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Old 20-07-2009, 12:34 PM
jenjen21 jenjen21 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 16
Re: Anyone Else Here From Essex?

Dawny, sounds pretty good. Large spaces aren't always an advantage. Our garden is mainly nettles, brambles and a few over grown trees. My parents (and sometimes even me) concentrate on trying to get the vegetables to grow, rather than keeping control over the weeds everywhere esle.

The only few things I can think of, which you've most likely done already is:
1) Mixed bird foods preferably near cover (we get dunnocks and wrens around our's because its surrounded by young oak trees and of course the weeds)
2) Having a small 'untamed' area, not as much as I do, but long grasses even nettles and things that are often pulled out by us are great foods and habitats (for example as our thistles are great at attracting goldfinches).
3) Areas for birds to nest, either through bird boxes, or if you live in an old house like we do then birds such as house sparrows will nest in the gaps under the roof.
4) Having food all year round if possible. Such as having early spring flowers for the insects, as often especially with bees they come out on the odd few days when the weather nice in winter and spring to find food and don't get anywhere.
5) With the pond is it at different levels, such as is there a shallow part for birds to bathe and for things to crawl in and out of.
6) As everyone says, don't use sprays if possible, we've got a lot more insects since we reduced the amount of chemicals we use (or none at all in some areas )

And so it doesn't look like I've changed the subject. I also think it would be a good idea to meet up around one of these areas. If you are happy with helping me work out some of the plant and wildlife around my place I would be happy to show you round.
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