Neighbours and Wildlife

[GCN lova]

Well my neighbours like to boot any snails out of their garden.... LITERALLY! Luckily my garden isn't connected so all the lizards, frogs, toadlets, slow worms from my garden won't 'contaminate' theirs . Im not sure if they like the common lizards which have moved from my garden the others via the fence but they'll have to put up with them. When i rescued the common frog from my neighbours garden she soon after completely dug up the grass and set down some painted slate or something .

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by GCN lova

When i rescued the common frog from my neighbours garden she soon after completely dug up the grass and set down some painted slate or something .

Well at least Bob's garden has a lawn, even though it's like a bowling green. All the dandelions come to live with me.

[jaelen]

Double post, sorry!

[jaelen]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I suggested to him once that he left a wildlife patch with a nettle or two for the butterflies and myriad of other insects that rely on them. If only you could've seen his face! Total horror!

So he wouldn't be keen on my little nettle garden? (Complete with its own white picket fence.)



To be fair, it wasn't intended for the nettles... it is going to be a herb garden, but it's still a work in progress. Some nettles can stay, but this is a bit OTT.

[GCN lova]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Well at least Bob's garden has a lawn, even though it's like a bowling green. All the dandelions come to live with me.

haha! our garden is full of mushrooms but i dont think the other wildflowers have moved in as i live in a new house.

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

I have been a conservationist since the 50s. Before it even had a name -other than "nutcase"-, Before "Silent Spring". Before wildlife records etc. etc.
Most people were like "Bob" in those days. I was the one being laughed at for my views on conserving wildlife, planting "weeds" etc. Just be pleased that we have come so far in one lifetime. A good old fashioned "Bob" is never useless. He can always be used as bad example.
Dave

This ``Bob`` is not me, honest injun...Bob

[PMG]

Loved the story Jules - glad you can see the funny side - he would annoy me ever so slightly every now and again! I tend to hold the opinion that anyone who keeps a spotless tidy house and same in the garden is wasting their life but of course that's only cos I don;t have the energy to do that and do all the other interesting things which I think are more important If I wished for anything it would be for someone (?housekeeper and gardner) to keep things organised and know where everything is - not neccessarily so tidy I couldn't move for fear of making a mess .... just well oiled and ordered ..... I think I missed my way and should have married into 'money'

Pauline

[Botticelliwoman]

I have a 'bob' too, but they're such lovely neighbours in other respects. I had to laugh though when he asked "have you seen any frogs in your garden????" a couple of weeks after the great froglet migration from the pond.
I can see him shudder at the sight of the 'weeds' and unkempt grass and I'm just waiting for him to mention the huge rat....

[Tringa]

Good suggestion from King E.

If you could introduce your neighbour to some good plants for insects that are less "wild" he may be interested.

One more to add to the suggestions is Fatsia japonica. It is more of a traditional specimen garden plant/bush but is an excellent plant in the autumn for attracting insects.

Dave

[Billabong Karen]

I can sympathise, my neighbours on one side are so absolutely tidy it astounds me. Now they have gone so far as to put down the dreaded decking, so that part of their immaculate lawn is covered up... At least they dont mind the huge and long ivy and firethorn hedge that separates us... and they agreed to leave holes so that foxes, hedgehogs etc can move between our gardens.