Herald - Issue 417

Page 50 • The HERALD • 6th January 2022 v EMAIL: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk v SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u F ree E stimates u F ully I nsured Qualified, knowledgeable and friendly husband and wife team with over 15 years experience specialising in one off garden tidy ups. Fully insured. * Garden out of control and need bringing back to a maintainable level? * Require a seasonal cut back for jobs too big for you or your equipment? * Just finished house renovations and the garden needs some TLC? * Recently moved into or are preparing to sell your property? * Have a forthcoming special event planned in your garden? Whatever the reason please use the contact details below to book in your tailored quote. Tel: 07501 118817 Email: bgsgroundcare@gmail.com The Tidy Garden Company Hampshire | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | OUR NEW HEDGE by Vic Lee We decided to plant a new hedge at would act as a screen With plants that would have lots of berries It would soon become a home for wildlife And a haven for the birds, insects and the bees We look forward to seeing the Robins e Finches and the Tits And to catch sight of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Would thrill us both to bits One day we saw a murmuration of Starlings Weaving beautiful patterns in the sky But for the sake of our hedge We prayed they’d pass us by But the Starlings did not pass ey stopped and had a feast on our hedge When they’d eaten all our berries ey started on our veg! So if you are thinking of planting a new hedge If you have any sense Take my advice and Go and buy a fence! To enhance the wintry scene With the di erent coloured berries And the kaleidoscopic coloured leaves Putting out a bit of food can help see mammals like hedgehogs through colder spells. Most wild mammals are nocturnal and secretive so you may not know you have any visitors. Whether you have an urban garden or you live in the countryside, hedgehogs, wood mice and even badgers o en visit. You might be surprised at who makes an appearance! Constantly putting out food can make wild mammals reliant on unnatural food sources. But putting out a bit of food during winter allows them to top up any low stocks, and gives them a helping hand through the cold and harsh weather. Put out fresh food at dusk and don’t forget a dish of fresh water! Feeding hedgehogs: Use a plain, meat-based cat food, or a specialist hedgehog food (sold in garden centres), which helps to keep their teeth sharp and clean. If you have a problem with cats eating the food, try placing the food under a brick shelter with a hedgehog-sized gap in it. If food isn’t eaten overnight, remove anything that will go o and replace it with fresh o erings in the evening. Research suggests that unpredictable supplementary feeding is bene cial e.g. moving the feeding spots around and scattering food in a more natural way. Remember: it is important not to leave bread and milk out for hedgehogs as it can cause diarrhoea. Feeding badgers: Use wet cat or dog food, or a specialist badger food. Provide some fruits, such as apples, plums or pears, and nuts, such as unsalted peanuts or brazils. Leave out root vegetables like carrots, along with some cooked potato. If food isn’t eaten overnight, remove anything that will go o and replace it with fresh o erings in the evening. What to Feed Hedgehogs and Badgers Information from The Wildlife Trust