Hi, this is Katie from the Wild Bunch.
It’s been another hot and dry summer with wildfires and record-breaking temperatures across many continents. You’d think this would surely persuade even hardened climate sceptics that climate change is very real and is going to have huge impacts on life on our planet. We can only hope that governments across the globe start to take the situation seriously. But this is a column about wildlife gardening. What can we do in our own small patches of nature?
Perhaps the first and simplest action is to provide fresh water for wildlife. Whilst the addition of a pond with a shallow area is the best way to provide water, shallow dishes of water (refilled with clean water on a daily basis) can provide much needed drinking water for many creatures. The addition of pebbles on the bottom will allow insects to land safely when accessing the water. Our pollinating insects also require nectar which will be in short supply with so many plants struggling in drought conditions. Judicious watering of specific flowering plants, perhaps using grey water such as water used for washing vegetables, can help flowers to continue to flower.
It is also worth looking to see what plants are still thriving in these conditions. In my garden, the gauras and verbena bonariensis are happily flowering despite the lack of rain, and lavender is another plant that thrives in arid conditions. While some trees are struggling, others seem to be coping and established trees do have a cooling effect on their surroundings. Ground cover and mulches also protect the soil and help it to hold on to any moisture. Natural mulches will be incorporated into the soil by worms and other soil dwelling organisms and act as sponges, absorbing water when the rain does come.
The torrential downpours that we often see in the winter are likely to run off the parched land, possibly causing flooding. Organic matter in and on the surface of the soil can help to hold on to the water. And we also need to consider water storage in our gardens using water butts and tanks. I am currently trying to work out where I can fit more water storage into my garden!
The Wild Bunch is run in partnership with Frome Town Council and Sustainable Frome. You can get involved by joining us for our next gathering on Thursday the 15th October from 1.30 to 3pm at Frome Town Hall, when we’ll be focusing on preparing your garden for winter. Keep an eye on bit.ly/frome-wild-bunch for more information and to book your free place once tickets are live.
