We Need to Protect Our Precious Pollinators

Biodiversity in the garden is very important. We need pollinators to grow many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. The wildflowers that provide us with color and beauty in our landscape also need pollinators, as do many garden plants.

Most pollination in Ireland is carried out by bees and other insects like hoverflies, butterflies and moths. Unfortunately, pollinators are in trouble. We know that one third of Irish bee species are threatened with extinction.

TheAll-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 is an island-

FOR GARDENS TO BE GOOD FOR POLLINATORS, THEY NEED TO PROVIDE FOOD IN THE FORM OF FLOWERS, SHELTER FOR NESTING AND SAFETY FROM CHEMICALS

�� Leave a strip of grass at the edge of a wall or fence, this will provide food and shelter for pollinators.

�� Use weed killer sparingly, areas out of sight at the back of the sheds or up behind the trees should not be sprayed, if you must strim or cut back, do it late in the year.

�� Manual weeding instead of using chemicals.

�� Flowering hedgerows around your home are a good source of pollen and nectar.

�� Plant Bee friendly plants that flower from Spring-

Autumn. This gives a continuous supply throughout the time when bees are actively foraging.

�� Don’t use herbicide on the verges outside your house.

If left alone, road verges can provide important areas for pollinators to feed and nest.

More people are starting to understand how important pollinators are and what we wide attempt to help pollinators by creating a landscape where they can survive and thrive.

All of us have a role to play in the Pollinator Plan, and gardens of any size can make a big difference. can do to help them, but we need to keep spreading the word, especially to the next generation.

These guidelines are aimed at anyone that wants to make their outdoor space more pollinator friendly.

Gardening For The Beginner. A Step By Step Guide

So you have just moved into your new home, you look out the back and you have a blank canvas, what’s the first thing you do? PANIC

This is a position that many people find themselves in with their first home and while there are many approaches that you can take, I would like to give you some pointers that will make the process go smoothly and avoid expensive mistakes.

Gardens are sometimes forgotten about when we move house and some remain neglected for years. They are however a very large part of your home and as such deserve to be taken care of to get the best results.

• PLAN for what will be needed in your garden, patio, flowerbeds, shed, lawn, play equipment, don’t forget bins, vegetable patch, clothes line, compost area, a greenhouse or any other special requirements.

• DOGS can damage a garden so consider a dog run if you have the space.

• PAY ATTENTION to the aspect of your garden, what part of the garden gets the best sun and at what time of the day. Put the patio where it will get the most direct sun.

• BE CAREFUL planting trees and ensure that you are aware of its final size.

• Plan forward, think how you will be using your garden in 5 or even 10 years’ time.

• IF USING a contractor use one that is well recommended. Look at other work they have done.

• IF YOU ARE A DIY FAN, there is a wealth of information available on the internet from plant selection to patio building tips.

• PLANTERS with ornamental plants and summer bedding are a great way to add a splash of colour and really lift a garden.

Finally enjoy your garden and grow with it.