Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi, I am a full time groundsman and I have been asked to turn over a section of one of my sites to Mother Nature. I have ear-marked a couple of areas but I don't really know what to do with them other than the blindingly obvious, nothing.
The areas concerned will still be in view and I am concerned that they will look a mess and not be recognised for what they are.
Does anyone have any ideas for me please before I spray the areas with Glyphosate and sow some some 'natural' seeds. ( not really in the true spirit imo )

John

Hi jwl

its ALL mother nature, so why do you have to spray glyophosphate?

What is the aim of the area you're trying to create?

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Manda.

Yet Nature is made better by no mean
But Nature makes that mean; so over that art
Which you say adds to Nature, is an art
That Nature makes.

Hi John

That sounds like an interesting project. If the purpose is to encourage the wildlife, you could add piles of rotting wood, a small pond and wildflowers.

Tracey

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Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Michael Pollan

For the best book I've read on Wildlife Gardening, try "No Nettles Required".
(£2.40 on Amazon)
It's written by a scientist who actually studied over several years, the plants and habitats that support most wildlife.
It contains a few shockers:

• native plants aren't actually that good at attracting wildlife
• Nettles are almost useless for butterflies
• commercial insect nest boxes are pretty useless
• The best things to have are trees and ponds

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I came, I saw, I planted