Checking our home made hedgehog boxes

Our communal herb planter

Thank you to Age UK Barrow for the kind donation of a recently refurbished bench

We would like to thank Age UK Barrow for their generous donation of a bench they have recently refurbished. It is very much appreciated.

Re-potting tomato seedlings in the poly tunnel

Our mini beast hotels are blending in nicely

Why build a mini beast hotel?

We need mini-beasts, they perform a wide variety of beneficial services from plant pollination to water purification. They are also an important source of food for mammals and birds. Some wild invertebrates, such as bumblebees and solitary bees, are declining in numbers in the wider countryside, so we can contribute to their conservation by creating bug hotels, which are often interesting, attractive and fun to make.

What makes a good bug hotel?

The best bug hotels have lots of small spaces in different shapes and sizes and made from different materials. Ideally some should be nice and dry inside, and others a bit dampish. They are generally made from reclaimed materials, or natural objects, which reduces cost, helps them blend in with their surroundings and is probably more attractive to the mini-beast guests.

Little blue birds.....preparing their nest box

A welcomed visit from pupils of Sacred Heart Primary School

Re-potting tomato seedlings in the poly tunnel

Transplanting nasturtiums and calendula

Our Spiraea 'Arguta' (bridal wreath) in blossom

Spiraea argute - (also known as Bridal Wreath) is a hardy deciduous shrub, one of the early varieties, grown for its mass of small dainty white flowers and arching stems that appear from mid to late spring. This wonderful deciduous shrub is relatively easy to grow and perfect for use as a hedge or as a free standing shrub in the garden.

Slow worms making the most of the April heat

Bathed in sunshine

A variety of crops being grown in the poly tunnel

Transplanting teasel seedlings onto our wildlife banking

Routine maintenance for our compost toilet

Time to clean some of our tables

Our friends at Cadas have been busy sowing crops in the poly tunnel

A common carder bumblebee

One of our common lizards basking in the sun

First sighting of a peacock butterfly this year

Some of our hostas beginning to make an appearance

New growth for the hawthorn in our mixed hedging

Time for a little lawn maintenance

How to grow potatoes

What could be more satisfying than the fresh flavour of newly dug potatoes lifted straight from your own vegetable plot? They are very versatile and can be grown in practically any kind of soil and will quite happily grow in containers.

If you would like to learn more about growing potatoes you can find some excellent free advice on the Royal Horticultural Society website here.

How to attract butterflies into your garden

Butterflies will visit any garden, however small, if they can feed from suitable nectar plants and a well thought out garden can attract up to 18 species of butterfly. If you manage your area to create a breeding habitat you may see even more.

The Butterfly Conservation Trust has produced some top tips and advice on how you could attract more butterflies to your garden. Among the free advice includes:

The 100 best plants for butterflies

Food plants for caterpillars.

Plants to attract moths.

Planting plans for your flower beds.

 You can find more information on their website here.

How you could help bumblebees

How can you help bees if you only have a small urban space like a balcony or a small back yard?

 Vertical Veg has details of how you could help by: 

• Creating a solitary bee home
• Choosing the right flowers for bees
• Making an insect hotel 

Please visit their website for more detailed information here