followed by black berries that are loved by many birds and will also be eaten by some small mammals such as wood mouse etc.</div>
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<u>Hazel (Corylus avellana)</u> Small Tree or Shrub that benefits from being coppiced but extremely useful either in a hedge or a small tree in a small garden. Hazelnuts will be taken by all manner of wildlife including Squirrels and Mice. Woodpeckers can be attracted to this tree as will Jays and Jackdaws who find the nuts irresistible! </div>
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So that's a quick run down on my hedging now lets look at the three native trees that I have planted in the field at the bottom of my garden.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Wild Cherry planted as an 8foot bare root sapling in the field at the bottom of the garden.</i></span></div>
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<u>Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)</u> A medium sized tree that will grow up to 20m, white flowers in early Spring will be visited by early pollinating insects and the Cherries that appear in summer are a good food source for many bird species. Apparently the cherries also make lovely brandy!!! :-)</div>
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<i style="color: blue;">A Small Leaved Lime planted as an 8foot bare root sapling in the field at the bottom of the garden.</i></div>
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<u>Small Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata)</u> A large tree at 25m with small heart shaped leaves, In summer it produces a mass of sweet smelling flowers that attracts a huge number of pollinating insects looking for nectar. I'm hoping that this tree will be a great attractor of new insect species to my wild flower meadow/lawn. The dense foliage creates safe hiding places for many bird species. Apparently it is said that honey from bees feeding on the Small Leaved Lime tree is the best tasting honey that you can find anywhere! Many years ago this tree was also used for various medicines and teas to treat colds. fevers and inflammation as well as high blood pressure! </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>My Common Alder Sapling, which I'm very excited about...</i></span></div>
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<u>Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa)</u> Now this is a magnificent tree with the potential of growing very large! It is a lover of damp or waterlogged ground so our low lying position should suit it beautifully! Many years ago the Common Alder would have been a common site in this area so having the opportunity to plant one myself is a real thrill. Alder can grow to 30m although are generally smaller than this. They reach maturity at 60 years and will live for 150years! They support a wealth of wildlife including many birds that feed on the catkins produced by this tree. Species commonly found will be Finches, Redpols, Siskin amongst others. The Alder Moth caterpillar feeds on its leaves as does the Alder Kitten Moth caterpillar! I'm hopeful that over the years we will see both of these moths and other species from this and the other trees planted.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>If you are planning to plant bare root trees in your own garden, make sure that you tie them to a good sized wooden stake which is set firmly in the ground. Use a properly designed rubber tie and fasten it near the base of the trunk. This will prevent 'chaffing' of the bark and allow the tree it's natural movement in the wind whilst holding the root system stable.</i></span></div>
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I hope that this post has given you an insight into what I'm still striving to achieve for wildlife in my garden, whilst giving you ideas of plants and their benefits for wildlife that you can take away and use in your own garden?</div>
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To finish off what has been a bit of a disastrous gardening year here are a few pictures of my feathered friends including a first and a new record for the garden making 2012 a very good 'wildlife year' in the garden....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This female Blackcap has been a daily visitor to the garden for quite some time now and is partial to the fat balls and sunflower hearts that I put out for the birds. A male Blackcap has now also started to visit quite regularly although the female will often chase it off!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once again my Reed Buntings have made a very welcome winter return to the bird table and favour the loose mixed bird seed from the table.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Brambling is the first to the garden since the winter of 2010 so a very welcome winter visitor!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> This Siskin is a brand new record for the garden and a great way to celebrate the end of another year of 'Higgy's Garden Project' The arrival of a new species in the garden is so thrilling and makes all the hard work so worth while! </i></span></div>
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So that is about if for 2012! It's a shame that the weather has been unkind to us and we haven't achieved quite as much as we planned at the start of the year. However our wildlife count has gone through the roof with so many new species visiting us, our bird species tally is up to 45 and butterflies to 16 which is amazing! Other insects have found their way to the garden and I look forward to seeing some of the moths and butterflies from the different caterpillars that I've recorded this year!</div>
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The garden has allowed me to continue to develop my passion for wildlife photography and you can see some of the results on my new website that I recently built from scratch here.... <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.northsomersetwildlifeandnaturephotography.com/">http://www.northsomersetwildlifeandnaturephotography.com/</a></span><br />
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Amazingly this blog was also picked up by BBC researchers who are now interested in possibly using the garden in a new 'gardening for wildlife' program set to be shown in summer 2013! I await to find out if we have been successful, which is very exciting for me and my family and a fantastic reward for what we have been trying to achieve in the garden!!</div>
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My last job of the year is to thank all my readers and followers for staying with me and sending me some great comments and feedback! It's this interaction and feedback that enables me to keep writing and developing both the garden and the blog to make it interesting and I hope informative to you all? Please do keep the comments coming as I'm always so glad to hear from you...</div>
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So I wish you a very <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR</span> and hope to see you all here again in 2013!!?....</div>
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Higgy :-) </div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-60708469843734185262012-12-11T17:18:00.000-08:002012-12-11T17:18:03.497-08:00Somerset Native Wild Flowers & A Big Garden Wash Out!!...Hello All,<br />
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I thought that it was about time that I actually put 'finger to key' and typed an update on what has, or mores the case, hasn't been happening in Higgy's garden!<br />
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Well to be honest There isn't very much to say, the wet weather has really put a stop to any sensible gardening as our low lying garden has been extremely 'squelchy' to say the least! In fact we have had days when the garden has sat pretty much underwater with only my (not so dry) dry riverbed preventing the rest of the garden from flooding as you can see below!...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>At about 2 feet deep you can see how my dry river bed became a reservoir with all the water from the garden running into it and draining away! The shear 'wetness' of the garden generally has brought gardening to a stop this year! </i></span></div>
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With the garden so wet any thoughts of further projects become impossible! In some ways the wet weather preventing me from getting out hasn't necessarily come at a bad time, as my health hasn't been very good over the last couple of months and I have been laid up for much of it with a bad back and painful hips!<br />
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Despite the treacherous wet weather and health issues I have still been secretly planning a few things in my mind and will hopefully share these plans with you over the winter months.<br />
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Two things that I have been able to do recently is order wild flower seeds for my wild flower meadow and order a few native trees to plant out along the garden's boundary to enhance the hedges and provide food for insects and birds alike!<br />
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So with little else to report this is what I will be trying in 2013...<br />
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<u>Wild Flowers </u><br />
As last year I will be sowing seeds direct into my meadow and also growing some as plug plants to be planted out in Spring. I have again generally gone for seeds that are native to Somerset or at least the South West where possible. Below is my latest list of seeds that I have ordered from my same supplier as last year Emorsgate Seeds <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/</span> I have listed the common name with a link to Emorsgate description of each plant and finally its area of origin...<br />
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<i>Common Spotted Orchid <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/43 </span></i><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Small Teasel <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/47 </span>(England)</i><br />
<i>Corn Marigold <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/7 </span>(Cornwall)</i><br />
<i>Cat's-ear <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/66 </span></i><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Pheasant's-eye <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/9 </span>(England)</i><br />
<i>Wild Mignonette<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/115 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Bladder Campion </i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/131 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Meadow Crane's-bill <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/58 </span></i><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Yellow Rattle <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/2 </span></i><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Night-Flowering Catchfly <span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/129 </span>(England)</i><br />
<i>Small Scabious </i><i><span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/123 </span>(Hertfordshire)</i><br />
<i>Greater Knapweed<span style="color: blue;"> http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/33 </span>(Dorset)</i><br />
<i>Common Poppy<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/8 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Cornflower<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/6 </span>(Herefordshire)</i><br />
<i>Corncockle<span style="color: blue;"> http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/4 </span>(England)</i><br />
<i>Square-stalked St john's-wort<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/220 </span>(England)</i><br />
<i>Hedge Bedstraw<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/54 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Nettle-leaved Bellflower<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/30 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Lesser Burdock<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/21 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Scarlet Pimpernel<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/14 </i></span><i>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i>Common Knapweed<span style="color: blue;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">http://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/32 </span>(Somerset)</i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>As you will see from the above list the large majority of plants that I have chosen are from Somerset or England generally. However there are a few rogue plants in amongst them, which might at first glance seem strange! There is actually some logic to this as I will try and explain. Common Knapweed grows very well in this part of North Somerset and did extremely well for bees last year, so I've included Greater Knapweed in the hope that it will also do well. Attracting more moths to the garden is something that I'm keen to do also so I have included Night-flowering Catchfly which should provide night time nectar for visiting moths! Corn Marigold is a native to Cornwall but having used it for several years I can honestly say that it is one of my best wild flowers for pollinators and only this year I kept it in flower from May until the first 'heavy' frost which was at the beginning of December! So I suppose the conclusion is that I am trying to keep as native to this region as I can, however there are valid reasons and benefits to certain species by adding a few other things into the mix also, so do your research and obviously be prepared to be a little 'flexible' once you've had a season or two and you start to build a picture of what works for you!<br />
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The only other thing that I have achieved recently is to get my native trees but I won't bore you with more details now and save it for my next post when I've got some pictures of them to post alongside my rambling words!<br />
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Finally I'll leave you with a run down of a few visitors to the garden that have kept me entertained whilst off work with my current injuries....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Great Spotted Woodpecker is a fairly regular visitor to the garden now. I have also had a couple of visits from a Green Woodpecker although it generally sits in the large Oak tree at the bottom of the garden and out of range for a decent picture!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>In November I found several 'Ruby Tiger Moth' caterpillars in amongst the long grass of the wild flower meadow. Having not seen one of these moths before I'm extremely excited to see what other types of species we get in the garden next summer!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>My Blackcap pair have continued to visit and seem at home on the fat balls or generally hanging out in the bushes and hedges in the garden!</i></span> </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It has to be said that it has to be everyone's favourite, the Robin and they never fail to disappoint. This little chap follows anyone who ventures out into the garden (including the dog!) and has also taken to sitting on top of some trellis by the kitchen window so that he can stare in at you as if asking for some food!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Finally some kind of mosquito or gnat which was sat warming itself up in the sun. At only a few millimetres long impossible to ID with the naked eye so I took a quick snap. Unfortunately despite a reasonable picture I still don't have an ID for it! Please feel free to ID this one for me if you can!!?</i></span></div>
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Well that's about it for now, lets hope that the weather starts to improve and gives us some decent periods of dry weather to dry the ground out a bit and let us get out into the garden again! I'm really not sure how plants will do with all the wet around their roots and I'm sure next summer will be interesting seeing what has survived what hasn't and if anything has actually thrived from all the wet!?</div>
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Next time I will give you a detailed look at my Native trees and my reasons for the species I picked and how they will benefit wildlife in the garden.</div>
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As always a huge thank you for reading and following my ramblings! Please do leave comments and feedback as they really help me develop this blog and hopefully make it an interesting read for all to enjoy!?</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-69019446369404648572012-11-01T20:22:00.000-07:002012-11-01T20:22:13.693-07:00Build a Simple Bird Box....Hello All,<br />
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Unfortunately the weather still hasn't improved and any thoughts of gardening have been dismissed due to the completely water logged conditions here. The fields to the rear of my garden have been under water many times this year but have been submerged completely for the last two weeks now!! Health wise I have been suffering with my hip and back again so in some ways the boggy conditions have probably been at the right time to allow me the rest and relaxation that I'm not usually very good at!!!<br />
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Despite being house bound my mind tends to be on the garden and of course the wildlife that I have now become so accustomed to seeing in the garden. The birds have been absent for some time as they have been going through the Autumn moult and of course the wet ground makes worming so much easier for them! For a second year the hedges are laden with berries so unless we get a real cold snap I expect numbers to be 'reserved' again! Having said this I have noticed a slight increase on the feeders so it pays to keep them topped up with fresh grub so they know that a ready supply is always available in 'Higgy's' garden!!<br />
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Thinking of the birds made me realise that now is the perfect time to be making and cleaning bird boxes. Getting clean boxes in place now gives prospective 'tenants' the opportunity to picking the right box ready for the Spring breeding season. If we do happen to get a harsh winter the boxes also serve as a warm place for birds to roost, it isn't unusual for several birds such as bluetits to sleep in the same box huddled together to reserve heat and get through an icy night or two!<br />
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So with the above in mind I've dug out my old bird box plan and thought that I'd share it on here for anyone who is interested in making their own simple bird box....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The first thing to think about is the type of wood that you need to use. I favour rough cut and untreated wood as the roughness will help chicks climb out when they fledge and being untreated there is no chance of any nasty chemicals leaching out and harming the birds who will peck at the box to mark their territory and make themselves at home!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The picture above shows the the wood required for this simple box. Generally I find 15mm-20mm thick wood about the right thickness as it makes a box that is sturdy but not to heavy. Please see below for my size guide....</i></span></div>
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<li> Back Panel - 120mm wide x 250mm high</li>
<li>Side Panels - 120mm wide x 250mm high at rear cut at an angle to 200mm at the front</li>
<li>Front Panel - 120mm wide x 200mm high</li>
<li>Floor Panel - 120mm x 120mm</li>
<li>Roof Panel - 140mm x 160mm</li>
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<li>To make the box you will need a hammer, water based wood glue, 50mm long nails, galvanised large head roofing tacks, shed felt or preferably 1mm thick rubber pond liner, galvanised wire or hanging fixings and water based wood preserver in your choice of colour.</li>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Now that you have your wood cut and everything that you need, start by fixing together the sides, back and front but include the base at this stage to ensure you get the box nice a square....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I use 50mm long nails to fix the panels together however I also use a thin bead of water based wood glue on each edge to add extra strength. To minimise risk of contact with birds using the box I only use glue on the outer edge which prevents seepage into the inside of the box.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A good tip for this stage of construction is to put the box together using just two nails on each side but don't hammer them all the way in yet as you may need to remove them and adjust if the box isn't quite square!....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once that you have all four sides and the base in place and you are happy that the box is square you can hammer home the nails and add a couple more in each side to add extra strength. At this stage wipe of any excess glue and make sure that there is no residue inside the box.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Next take your roof section and lay it on top of some 1mm thick rubber pond liner or similar waterproof material...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi7A8plApkOrPL3wKGWlRzXXiJpv66nxA8NYfAA_aX3wL7syUo2I5f-txBISqA1MOsa6_FZcsxlKL0Wz3xakjh1UWk-1e2rw-ePnvfASNQ0ZPgzbydgcZ59kqlZhyphenhyphenIMrYb1H2eGJYL-E/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi7A8plApkOrPL3wKGWlRzXXiJpv66nxA8NYfAA_aX3wL7syUo2I5f-txBISqA1MOsa6_FZcsxlKL0Wz3xakjh1UWk-1e2rw-ePnvfASNQ0ZPgzbydgcZ59kqlZhyphenhyphenIMrYb1H2eGJYL-E/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Cut the liner so that you have enough to cover the front and side edges of the lid but leave at least 70mm off the back edge....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSoHCDmPg1r1kiYZik6d_zTO8TKUjv_4Zqo0u8SH5vdbfevsdWmerQ0BSHYwSi77ad6KfA8-n0K_9CDJ78hf53scSlTCvVddQOPrKNQVzCW3mqZ1zpAail3G0d9vbIVTbG_X0SxAHD7E/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSoHCDmPg1r1kiYZik6d_zTO8TKUjv_4Zqo0u8SH5vdbfevsdWmerQ0BSHYwSi77ad6KfA8-n0K_9CDJ78hf53scSlTCvVddQOPrKNQVzCW3mqZ1zpAail3G0d9vbIVTbG_X0SxAHD7E/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Fix the liner in place by pulling it tight over the edges and securing using galvanised roofing tacks. At this stage don't fix the liner over the rear edge.... </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE06PGK8u04KDOv2UvyGHQ06Palf2z5PwII6dHI8B_QVPf35n9JArBax2HQxadk0XilztpzOS6eHmXTXs_3rPKStaX2gIUMDeFUVtZboEVlj3er9fpACxNSxGEDlmfFZbcjTBFj1O_G8/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE06PGK8u04KDOv2UvyGHQ06Palf2z5PwII6dHI8B_QVPf35n9JArBax2HQxadk0XilztpzOS6eHmXTXs_3rPKStaX2gIUMDeFUVtZboEVlj3er9fpACxNSxGEDlmfFZbcjTBFj1O_G8/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: blue;">Pull the liner towrds the back of the lid so that it's tight and secure with tacks along the top face as shown below. You can now trim off the excess liner from the front and side edges so that it is neat....</i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj7EGpC_PCyVcM5clAmMFghM0YZHDj_6i1NmEnS3edSaS5BE8B783G9CWCWz7laUUuIJLEKmH1K8SpMSMQqzL86YFfFL5Lu7L2jhoqhbxWWjTdi322C8RLkKjJBM4RsNw-xcj2xqK3eU/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj7EGpC_PCyVcM5clAmMFghM0YZHDj_6i1NmEnS3edSaS5BE8B783G9CWCWz7laUUuIJLEKmH1K8SpMSMQqzL86YFfFL5Lu7L2jhoqhbxWWjTdi322C8RLkKjJBM4RsNw-xcj2xqK3eU/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Place the lid on top of the box so that there is an small even overhang on the front and sides and fix it to the box by tacking the loose piece of liner to the rear of the box. This will hold it in place and act as a hinge when opening the box. In the picture below you will notice that I have actually used two pieces of Rubber to add extra strength....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAMZj8hE507E36VAM9_id5PoZXymgQKPxSZ5hLnUaSABUapT7eaQFhL0uOqiyPI_BDcxHSbglP9TbI7ckKzZDtVAAIs1HnQ4V7L4EWlNoj_aAFPsvyFohbGUv35e5YCEhiqImjGG68HY/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAMZj8hE507E36VAM9_id5PoZXymgQKPxSZ5hLnUaSABUapT7eaQFhL0uOqiyPI_BDcxHSbglP9TbI7ckKzZDtVAAIs1HnQ4V7L4EWlNoj_aAFPsvyFohbGUv35e5YCEhiqImjGG68HY/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Finally tip the box upside down and drill a couple of drainage holes in the bottom to keep it dry!</i></span></div>
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<b><i>Hole Sizes....</i></b></div>
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It is your choice if you choose to drill the hole at this stage or prior to the box construction. There are however a few things to consider before reaching for the drill. To prevent predators such as cats and squirrels reaching in and 'hooking' out chicks the hole must be a minimum of 125mm from the base of the box. Your next consideration is what type of bird you actually want to attract to the box as different species prefer certain hole sizes! To help you decide I have included a list of species to hole size....</div>
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<ul>
<li>Blue Tit - 25mm</li>
<li>Marsh Tit - 25mm</li>
<li>Great Tit - 28mm</li>
<li>House Sparrow - 32mm</li>
<li>Tree Sparrow - 28mm </li>
<li>Coal Tit - 25mm</li>
<li>Starling - 45mm</li>
<li>Pied Flycatcher - 28mm</li>
<li>Nuthatch - 32mm</li>
<li>Redstart - 32mm</li>
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Once your hole is drilled it's worth just slightly 'roughening' inside the box just below the hole as this will give young birds something to help them grip and get up to the hole.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>And that's the construction finished!...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqvmXJc1ecC6Wgi73yoPOL4FHkTBERN9OSVt7XJ71z4X0GhkD1IZ5GbNpm7LMfbYYAnkwfIhUT3TVYU4Q59kqIqL8KiTAdntFKH2Nb7ijllv2-AyS4T57j9Inp-2OzjhKVO-dByde1Go/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqvmXJc1ecC6Wgi73yoPOL4FHkTBERN9OSVt7XJ71z4X0GhkD1IZ5GbNpm7LMfbYYAnkwfIhUT3TVYU4Q59kqIqL8KiTAdntFKH2Nb7ijllv2-AyS4T57j9Inp-2OzjhKVO-dByde1Go/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" width="245" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Now just choose your colour! Note that I have left the inside of the hole unpainted as although using water based paint I know that occupying birds will generally peck around the hole so I like to make sure that there is as little opportunity as possible for them to come into contact with it.....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>You will also need to consider how you fix your box up but this will depend on what you are actually hanging it on. I don't have space to show different fixings but generally I use the galvanised wire and a couple of screws and then adapt it to whatever surface I'm securing it to. You might also want to consider a hook on each side to hold the lid down and prevent squirrels from opening it up to get at the eggs or chicks. Once again there are several options from home made with wire and a screw, to shop bought hooks & eyes, the choice is yours!!...</i></span></div>
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<b><i>Locating Your Bird Box....</i></b></div>
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For the best results generally facing your box in a North-east direction seems to be the most favourable position, however more importantly you want it sited where it is out of direct sunlight and sheltered from prevailing winds and rain. Also consider how easy the location is for a predator to access the box? Putting the box between 2mtrs & 5mtrs high and away from climbable structures will keep it's occupants safe from harm. Generally boxes potentially used by the same species should be situated a reasonable distance away from each other to avoid territory deputes. Distance between boxes used by different species such as Blue Tit and House Sparrows for example isn't so crucial, so if you are limited for space and want more than one box erect boxes for different species where possible. It is a good idea to avoid situating a box near a feeding station as the constant disruption of other birds feeding is likely to prevent the box from being used.</div>
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Well that's about it for now folks! I hope that this has inspired you to consider your feathered visitors this winter and of course provide a place for you to enjoy them coming and going also! Sited in the right location and viewable from inside the house can be a thrill when you realise the box is occupied and all your hard work has paid off!....</div>
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Please do send me your comments and questions as I will always answer any correspondence that I receive!</div>
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Cheers</div>
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Higgy </div>
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Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-35660779732121838142012-10-07T18:05:00.002-07:002012-10-08T11:06:35.825-07:00Jungle Seating Area, New Species Success & Late Season Pollinators...oh and more Rain!!Wow, what a dreadful summer we've had weather wise! I have never seen so much rain as we have had this year and to think that we were in drought back in spring!! I suppose the wet weather does focus your mind on the handful of jobs that can still be done in the garden doesn't it!?<br />
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As regular readers will already be aware we are situated on the edge of 'Wetland Grazing Marsh' which is 'boggy' at the best of times!! This summer has been a challenge as even on dry days the ground is still saturated, simply walking across the lawn is met with a 'squelch' and sight of water as the ground releases it like a sponge!<br />
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I honestly wondered and doubted how my wild flower lawn and perennial pollinator borders would survive being stood in constant wet soil but much to my surprise they seem to have done really well. I have tried to be a little more considerate in my planting by ensuring new plants have a good layer grit in the bottom of the planting hole to offer a little help with drainage round the roots. This year I have also done a little more plant maintenance and dead-heading, which appears to have really helped and combined with the wet seems to have made strong healthy plants. One example of this are my Corn Marigolds which are corn field annuals but I have managed to keep them in flower since May. This has had a knock on effect of lots of visiting pollinators including several new species which I will cover in more detail later on!<br />
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So before we talk about the wild life I'm going to take you back to a job I finished a while ago and have been promising to show for some time! With the wet weather and lack of hard landscaping recently this seems the ideal time to show you the conclusion to the 'jungly' path at the side of the Koi pond....<br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">In case you've forgotten this is the area before the 'jungle path' project began!!...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk6EuZxkxBbusrilh1kHFpgCVCxTe3JSeU8y3DvhU1yIOSqvv3xgdELFjIpDCPL05WvRlb87Ms2ni7BG9qgb-lfX5ho4_UCLO1ncG5u8Z_iQWXJ0ao7DH2Jmq47LLkWUz7SxND0c9bVM/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk6EuZxkxBbusrilh1kHFpgCVCxTe3JSeU8y3DvhU1yIOSqvv3xgdELFjIpDCPL05WvRlb87Ms2ni7BG9qgb-lfX5ho4_UCLO1ncG5u8Z_iQWXJ0ao7DH2Jmq47LLkWUz7SxND0c9bVM/s320/DSC_0097.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once the raised beds & path were built (as covered elsewhere) I was left with this area next to the raised decking and water butts....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAubekGI3asIKpZDmm2pa4WsAwTbPyMUOyfDYxxQHsFWg8dT3XJOxGMcoqbCr_YPvVuGyVztL53j_mS5ZEovZtvzDUvkOz0g6JqJEE3bkGKXDqO03C8gYBJmy4M-ZZrbb-HjrbxWjJsFQ/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAubekGI3asIKpZDmm2pa4WsAwTbPyMUOyfDYxxQHsFWg8dT3XJOxGMcoqbCr_YPvVuGyVztL53j_mS5ZEovZtvzDUvkOz0g6JqJEE3bkGKXDqO03C8gYBJmy4M-ZZrbb-HjrbxWjJsFQ/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Having decided on a small decked seating area I laid down weed membrane and built a frame for the deck to sit on. Due to the persistent wet weather I actually constructed the framework in my workshop..... and then wondered if I could get it out through the door-way!!!?...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBV5cVXML2lNbfk_bkNGuLQAAexGxaXekHEuEnUgEtfHKGHkJo1jlVoWb9ER8rVK7dKV7Y73E59ejr_Kqk58hqIJr8-9Y_OxqMTm9HPz3Lw7RGHwnL0-R-i3-vE6ZvAil0x6v2mfI4dg/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBV5cVXML2lNbfk_bkNGuLQAAexGxaXekHEuEnUgEtfHKGHkJo1jlVoWb9ER8rVK7dKV7Y73E59ejr_Kqk58hqIJr8-9Y_OxqMTm9HPz3Lw7RGHwnL0-R-i3-vE6ZvAil0x6v2mfI4dg/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Luckily my measurements were spot on and it came out through the door with a couple of millimetres to spare! The frame was laid in position and I levelled it using blocks under each section of frame...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmmeJ0jvSCIjAQZ8kSBxH3UqhgM0z5KzSig8UZQpqC-GUzqjZGrFI2gDaDD0GYMK9__lJK11nkgCfxC3Ghnbx3vZhnOKVxkA3PB6ng_uKVeVzHjgzatZV0Sk_GzvTKcLZfrR4bwv5d2k/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmmeJ0jvSCIjAQZ8kSBxH3UqhgM0z5KzSig8UZQpqC-GUzqjZGrFI2gDaDD0GYMK9__lJK11nkgCfxC3Ghnbx3vZhnOKVxkA3PB6ng_uKVeVzHjgzatZV0Sk_GzvTKcLZfrR4bwv5d2k/s320/DSC_0083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i> As you will see from the above picture there is a raised drain cover at a difficult angle which needed to be factored into my workings. Once the frame was in place boards were laid on top and screwed into place (below). I chose 'basic' rough cut wood rather than decking boards as I felt it fitted in better with the 'jungly' look I hope to achieve here....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmZsOSE6S0HDuNB8-7grjYfHGrPlkYbJILPv4lq8vI6ushjR4JAQjecu332KKbYQfA3LWu0htLcf9KgrKS0cIHL6-OFQnEvM7aoJTK2tSBV9mCCe5-OkBOjnfUph729ky-cATlP5ZJjI/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmZsOSE6S0HDuNB8-7grjYfHGrPlkYbJILPv4lq8vI6ushjR4JAQjecu332KKbYQfA3LWu0htLcf9KgrKS0cIHL6-OFQnEvM7aoJTK2tSBV9mCCe5-OkBOjnfUph729ky-cATlP5ZJjI/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>With the boards fixed in pace I trimmed the edges and built a 'trap door' to fit neatly into the recess. This gives instant access to the drain if required and I chose to run the boards in a different direction to make it a feature rather than trying to hide it....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCAX1TR1KKpPlPIPLHBNoNLlLCUXST2Fjh4f01Wzu4oxJ7BMdG1QlkiegetLGfAx4rvHZDJxBofpcEXWpb1CLFQ_Vp0ujfLqc-Xpg6t35ZnHXE0UfpYGDwFUYTserKjQsSesZGgJIAQg/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCAX1TR1KKpPlPIPLHBNoNLlLCUXST2Fjh4f01Wzu4oxJ7BMdG1QlkiegetLGfAx4rvHZDJxBofpcEXWpb1CLFQ_Vp0ujfLqc-Xpg6t35ZnHXE0UfpYGDwFUYTserKjQsSesZGgJIAQg/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>To finish off I built two raised beds from the same material and planted with ferns which should grow quite big and do well in the shady situation here....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgraunnYzPdVZ_-DavolBRK6IhnklYARDeCG8Fj-1vEXtrdYWAJHyUd9GxSlDm8QVzGXO5DY3AFr8Fdr3ObVcHruwuVkmQIo_LWwK6t_mNDA8yGcjiB9huBDnPEmdoUQaLNfnBDgjcc20/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgraunnYzPdVZ_-DavolBRK6IhnklYARDeCG8Fj-1vEXtrdYWAJHyUd9GxSlDm8QVzGXO5DY3AFr8Fdr3ObVcHruwuVkmQIo_LWwK6t_mNDA8yGcjiB9huBDnPEmdoUQaLNfnBDgjcc20/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Finally the end result and how this area looked this summer. Unfortunately the damp weather has prevented some of the more 'tropical' type plants such as the banana and Cannas from reaching their full potential. You will see that I also add flowering plants in my 'jungle/tropical' areas to help attract the pollinators throughout the whole garden, which is something I always strive to do....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhPbVkCxAaNjkvzWcypsaLw3T2__GeKtmU-sUk5WUNkuNp8V2nLiSwfOIOxM5UJ99Y4kaiLZrthBR2aT1jZ1DlWzrNXAuh0Q-0qSGLfdLmIcvSoxdVP5POYVarK5uDyTpzaV773bp-kg/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhPbVkCxAaNjkvzWcypsaLw3T2__GeKtmU-sUk5WUNkuNp8V2nLiSwfOIOxM5UJ99Y4kaiLZrthBR2aT1jZ1DlWzrNXAuh0Q-0qSGLfdLmIcvSoxdVP5POYVarK5uDyTpzaV773bp-kg/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I hope that you will agree this part of the garden has taken on a massive transformation and is now a usable space rather than a dumping ground as it was before?</div>
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Without further ado here is this months wildlife successes in Higgy's garden...</div>
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BIRDS</div>
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A pair of Goldcrests put in an appearance last week and seemed to be 'sussing' out the feeding area. As is always the way I spotted them from an upstairs bedroom window and my camera was downstairs so no picture for the record which is annoying!!</div>
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BUTTERFLIES</div>
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Despite the wet weather we've recorded a great year for butterflies with both Gatekeepers and Small tortoiseshells showing a massive increase in numbers seen! Peacock butterflies have also shown an upward rise in the garden. Here are pictures of two new visitors since my last post....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Green Veined White</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq08MY9Tdw6EdkSAxUeXDiUevLRw0zLZpE2P5h50R4iutYuFb4hwj07kG8YE-o7UJZwVw8KaororZJQrJGEmk_uTgWL3ptF_5tyzcF3S3SXZDyPwUlt8CJ1CTee9cx7VrpXYndZxwT3M/s1600/Green+Veined+White+-+Artogeia+rapae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq08MY9Tdw6EdkSAxUeXDiUevLRw0zLZpE2P5h50R4iutYuFb4hwj07kG8YE-o7UJZwVw8KaororZJQrJGEmk_uTgWL3ptF_5tyzcF3S3SXZDyPwUlt8CJ1CTee9cx7VrpXYndZxwT3M/s320/Green+Veined+White+-+Artogeia+rapae.JPG" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Small Copper</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQKmIoOf-HbLFs8FPtiYhyUppmEfMwTEHr0SH-m216K4IIYLbAWBdAJpWvLlk7aGmoSUYRe6EV-6HsR4lX-Ut3TWSVDBeDjSCPsxwy4xxrNsFznzpYBwWKRVv3qZ8ZA53qnBgOXiIjZI/s1600/Small+Copper+-+Lycaena+Phlaeas+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQKmIoOf-HbLFs8FPtiYhyUppmEfMwTEHr0SH-m216K4IIYLbAWBdAJpWvLlk7aGmoSUYRe6EV-6HsR4lX-Ut3TWSVDBeDjSCPsxwy4xxrNsFznzpYBwWKRVv3qZ8ZA53qnBgOXiIjZI/s320/Small+Copper+-+Lycaena+Phlaeas+(2).JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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I've not really recorded moths before so this is a new venture for me and is proving extremely interesting. I have already started to include some 'moth friendly' pollinating plants in the garden but this is something I look forward to studying and reporting in more detail as time goes by....</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>A couple of recent moths...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Siver Y moth seems extremely common in the garden. In this picture you can clearly see the 'Y' shape on it's upper wing which gives it its name...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE33JWtqplbspPmhXiUK6SjnDezH90NlB7XO6XZe24JVsJHKTng-P03vmmWx0j9b1_Myk5noHMPOSvu3P8lg9obxHtjl-gIYD92fntjH_dzKhsv9gnXSBSqv8nS8xiNDuCI56DGpXRIeM/s1600/Silver+Y+Moth+-+Autographa+Gamma+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE33JWtqplbspPmhXiUK6SjnDezH90NlB7XO6XZe24JVsJHKTng-P03vmmWx0j9b1_Myk5noHMPOSvu3P8lg9obxHtjl-gIYD92fntjH_dzKhsv9gnXSBSqv8nS8xiNDuCI56DGpXRIeM/s320/Silver+Y+Moth+-+Autographa+Gamma+(2).JPG" width="279" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>This was a very interesting find as it was initially identified as a 'Blue Underwing' which is extremely rare! Unfortunately it is now thought to be the more common 'Red Underwing'...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE68gw9jxaCUL87CVbHHPsftDPuecOh8yCi_okzKm77R-ebSXTnQlYe2v5Ixm7QQN6cjPE60MK_ZpptlllPqbM73kgTWRspxlj7-Z8jAoKNodLl4VowknB0LpQZNaSvRaxhKPWLuUeXqg/s1600/Underwing+Moth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE68gw9jxaCUL87CVbHHPsftDPuecOh8yCi_okzKm77R-ebSXTnQlYe2v5Ixm7QQN6cjPE60MK_ZpptlllPqbM73kgTWRspxlj7-Z8jAoKNodLl4VowknB0LpQZNaSvRaxhKPWLuUeXqg/s320/Underwing+Moth.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">This pretty little moth is a 'Gold Spot' seen here on purple Toadflax which has proven itself to be the most visited plant by pollinators in the garden!!...</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBSVjjntp41gvrdcmzllmWopx5LKX3dppZknxGi1dmSfttSEVd7Gu24T4RNUltDqd73jVVn4MAGpGJNafj0wJVDYAKS-cfnGDViHFG41_oDAgfYa7ngtlEWnWqX-UiK4cr-GSRTqDbzc/s1600/Gold+Spot+-+Plusia+Festucae+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBSVjjntp41gvrdcmzllmWopx5LKX3dppZknxGi1dmSfttSEVd7Gu24T4RNUltDqd73jVVn4MAGpGJNafj0wJVDYAKS-cfnGDViHFG41_oDAgfYa7ngtlEWnWqX-UiK4cr-GSRTqDbzc/s320/Gold+Spot+-+Plusia+Festucae+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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OTHER WILDLIFE</div>
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My hedgehog has put in an appearance again which is great as I desperately need help with the ever increasing number of slugs! The next door neighbour had a slow worm in his garden, it was only a few feet away from where my log pile so I hope that it is living amongst the logs! This year seems to have been extremely good for Dragonflies and we've had several species in the garden recently.</div>
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There have been a few other identifiable new visitors and I will leave you with a look at a few which have taken advantage of my late season pollinating plants. I'll name the plants to give a guide as to what I plant for late season pollinators etc...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>GOLDEN ROD - currently covered in bees & hoverflies...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0K-lUEmRdQtCmsp-xb3i2zk9P3lzo8XlES9sYHK8sSdF6FkZtZE9AWJaFA9gxPdsw-D2ZkH_7U1QN6VztATdNSTCoNp0T8TB9_R9UWyIKdYaZoj5U3aSbBb0zYRxn9yIu9P9oZwbR_U/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0K-lUEmRdQtCmsp-xb3i2zk9P3lzo8XlES9sYHK8sSdF6FkZtZE9AWJaFA9gxPdsw-D2ZkH_7U1QN6VztATdNSTCoNp0T8TB9_R9UWyIKdYaZoj5U3aSbBb0zYRxn9yIu9P9oZwbR_U/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>ASTER - make a colourful addition to the late border and again attract all pollinators...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>COSMOS - an annual that I grow in my wildflower area, despite not being a true wild flower it's loved by bees, flies and butterflies and will flower all summer until the first frosts so long as you keep deadheading it....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>CORN MARIGOLDS - These are my number one wild flowers and this year dead heading has kept them in flower since May! I now also plant clumps in my 'tropical' borders as they are such good attractors!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>PERISCARIA - Basically a cultivated wild flower which is well visited by honey bees in my garden and moths at night! Below is Periscaria being 'munched' by a 'Knot Grass Caterpillar' These hungry caterpillars will strip a plant so you will need to decide if to remove or leave!??....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>JAPANESE ANEMONE - Late and long flowering, a useful plant for colour and it will get visited by pollinators although not as prolific as others mentioned...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>LARGE LEAFED PLANTS - worthy of a mention as at this time of year all pollinators will sit for several minutes in the sun to warm up. The large leaves are a natural radiator of the suns rays and an ideal place for all sorts of pollinators to warm up! Here a Comma butterfly is warming itself sat on a large leaf...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>VERBENA BONARIS - Probably one of the best known bee & butterfly plants and rightly so! It flowers for a long period and late into the season. It is also loved by all pollinators. Below shows a Small White feeding on it.....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>RUDBEKIA - is bright, colourful and long flowering for all pollinators, seen here with a Small Copper...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>HELENIUMS - One of the best late flowering perennials, they came in all sizes and varied colours creating a nice clump of nectar rich flowers. Gate Keeper butterflies seem to find them irresistible as shown here...</i></span></div>
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Well that's about it now folks, I hope that you've enjoyed reading this post and it's helped to brighten up another dull and wet day!! Now is a really good time to get any of the above pollinating perennial plants in the ground whilst there is still a little warmth in it. By planting now you will actually be providing nice strong and healthy plants for the pollinators in your garden this time next year! For any further planting ideas, or suggestions of different plants please feel free to send me a message or leave a comment. I reply to all messages and comments and use them to gauge interest in the posts I write....</div>
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I have no idea what I will be posting about next time as the weather has stopped a lot of my planned projects in the garden this summer! Please do watch this space and I will update you anything that happens in the garden between now and then!!!....</div>
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Many thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings</div>
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Cheers</div>
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Higgy</div>
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069088773993654291.post-39965306228267898802012-08-30T16:27:00.000-07:002012-08-30T16:27:01.038-07:00My top plant supplier... Middlecombe Nursery!Following a few enquiries asking where I get my plants from, I wanted to write a quick post about my main nursery who are really top notch and more than worth a mention on here!<br />
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Although I buy plants from a few different places and propagate what I can myself, 90% of my plants are bought from Middlecombe Nursery, which is located on the Wrington Road in the village of Congresbury, North Somerset.<br />
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<a href="http://www.middlecombenursery.co.uk/nursery/perennials.html">http://www.middlecombenursery.co.uk/nursery/perennials.html</a><br />
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The nursery is what I would class as a real old fashioned plantsman's nursery with the plants being second to none! The quality and variety of plants is fantastic and I often find a few unusual and more interesting plants here than I would in the nearby large garden centres. At at least half the price of these major chain garden centres the plants give you so much better value and the quality often gives me the opportunity to divide and make two! My thoughts are that if I'm going to buy plants then that's what I want, not greeting cards, clothes and all other manner of items, just top quality plants!<br />
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Click on the link above to see for yourself or visit if you are in the North Somerset area and take a stroll around the lovely landscaped display gardens.<br />
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Here are a few of my favourite purchases from Middlecombe...<br />
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<i style="color: blue;"><b>Helenium</b> is o</i><span style="color: blue;"><i>ne of my best late summer flowers for pollinators....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Japanese Anemones</b> again offer late season colour and I've purchased just about every shade of pink and white in singles and doubles from Middlecombe....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I've used a vast amount of <b>Irises</b> in the garden particularly around the dry river bed feature. Middlecombe stock a great range of <b>Irises</b> and recently I purchased about 10 large plants from them for £1 each as they were unknown colours! That's what I call a bargain!!!...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I bought my first <b>Darmera Peltata</b> from Middlecombe not really knowing what it was...WOW!! I now have several and in fact bought another from there today to go near the revised dry river bed...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Once again a Middlecombe purchase introduced me to the wonderful family of <b>Astrantias</b> and they are now among my favourite summer flowers for pollinators....</i></span></div>
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I hope that this has answered your questions and given you an idea of where I get my plants and what I look for in both the plants and the nurseries I use. I am fortunate to have Middlecombe close enough to travel to, if you can get there then I would say don't hesitate. If however you live in another part of the country or even another country altogether as I know some of my regular readers do, find yourself a good nursery who specialise in quality plants not wellie boots and Christmas decorations!....</div>
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Cheers<br />
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Higgy<br />
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<br />Higgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034613695263425820noreply@blogger.com1