I know it must be winter (though I sleep),
I know it must be winter, for I dream,
I dip my bare feet in the running stream,
And flowers are many, and the grass grows deep.
~Edith Matilda Thomas~
We have all been guilty of neglecting our garden. When it comes 
to finding that perfect house, we all request one with a big garden and then just can’t find the time to use it. It’s such a shame for there’s so much exciting and interesting nature to discover, literally just at your doorstep!
Now is the time to get involved in your garden and here, at Acer Ecology, we’ve come up with lots of new and exciting things that you can do. As winter reveals the bones of your garden, it gives you the opportunity to 
examine its structure and layout to dig new beds and lay paths. Decorate the garden with dogwood stems and willow or white stemmed birch and winter flowering shrubs. Witch hazel and small trees create that beautiful wintry feel!
Welcome a new garden for the new year! The new year is all about making and creating new resolutions, and trying to stick to them! Why not include your garden in these plans? January is a great month to plan for the coming year, you’ll be surprised how much planning you can do for the year with your garden!
- Trimming your hedges can give your garden a great boos
t. - Build nest boxes.
- Put out fresh water for birds.
- Check birdbaths and ponds, and remove ice in cold weather.
- Plan the garden with long-lasting flowers so flowers bloom all year long creating food source all year round for wildlife such as bees and butterflies.
- Put a pond in your garden with shallow sides and create overhanging vegetation for your wildlife to use as shade.
- If you’re cutting wood or you have leftover firewood, leave out sticks in the garden for habitat for amphibians, hedgehogs and beetles and various insects – attracting the insects can help with your soil!
Plants That Attract Bees: 
- Foxglove
- Vipers’ Bugloss
- Birdsfoot trefoil
- Wild marjoram
- Red clover
Any plant with a brightly coloured strong scent will attract bees. When planting your flowers, be sure to use natural forms of slug 
pellets for they can be harmful to the wildlife, including Barn Owls.
Plants That Attract Butterflies:
- Forget-me-not
- Red Campion
- Yarrow
- Purple Loosestrife
- Musk mallow
Useful Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/
http://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/
http://www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/
Acer Ecology is able to provide detailed habitat management plans for a wide variety of situations. For more information on the other Ecology Services we can offer, call us on 029 2065 0331, email us on enquires@acerecology.co.uk or click here for examples of our work.
Remember that it is still possible to undertake a range of ecology surveys during the winter months. Click here to find out more or check out our survey calendar to see when you can start planning your surveys this year.
Or why not attend one of our ecology courses?
