How to provide bushes for nesting birds
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In the spring, birds choose the best locations to build nests, so why not offer them a safe place to settle?
Seed bombs are great fun for children and adults!
Whether it's a plant pot, flowerbed, wild patch in your lawn or an entire meadow, sowing wildflowers in your garden provides vital resources to support a wide range of insects that couldn't otherwise survive in urban or built-up areas.
Throwing, breaking up or digging ‘seed bombs’ (or balls) into areas in your garden that need a little brightening up is a perfect way of spending an afternoon!
You will need:
- Meadow flower seeds or seeds collected from the garden.
- Peat-free compost.
- Water.
- Powdered clay (found in craft shops).
- Mixing bowl.
Creating your seed bomb:
- In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of seeds with 5 cups of compost and 2-3 cups of clay powder (you could use clay soil instead if you have it).
- Slowly mix in water with your hands until everything sticks together.
- Roll the mixture into firm balls.
- Leave the balls to dry in a sunny spot.
- Now for the fun bit! Plant your seed bombs by throwing them at bare parts of the garden and wait to see what pops up!
Top plants to include in your seed bombs:
- Bulbous Buttercup - Ranunculus bulbosus
- Chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile
- Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil - Lotus corniculatus
- Common Knapweed - Centaurea nigra
- Common Spotted-orchid -Dactylorhiza fuchsii
- Lady's bedstraw - Galium verum
- Red Clover - Trifolium pratense
- Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus
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We look after over 90 nature reserves across the county.
More ways you can help bees
How to make a hedge for wildlife
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Hedges provide important shelter and protection for wildlife, particularly nesting birds and hibernating insects.
Help wildlife in the cold
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The colder months can be a tough time for wildlife, food is scarce and hibernators are looking for shelter. That's why we’ve put together our top tips for maintaining your garden for wildlife in autumn and winter. Spoiler – some of our tips can be done…
How to install a water butt
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Water butts lower the risks of local flooding and will reduce water bills by conserving the water you already have. They're great for watering the garden, refilling the pond - or even washing the car!
Smart souvenir shopping
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Bringing a piece of your holiday home is a great way of keeping the memories alive – just make sure it’s wildlife-friendly!
How to help wildlife at school
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Whether feeding the birds, or sowing a wildflower patch, setting up wildlife areas in your school makes for happier, healthier and more creative children.