Jo Arnell explains how we can help our feathered friends through the winter with some thoughtful planting

Supplementary food can make the difference between life and death for our garden birds in winter – there are few insects and the fruit and berries soon run low. In some places woodland and hedgerows are dwindling, replaced with housing estates and non-native plants. Feeding our feathered friends can be tricky though – crowded feeders could be a potential source of infection, some commercial bird food is not of the best quality and sadly bird food is no longer tuppence a bag. I will be setting up some bird feeders this winter, but I have also been growing bird-friendly plants. Choose the right things to grow and you’ll be able to provide naturally available food. It’s not just seeds and berries either. In the summer there will be nectar to attract protein-packed insects for the birds to feed their young. The right plants will also create shelter, nesting materials, and a healthy ecosystem filled with other beneficial creatures – all helping to create a more balanced environment in the garden. And a garden that’s planted with birds in mind doesn’t just benefit the creatures out there – it also involves us in nature. Gardening for – and with – the birds is an immersive activity that will bring beauty, bounty and biodiversity.

Echinacea in flower
Purple and orange perennial cone flowers Echinacea Purpurea in a botanical garden.

Jo’s new gardening course is booking now 07923 969634 jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk






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