TV GARDENER Alan Titchmarsh is calling on everyone to make a metre for wildlife this summer, by providing a refuge for struggling butterflies, moths and other pollinators. Here, Titchmarsh offers some top tips on creating plots for pollinators...
1. Select your space
Measure out one square-metre of outdoor space and fill it with open-flowered, nectar-rich plants. Choose a sunny, sheltered position and group pots together on a patio, grow plants up a fence or wall, or commit an area of a flowerbed.
2. Keep watering
Water your plot regularly – ideally from a water butt, as this is more environmentally friendly. Frequent watering prevents plants from drying out during a spell of hot weather, especially when in containers, and helps flowers to produce more nectar. Remember to water the soil, not the plant, as larger leaves can act as an umbrella which prevents water getting to the roots. Remove the rose from your watering can to get nearer the plant base if necessary.
3. Lay a mulch
Put a layer of mulch on the surface of the soil around the plants, to help prevent water evaporation and suppress weed growth.
4. Use peat-free compost
Always choose peat-free compost and cut down on your use of plastic. Use recyclable and recycled containers or be creative and turn tins and tubs into plant pots. Remember to drill drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
5. Dead-head blooms
Dead-heading after flowering keeps plants looking attractive and encourages more blooms.
6. Get neighbours involved
Inspire your neighbours to plant a plot for pollinators to create a flowery 'super highway' for the pollinating insects where you live.
7. Avoid chemicals
Avoid using harmful pesticides, by removing slugs and snails by hand instead. Night is the best time to catch these marauding molluscs in action. Once caught, release them at a safe distance from your plot.
Butterfly Conservation's Plots for Pollinators project will run throughout spring and summer. To take part, visit butterfly-conservation.org/PlantPlots
