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Build or buy a compost heap so you can recycle your kitchen and garden waste and save money buy making your own compost. |
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X Don’t use peat based products
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Our natural peat bogs are disappearing at an alarming rate. You can help save these valuable sites by only buying peat-free products. There are plenty of alternatives now available on the market. Alternatively make your own compost from your kitchen and garden waste.
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Any old sticks, logs or planks will do. This will provide shelter for many insects and other creatures.
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X Don’t just set fire to bonfires
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Always check first for creatures such as hedgehogs, before setting fire to bonfires especially if you have been building it for some time.
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Provide shelter for reptiles and amphibians with piles of rocks. It is cool in summer and warm in winter.
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Slugs and snails provide food for birds such as song thrushes. Use wood shavings around your runner bean and other plants. |
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í Create a pond or water feature
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A pond or water feature of any size encourages all kinds of wildlife. |
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X Don’t encourage cats
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Cats are responsible for a large number of garden bird fatalities. If you have a cat then fit a bell on its collar so the birds can hear it coming.
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Birds need feeding all year round and once they get used to feeding in your garden they will come to rely on it. See our large range of feeders and bird food. Go to shop...
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XDon’t feed the birds with wrong foods
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Don’t feed salty foods such as crisps as these can be harmful. Whole peanuts should be avoided between April and September unless in suitable feeders as these will choke young birds.
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Bird boxes are available for many different types of birds. With hedgerows and old barns declining, garden boxes provide valuable homes for the birds.
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X Don’t put bird boxes in the wrong places
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Make sure bird boxes are put out of reach of cats and other pests and are in the correct position for the birds you wish to attract.
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Insect boxes are now available in our shop to encourage many beneficial insects to the garden which helps to control pests and pollinate flowers.
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Insecticides can be harmful to wildlife, pets and humans. instead of using harmful chemicals, encourage natural predators and use companion planting.
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í Collect your rainwater
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Buy a water butt to collect the rain water that comes off your roof so you can water the garden naturally during dry weather.
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X Don’t waste tap water
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During hot weather our reservoirs get very low. Only use a hose when absolutely necessary and don’t leave it on for longer than needed.
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í Leave part of your garden wild
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Leaving even a small wild area in your garden for ‘weeds’ such as stinging nettles can be very beneficial as many of our butterflies rely on them. Other creatures such as hedgehogs will also benefit.
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XDon’t feed hedgehogs bread and milk
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Bread and milk is harmful to hedgehogs. If you want to feed them then tinned dog food is ideal.
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í Plant native species of plants & trees Native species of plants and trees offer the right food and habitat for our native wildlife.
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X Don’t take plants from the wild
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Most of our wild flowers can now be bought from reputable dealers either as plants or seed. Taking from the wild is illegal and will not help declining species.
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í Plant night flowering plants
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Night flowering plants attract many species of moths and therefore are also beneficial to bats.
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X Don’t leave exterior lights on at night
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Light pollution is a problem for nocturnal animals. It also prevents us from appreciating the stars.
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í Put up a bat box
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There are lots of bat boxes on the market or you can make your own. Buy one from our shop...
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X Don’t disturb bats
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Bats are a protected species and you should not disturb them even if they are living in your roof. Think yourself privileged if they have taken up residence in your house.
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í Let weeds grow in your lawn
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Daisies, dandelions and clover encourage bees and birds such as goldfinches eat the seeds. Let your lawn grow longer, this benefits invertebrates and the animals that feed on them.
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X Don’t use weed killer
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Any chemicals you use on your lawn or elsewhere in your garden will harm insects and the animals and birds that feed on them. Learn to enjoy a more ‘natural’ lawn with daisies, clover etc..
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í Keep your feeding areas clean
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Birds can can get food poisoning as well as humans so remember to keep your feeding areas clean.
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X Don’t allow bird food to rot
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If the food for your birds isn’t eaten quickly enough, remember to clear it up before it goes mouldy as this can be harmful to them.
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