Delight is foremost in my mind, when I consider what it is for me to be a gardener. The gardener’s delight is a wondrous thing. What it is to notice with a swoop of joy the swallow darting overhead; to glance across to the busy bees thrumming, jostling, gorging on the nectar that has been planted for them; when I notice the cheeky cocked head of my robin friend and I cock mine back in response. I delight in these moments, these noticings. When I notice the butterfly dancing i

It’s been a tough year. It feels a little like our gardens form a metaphor this year for the world outside, for the political upheaval, for the stories of flash floods and forest fires. Outside of the human world and the wider environment, in the microcosm of the garden, communities of plants are also in turmoil. Some are thriving despite another hot and dry summer season. Others, just like many human communities right now, or like many of us as individuals, are facing their

In this deep winter time, when everything outside seems to take a pause, it’s just the perfect time I feel for planning new things. And...

In the unfolding drama of the British wildflower year, the subtle beauty of the Snowdrop is the star that kicks off the show. Right now,...

Autumn is most definitely here, with that seasonal contest between stormy showers and bright, slanting sun. As the weather shakes...

King amongst the insect visitors during no mow may are the dragonflies and damselflies. These insects are voracious predators and a sign tha

It's officially No Mow May and the great news is that even without flowers, long grasses support a whole host of wildlife garden visitors

Permaculture is becoming more of a common term these days and along with it, I’m finding more and more people are aware of forest...

There is one often forgotten, yet very important addition to any wildlife garden and this applies whether the garden is a large and rambling rural idyll, or simply a window box, filled with butterfly plants. This all important addition is a sit spot. Never forget that wildlife gardens aren't just for wildlife. They're for us too. And when we create reasons to spend time amongst the natural networks we’re tending, we find ourselves becoming increasingly embedded into their wo