Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
(b)
(c)
3
(d)
(e)
(f)
Figure 3.23
Some native plants suitable for different habitats in a
garden: pond edge, (a) fl ag iris (
Iris pseudacorus
); damp meadow, (b)
snake's head fritillary (
Fritillaria meleagris
), (c) ragged robin (
Lychnis
fl os-cuculi
), (d) white butterbur (
Petasites albus
); woodland with dappled
shade or glade, (e) foxglove (
Digitalis purpurea
), (f) daffodil (
Narcissus
pseudo-narcissus
); open ground, (g) teasel (
Dipsacus fullonum
)
pesticide is targeted at a specifi c pest species, that
may be a food source for other organisms. Pests
may also become resistant to a pesticide and will
no longer be controlled. It is worth tolerating some
plant damage in return for improving biodiversity in
the garden.
X
Minimize interference
with plants, shrubs and
trees and carry out operations at a time of year
which is least harmful. For example, hedges are
an overwintering site for many invertebrates
and a nesting site for birds in spring so pruning
times should take this into account. In fact, there
is evidence that pruning hedges in summer
when nesting is over prevents excessive growth
compared with pruning at other times of year.
Pruning hedges in the winter may disturb
overwintering organisms such as small mammals
and invertebrates. In the autumn and winter it is
important to leave seed heads and dead material
for food and shelter rather than have the urge to
simply tidy up.
X
Encourage a good population of soil organisms
by allowing organic material such as composted
matter, fallen leaves and herbaceous plants to return
(g)
Management
Managing a garden to encourage wildlife is not difficult
nor should it result in a garden which is overgrown
or unpleasant to look at. Many of these management
approaches follow that of
organic gardening
:
reduced pesticide use, minimal soil disturbance and a
focus on good soil health, mixed planting rather than
monocultures and a general aim of growing with nature
rather than against it. Organic gardening relies on a
good range of natural predators for pest control and
soil organisms for fertility. Some general principles are:
X
Prune to maximize fl ower and fruit
production and
deadhead herbaceous plants to prolong fl owering so
extending the supply of pollen and nectar.
X
Do not use pesticides
because they interfere with
the balance of organisms in the garden and disrupt
food chains and webs (see above). Pesticides
may remove 'benefi cial' insects, such as bees or
those which feed on 'harmful' species. Even if the
