During the first meeting of the new Autumn programme, the Chair called for a one minute silence to honour Queen Elizabeth who had sadly passed away this day.
Mr Jonny Rook was our guest speaker. He described his varied and interesting career path which has culminated in establishing a wholesale business just outside Carlisle: supplying wildflower seeds and management advice for how to establish and maintain wild flower meadows.
Jonny illustrated how naturalistic planting can benefit many species of insect and indigenous wildlife.
British gardens make up 11% of all land use in this country,
so gardeners can play a significant part in promoting these biodiverse areas.
Jonny explained how agricultural monoculture, industrial pollution, peat moss destruction & effluents pouring into our rivers and have all contributed to destroying parts of our grasslands and natural habitats.
Around the middle of the last century, environmental issues began coming to the fore. One of the initial campaigns was to ‘Save the Whale’ which proved enormously successful in raising awareness of the plight of that species.
Jonny described how, we as gardeners, we can improve the natural habitats within our gardens. Different types of wildflower meadows have specific requirements for their successful creation and management. Soil conditions, maintenance tasks, tools required, appropriate seed mixes to use all impact on the success of the project. e.g. an annual flower meadow is very different from a perennial flower meadow.
As communities become aware of the significance of wildlife and natural habitats, more public spaces can be utilised and managed as wildlife corridors and environments. Common lands / nature reserves / coastal sites / churchyards / play parks / roadside verges / village greens etc. can become vital wildlife sanctuaries. However, it’s not just a case of doing nothing in these areas! Much needs to be considered e.g. soil types / grazing needs etc.
When we want to create more natural habitats in our gardens we certainly need to mange weed dominance – crouch grass, nettles, brambles etc !!!
https://www.cumbriawildflowers.co.uk/
Cumbria Wildflowers, Great Orton. A local nursery offering professional advice and a wholesale market for wildflower seeds.
Written by Jude J
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