v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v 15th May 2025 • The HERALD • Page 57 DOWN THE GARDEN PATH A J GLEESON BUILDING & GROUNDWORK DRIVEWAYS EXTENSIONS BRICKWORK GROUNDWORK BLOCK PAVING Colours & Designs to suit your requirements Local Work Available to View CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION New Forest & Southampton 023 8084 4180 Mobile: 07770 771475 Bramdene, Main Road, Dibden, Southampton RYAN FENCING Quality Fencing & Gates 07769 706516 • 023 8084 1203 www.ryan-fencing.co.uk • Find us on Facebook • All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned • Stump Grinding • Hedges pruned & trimmed • Lawns Laid • Fencing & garden work • Rubbish Clearance • Patios & drives jet-washed • Patios & Drives resurfaced or replaced Registerd Waste Carrier Licence CBDU374716 H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07511 863693 Email: treefellers@gmx.com Telephone Richard 023 8084 9637 | Grass Cutting | Edges Trimmed | Hedge Trimming | PRESSURE WASHING OF DECKS, PATIOS & DRIVES | FENCE & SHEDS PAINTED QuickSmart Garden Services Professional & Reliable is a wonderful reminder of the di erence you’re making. Learning about the di erent species that visit your garden can be fascinating too. I’d recommend recording the wildlife you spot and taking photos, whether it’s bumblebees, butter ies, or birds. is allows you to track your garden’s progress while contributing to science through taking part in conservation campaigns like the Big Butter y Count, which runs from 18th July-10th August. For more expert gardening tips and advice, visit: www.haskins.co.uk Garden Wildlife Week: How to Welcome Nature into Your Garden Ahead of Garden Wildlife Week, which runs from 26th May to 1st June, Haskins’ Garden Centres’ Plant Team Leader, Kathryn Crouch, is o ering simple tips to help people support biodiversity in their outside space. Kathryn says: “Even the smallest outdoor spaces can create critical habitats for wildlife, so it’s important to protect them and help them thrive. You don’t have to do a lot to make a big difference – sometimes the simplest actions can be the most effective.” Bold plant choices for pollinators Choose plants that ower at di erent times of the year to keep your garden buzzing with life. I recommend planting a mix of plants that provide nectar and pollen from early spring right through to winter. Hardy geraniums are excellent ground cover plants that bees love, while salvia ‘Hot Lips’ o ers nectar throughout the summer and is ideal for smaller spaces. Teasel is another great choice; it’s easy to grow and once owering has nished, the seedheads attract gold nches. Foxgloves are brilliant too as their large leaves create perfect hiding spots for invertebrates. For winter nectar, try planting mahonia or winter- owering honeysuckle to support pollinators during colder months. Embrace a little mess When tidying up your garden, don’t be afraid to leave some areas a little wild. Piles of leaves, twigs, or undisturbed corners can become vital shelters for insects and other creatures. Decaying leaves feed the soil while also providing protection for frogs, toads, and stag beetles. By simply keeping a log pile tucked away in a shady corner, you can create a rich habitat for insects and small mammals. I’d recommend you spend less time clearing away every leaf and twig and more time enjoying the wildlife that will ourish as a result. Spend time connecting with your garden I always encourage people to spend 15 minutes in their garden every day. Taking this time to pause, observe, and immerse yourself in nature builds a Kathryn Crouch, Plant Team Leader at Haskins West End deeper appreciation for the life that thrives there. You’ll start to notice small changes, from spotting more bees to discovering new wild owers emerging. Dedicating time outdoors o ers something for all the senses, from the scent of owers to the sound of birdsong and buzzing bees. By taking time to connect with your garden, you’ll naturally become more invested in helping it ourish. Enjoy the journey and support science It’s incredibly rewarding to see the fruits of your labour come to life so take time to observe the changes you make. As a result, you’ll witness your garden blossom while feeling more connected to the surrounding wildlife. Seeing a robin perch on your fence or a frog exploring your pond HYTHE FLOWER CLUB MEETING Hythe Flower Club’s next meeting is on Thursday 12th June. Annual membership is £36 (for 11 meetings). Good value for an evening of entertainment (probably less than a cup of co ee). Hythe Flower Club meet on the second Thursday of the month except January and welcome guests and new members. A friendly inclusive club, meetings are held at Hythe and Dibden Parish Hall 6.45pm for 7.30pm. Follow them on Facebook or for more information email: HytheFlowerClub@outlook.com
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