Welcome to the March edition of our wildlife gardening blog. This is an exciting month in the garden – buds are bursting, bees are buzzing, and birds are busy nest building! 

Look out for small tortoiseshell and brimstone butterflies emerging from hibernation. These and other hungry pollinators are desperate for an energy boost. Early spring is a tough time for pollinators, so plants flowering now are particularly valuable. Lungwort, squill and native primroses are all good, but some of the best sources of nectar are dandelions. Do some ‘mini’ rewilding; let the dandelions bloom and see what insects they attract. You might even spot our species of the month, the tawny mining bee! If you can’t bring yourself to let all your dandelions flower, consider dead heading before the ‘clocks’ form, or dig out a few plants using a dandelion fork or blunt knife.  Avoid using herbicides as there is a growing body of evidence showing that glyphosate can directly harm insects by disrupting their immune system, as well as indirectly by removing an important nectar source. 

Warmer days mean we can start sowing seed to increase the numbers of pollinator friendly plants in our gardens. Choose annuals with simple, open flowers like poppies, borage and Coreopsis. Fast-growing perennials such as chives, beautiful blue cornflowers, elegant coneflowers and colourful yarrows can also be sown in March. Spread the love and share any excess seedlings with friends and neighbours. 

Borage and chives are great in the garden, good for both pollinators and gardeners. A tub of borage leaves soaked in water will make a free liquid feed which is a great plant tonic. While chives, as well as being a useful kitchen ingredient, can help deter aphids if grown under roses. Check out our webpage to see other possible companion plants. 

This is also a good time to reflect on whether we can do more to help nature on our doorstep. Perhaps plan a mini-meadow where insects can sip nectar and find shelter to breed; or create a mini-pond for damselflies to breed and birds to drink. Hedgehogs will be more active now, so connect neighbouring gardens with hedgehog highways and help reduce their need to cross busy roads. By taking actions to help wildlife we can help create green corridors and provide stepping-stones to make it easier for wildlife to find food, water and shelter. 

One of the best things you can do for garden wildlife is stop using chemicals. Pesticides can have unintentional impacts on ‘non target’ wildlife, especially insects. Many are neurotoxins which can kill, confuse and reduce disease resistance. Why should we stop using chemicals? Well, ‘love ‘em or loath ‘em’, insects provide vital garden services; from breaking down organic waste in borders and compost bins, to pollinating plants which give us food and viable seed. Please take action for insects and ‘ditch the bug gun’ this year. By helping insects, you are also providing food for other insects, birds, and mammals such as hedgehogs. Have a look at our website for ideas on how to reduce ‘pests’ and diseases without using chemicals. Remember, what might be a ‘pest’ to us is food for other wildlife; hoverfly larvae can eat 50 aphids per day, while a blue tit needs 100 caterpillars per day to feed just one chick. 

Look out for more wildlife friendly and sustainable gardening tips in next month’s blog. 

Thank you for helping wildlife. Working together we can help create a Wilder Dorset!