Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
A resident's Wildlife Garden
I'm building a wildflower garden. It's a friend's small back garden, on the Ferry Lane Estate in Tottenham, N17.
I've sown a selection of wildflower seeds and they're coming along very nicely now. In addition to the wildflower area, there's a small herb section and also a small pond, which I've also recently installed. It measures about 4ft x 2ft, with a mixture of surface and marginal plants, including a water lily, mace and, of course, oxygenators.
The garden is entirely organic - not a herbicide/pesticide in sight and no chlorine-rich tap water. Water is left to stand for 48 hours, for the chlorine to evaporate.
Dense ivy is on two sides of the garden, where nesting birds have been seen for at least five consecutive years and, at the back, several varieties of moss have been introduced in the darker corners, along with lichen-laden branches and ferns, to add a woodland feel. Apart from looking nice, this dead wood is home to many varieties of mini-beasts -- that's great for birds and invertebrates too!
The whole garden is a postage stamp! It's only 15ft x 15ft, and is a prime example of what can be achieved within even the tiniest of spaces. It's been designed solely with wildlife in mind. The few cultivar plants there are, are slowly being phased out.
Come mid/end of Summer, the wildflower blooms will add yet another dimension, but it is very much a garden in progress.
My friend openly and warmly invites anyone who is interested, to come along and take a look.
Best wishes to all
Jeanette
Tags for Forum Posts: estate, ferry, flowers, garden, herbs, lane, pond, tottenham, wild, wildflower
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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Hi Jeanette
Your friend's garden sounds amazing - I would really love to see it. Have you seen the post about having some kind of open garden day in the summer - could we do it as part of that? Even if not, I'd be very interested in having a look.
By the way, I'd recommend taking your phone number off your post just to be on the safe side.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanette Sitton on
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Hi Alison
My friend and I would be delighted for anyone to come along and have a look.
Please note though, the garden is still in its infancy in terms of wildflowers - they were only sown last month. Also, the pond was installed 2 months ago. If you would still like to come along, it would be great to see you. That invitation is extended to every one.
Re the phone number, I'll get right on it!
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Sorry Alison, I forgot to mention, we'd love to take part in the 'Open Garden Day'. Great idea!
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Permalink Reply by Sam R on
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Hi Jeanette
Like Alison I would love to see it. I have tried to incorporate some of the wildlife elements that you have in my garden but I'm a sucker for those big cultivated blowsey flowers that the bees hate.
I have a similar size pond and I was so excited when I found I have newts and noticed two baby newts last weekend. I cant seem to stop my pond getting all slimey though. I only use rainwater and its full of plants, i assumed they were oxygenators. Any suggesstions?
Sam
So we dont disturb i
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I started so I'll finish typing before I press reply.......
So we don't disturb the wildlife by too many visitors I'm happy to come along with you Alison -
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Hi Sam
Ideally, your pond should have no more than 2/3rds of plant cover. The secret: whenever you see plants creeping across the surface get them out. Also, I personally don't recommend having a pond in full sunlight. The one I've done is partially in the shade. That will probably change a bit when the sun starts creeping over, (June/July/Aug), at which time I'll have to be extra vigilant on the algae front. Another tip is to remove fallen leaf matter as soon as you see it. In regards to filling with rain water, that's brilliant!!! Good job!!! In dry months I recommend having a few watering cans on stand by. Keep them filled with tap water and it will naturally de-chlorinate, (24-48 hours). Then it'll be safe to use. Chlorinated water is 'nutrient rich' and encourages algae. As for the slime, not all slime is bad. It really only becomes bad, when it's in excess! My personal rule of thumb is, "wildlife knows best". If newts are in it, they obviously enjoy the pond's balance, in terms of vegetation. Newts will bury themselves, so I guess they're loving the 'slime'. As I say though, keep an eye on the quantity of vegetation, as it will drain all the oxygen out of the water, (plants above water give out oxygen, but plants under water give out carbon dioxide, except for oxygenators). Ideally have bottom, mid-way and surface plants. Plenty of oxygenators needed in a small pond. I hope that helps AND YES, you are very welcome to come along to take a look. Bear in mind, the wildflower seeds were only sown a month again and the pond only installed 2 months ago, but things are already coming to life. There are some cultivars, but they're being phased out. You're very welcome. I can be contacted at: jeanette followed by sitton followed by 217 followed by AT SIGN gmail followed by .com Happy ponding!!!
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I've been wondering about something smaller, specifically for wildlife. But I'm a bit worried about just providing a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. I read somewhere that this can be a problem - but presumably the idea is that these are eaten by other things?
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I can't be sure, but I think you mostly get midges around stagnant water. I think, providing your water stays in a good state, (plenty of oxygenators), midges will be kept under control. Birds eat them, as do bats and dragonflies. I'm sure there must be others too.
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That's one problem I definitely don't seem to have with my pond luckily and it's now in its third year. Perhaps that's why I have such healthy newts! They eat the midges larvae
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Thanks Jeanette for the time to give me such great advice. I think I need to see if I have enough oxygenators. I just filled the pond with plants from friends so not sure what they are. (That's a google search for when it's wet and windy) if we go ahead with our open garden perhaps you could have a look for me. Thanks again
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