Promoting Biodiversity in Ramsgate

Over the last decade, a clear pattern of longer spells of dry weather has emerged and we will need to re-evaluate the way we manage our gardens.

There are many ways we can do this, for example:

• Using plants that are more drought tolerant, opening up an opportunity to create more diversity in flower and foliage texture in your garden. For examples and ideas, see Beth Chatto’s Gravel Garden, which includes suggested plant lists - www.bethchatto.co.uk.
• If you have a south or south westerly planting aspect, you may be successful in growing plants once considered challenging to grow – for example apricots, peaches, nectarines. (The only prerequisite is not to plant them in frost pockets as early spring frosts can damage blossom).
• More biodiversity in your lawn can lead to lawns with life rather than just brown grass. Clover cultivars are effective walkable alternatives to the normal lawn. You could also consider a thyme lawn where minimum treading is likely but where the visual effect is important. It is also great for pollinators. (NB The best time to mow lawns and minimise impact to bees and yourself is before 9am or after 6pm.)
• Mulching borders and beds with fallen leaves is important. Leaves should be raked onto borders and beds; worms and other secondary soil decomposers will take this material down into the soil, improving soil fertility and soil moisture holding capacity. Leaving leaves and other cut up vegetation in the garden will also give cover for insects and other invertebrates, encouraging birds into your garden who will then predate on these insects. It really is a win-win situation, leaving leaves on the ground. If you create thick piles of leaves in corners, this can give winter cover for hedgehogs, frogs and toads too.
• You will also accelerate the decomposition process by mowing oak, sycamore and Norway maple leaves. These are high in tannins, are leathery and thus slower to decompose. Once mown, toss them onto your ornamental borders. (Please note, some prostrate plants will not like to be covered in mulch, so avoid doing this).
• If you have room, you could create a leaf compost area using posts and chicken mesh to create your own leaf mould. This is also good for combining with garden soil and seaweed meal to create your own potting compost.
• Please also consider a pond. These bring so much life into a garden and are a great learning experience for all the family. Varying levels within the pond will enable a more diverse range of plants to grow and attract more diverse aquatic life.

‘Wild East’ (www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001b3t7), an episode on BBC Radio 4’s “On Your Farm” series, is all about a great initiative in East Anglia to get farmers, landowners and gardeners to allocate 20% of their plot to help nature recover, helping to create important connectivity of habitat. If you could allocate an area of your garden, together with your neighbours, this would make an enormous difference to your locality. This is already happening in East Anglia, and we could and can do this in Kent too!

Written by:
Kevin Pressland,
Professional Horticulturalist/Permaculturalist and Advisor in Full Systems Thinking