Making a garden for wildlife

For me, there is the good feeling of planting and nurturing and watching something grow and flourish. But even more, it’s about creating habitats where biodiversity can thrive. For now, it’s birds, bees and butterflies, but hopefully we will attract other wildlife in time.

We drove to Fakenham Garden Centre to buy some daffodils and to stock up on suet-filled coconuts for the birds. We also bought a lovely bird bath to replace the one the neighbour’s cat broke. This one has a cute motif of cat faces carved into the stem of the bird bath.

After the garden centre, we decided to go for a walk along the coast, so we headed for nearby Wells-next-the-Sea, which we have not visited before. It is an extremely picturesque town on a river estuary that extends to the ocean. We even came across a brave Scottish lass that was swimming, albeit in a wetsuit.

Went on a ‘wildflower hunt’ using an app that contributes to a national database. Walking around the nearby woodland I spotted: ground ivy, Spanish bluebell, red deadnettle, dandelion, lesser celandine, daisy, white deadnettle, plus two I am still trying to identify.

A strange weather day, with sunshine, clouds, wind and snow intermittently. Spent the day catching up on sustainability newsletters, plus a short stint in the garden. I’ve decided to cease the war on dandelions. After all, they produce pretty yellow flowers that attract pollinators to the garden. It’s lovely to see our young fruit trees starting to bud and blossom.

Blue skies, sunshine and mild weather, so planted out some of the flowers we bought over the weekend. Spotted two bluetits investigating one of our bird boxes on the oak tree; not sure if they chose it as a nest site but will keep an eye out.

Saturday. Spent most of the day in the garden, turning compost and digging weeds. Although the grass remains stubbornly wildflower free, despite a moratorium on mowing, the verge along our 100 m or so roadside fencing is turning out a good variety.

Speaking of here and now, I’m sitting at my desk upstairs that overlooks the back garden. I’m playing the Easy 60s music collection and watching the birds and squirrel at our Pine Tree Hotel. Earlier, a pair of goldfinches and a greater spotted woodpecker visited, and what seemed like a whole family of blue tits was frolicking in the new bird bath. The garden itself is awash with colour and really taking shape.

Went to Baytree of Hilgay garden centre to buy compost and pots. We also found a lovely mimosa tree and lemon tree and bought a small kingfisher ornament for the pond. Spent the afternoon planting bulbs (mainly daffodils) and the mimosa.

As I write, I’m watching a robin hopping around the garden. Being home always feels like being in a rejuvenation space. So much of our happiness is influenced by our immediate surroundings and close relationships.