GREENFINGERS… the Alan Titchmarsh column

Think of our gardens in summer and you can probably come up with the same old things that make those outside spaces such pleasurable places to spend time in. There are flowers such as roses, lavender, foxgloves, delphiniums; there’s all that lush green grass that offers visual magnificence with an aroma that is as unique as it is unmistakable. Beyond that, there’s the beauty of climbing plants such as ivy, clematis and honeysuckle. And of course, the odd bat. Hang on, did I just say that?! Well I did, and it’s true. Bats in the summer in our gardens are common, albeit not the first thing you would immediately think of. And while you’re there, have a look for grass snakes, stag beetles, slow worms, glow-worms, foxes, and even rare amphibians such as the great crested newt. And what about the humble hedgehog, or the sparky sparrowhawk?

Few of these animals we would confidently associate with summer gardens, but they are there, they are present, and if we seek them out, they can truly enrich our admiration for this wonderful habitat and where life – beyond flowers and plants – is shown to flourish.

So while the summer months typically enable us to sit back, relax and enjoy the immediate visual beauty of our gardens, the truth is there is so much more going on behind the scenes. You’ll see all this if you delve a bit deeper into your outside space, and can attract the wonderful visitors – all the while supporting local biodiversity – by ensuring you are planting native species, by providing water sources, as well as creating habitats like log piles or compost heaps.

The fact is, while we look on our gardens primarily as places that stimulate our senses so spectacularly, it’s worth remembering they are habitats for all manner of wonderful little creatures and critters, and we are all, at times, guilty of forgetting their existence.

Ah, but I hear you cry, won’t half of these things end up feasting away on my prized petunias, or my carefully curated cabbage patch? Well yes, in some cases they will, although there are always measures you can take to protect your flowers and produce from unwanted nibbles.

The truth is, while your garden is the ultimate natural habitat, you do have a fair say on what is encouraged in and what isn’t. You’ll know your own ratio and the lengths you want to go to in order to make the space a living habitat for animals as much as for flowers and plants.

My recommendation this year is to give a bit more back to animal life –even if that means keeping the grass a bit longer than you usually would –because you’ll be surprised at just how much more your garden evolves.

Joe Wicks’ Elvis pancakes

He may be the king of ‘keep fit’, but Joe Wicks knows that the secret to success is to eat food that is both nutritious and delicious. You might assume pancakes would be a rare treat for anyone keeping to a fitness regime, but Joe’s are not only packed with protein and nutrients, they’re also very easy to make.

Ingredients (serves one) l 4 rashers of streaky bacon (120g) l 2 small ripe bananas l 2 eggs l 2 heaped tbsp peanut butter l ½ tsp ground cinnamon l Big pinch of baking powder l Salt l 10g butter l Drizzle of maple syrup – optional

Method

1. Preheat your grill to max imum heat.

2. Lay the rashers of bacon on a baking tray lined with baking parch ment. Slide under the hot grill. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until done to your liking. I like my bacon crispy on the outside but still a little soft.

3. Meanwhile using a fork, mash the bananas in a bowl into a rough puree. Crack in the eggs, spoon in 1 tablespoon peanut butter, sprinkle in the cinnamon, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Give everything a good stir. Pancake batter sorted.

4. Melt the butter in a large non-stick frying pan over a low to medium heat. Once bubbling, spoon the batter into the pan to make 4–6 pancakes. Fry the pancakes without moving them for 3 minutes on the first side, or until the batter has set, then flip and fry the pancakes for a further minute on the second

While the pancakes are gently frying, mix the remaining peanut butter with ½ tablespoon water in a small bowl. This will loosen it, making it easier to drizzle on the pancakes.