Tag: nature

Our week that was: Gardens & nature

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There’s been so much rain around in the past week, but we’ve been lucky enough to have a couple of well-timed windows of sunshine. My local branch of the Women’s Institute has had another outdoor visit in the diary for a while, and it proved to be anything but a washout. I’ve popped out into the garden – between showers – to pick sweet pea flowers and fig leaves. Ditto to take the dog for a walk; alas, we did manage to get soaked on a couple of occasions!

Trawsgoed Mansion

Grounds to the front of Trawsgoed Mansion
Grounds to the front of Trawsgoed Mansion

Trawsgoed Mansion tennis court changing room Trawsgoed Mansion tennis court changing room
Steps in the garden of Trawsgoed Mansion Statue in the garden of Trawsgoed Mansion

This week, my WI had a visit to the garden at the nearby Trawsgoed Mansion. We felt privileged to be invited (the owner is a friend of one of the members) to have a look around such a wonderful and historically important place. The mansion (and its grounds) is currently for sale – it really needs a buyer who’s willing and able to restore it to its former glory – there’s so much potential!

Butterflies


Buddleia is at its peak at the moment, and my little video clip and photos show why it’s referred to as the ‘butterfly bush’. This particular buddleia shrub grows out in the wild on one of my dog-walking routes and was literally abuzz with all kinds of butterflies, bees and other insects. A few of them managed to stay still long enough for me to capture their beauty!

Painted lady butterfly Butterflies on buddleia Peacock butterfly

Fig syrup

Home-made fig syrup

We’re lucky enough to have three small fig trees in our garden, one of which should give us a crop of about a dozen fruits this year. The long hot spell really suited them this year!

I picked about half a dozen of the younger leaves to make some fig syrup. I’ve not tasted it before; apparently, it’s meant to have a flavour reminiscent of coconut and vanilla. I’ve never made it before, either, so I only made a small batch in case I don’t like it. I’ll let you know what I think next week. I’m planning to use it as a cordial with fizzy water and as an alternative to maple syrup on pancakes and waffles. Here’s the recipe in case you want to try it yourself:

Home-made fig syrup

Fig syrup

Print recipe Pin recipe
Course Condiment

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g granulated sugar
  • 250 ml boiling water
  • ½ tsp citric acid
  • 6 small fig leaves washed & patted dry

Instructions
 

  • Push the washed & dried fig leaves into the bottom of a sterilised glass jar
  • Put the sugar into a measuring jug and pour over the boiling water. Stir to dissolve completely
  • Add the citric acid and stir again until dissolved
  • Carefully pour the boiling syrup over the fig leaves in the jar. Immediately fasten the lid/stopper and give the contents a gentle swirl
  • Leave to steep for at least 24 hours and up to a week
  • Remove the leaves and discard
  • Reseal the jar or decant into a sterilised bottle, refrigerate and use the syrup within a month
Keyword figs, syrup

Creating a nature inspired bedroom

Creating a nature inspired bedroom

You’d say you’re the outdoorsy type. Nothing calms you down more than the sound of the wind in the trees, the scent of the woods after downpour, or the way the sun catches the forest floor. So why not create a similar peaceful environment in your bedroom? Even if you’re not actually sleeping under the stars, you can simulate the experience by creating a nature inspired bedroom theme.

Within your own home, you could transform your inner-city situation into a pleasing woodland glade. The following recommendations for designing a restful place are a must-read if you’re interested in creating a tranquil environment utilising green as one of the key hues in your colour scheme. Here are some of the top, nature-inspired bedroom design ideas to get you motivated for your next renovation.

Establish an aesthetic

For a nature lover, it feels as though green and brown were meant to be together. These two colours offer a genuine aesthetic that welcomes the outside in since they have origins that are quite literally in nature. Additionally, home-owners have the option to design a rich, dynamic area in their houses that promotes calm and quiet by using green and brown tones in the décor plan. Green’s ability to evoke a sense of calm is one of  the benefits of using it in a colour scheme. Green is the ideal colour to get a natural aesthetic, according to nature enthusiasts and those seeking to add more authenticity to their design.

Embrace natural materials

Use organic materials such as wood, wool and linen to give your bedroom a rustic feel. This not only brings nature into your house, but it also gives the impression that the room is larger than it actually is. You could add these with items of bedroom furnishing like a headboard, wardrobe, bedside table or ottoman, or you could even cover the walls of your bedroom with slatted oak or walnut. For an array of fantastic, nature inspired wardrobes visit https://www.wardrobedirect.com/.

Choose a bed that suits your style

The bed is the focal point of the bedroom, therefore it must be perfect! Here are a few things to think about:

  • What size bed will you need – a single, a double, a king or perhaps a super-king? To ensure that it will fit, don’t forget to measure your space.
  • Which bed frame material do you favour – upholstered, hardwood, metal, imitation leather or velvet?
  • Will you need under-bed storage? If so, an ottoman bed could be something to consider.
  • Will the bed be situated in the master bedroom, the guest room or the kid’s room?

Add decorative plants

By assembling a variety of tall stems in a sizeable rustic vase, you can create a decorative feature that’s simultaneously architectural and nature-inspired. With short stalks and a small vase, you’ll create the same effect on a more diminutive scale.

House plants are perhaps the simplest way to bring a little slice of nature into any space in your home. It can be easy to decorate with plants. Just be sure to choose the appropriate plants for the amount of light temperature variances your space receives and follow any watering recommendations specific to your chosen plants. You could enhance the look of your shelves with a display of cacti or put a peace lily in your bedroom to help filter the air while you sleep.

The best indoor plants for those of us without green thumbs are listed below:

  • snake plant
  • spider plant
  • palms
  • aloe
  • ferns
  • ivy

Introduce tactile fabrics

Rustic design incorporates handmade and craft items into the space being decorated. Simple additions such a wicker chair or chunky knit baskets help to construct that rustic feel. They can also have a lot more elegance than many typical bedroom storage solutions. For balance, combine these with other materials with a similar tonal range; bamboo, rattan or leather and complete the look by using white, beige and grey-hued bedding, textiles and accessories made from cotton, linen and wool.

Maximise natural lighting

It doesn’t mean you have to forego on having bright, well-lit rooms just because you don’t have the luxury of big windows, skylights or a south-facing garden. When mirrors are hung in deliberate and thoughtful positions, even the smallest or most dimly lit windows can reflect light from the outside, giving the impression of brightness. A similar result may be achieved by decorating your area with glass accents. If you want a natural aesthetic, wooden shutters, linen shades or sheer cotton curtains are the ideal dressing to any window.

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The property developer’s guide to ecological surveys

The property developer's guide to ecological surveys

Before any building work can take place, as a property developer, you’re legally responsible for conducting a number of ecological surveys. These surveys are designed to investigate the impact that your proposed development would have on the local community, wildlife and the environment at large. It’s only after this survey that you’re likely to receive permission for your proposed development. So let’s get into it.

Do I really need to carry out an ecological survey?

As a developer, you must carry out an ecology survey on any site that might house an ecosystem or habitat for a protected species like heathland, any body of water, parkland, woodland, areas with existing derelict buildings, caves or coastal areas. Essentially, any area that you plan to develop on will need a survey carrying out to assess the environmental impact of what you’re proposing.

These ecological surveys are important; they make you aware of any potential ecological constraints from the offset. Development plans can be adjusted accordingly to limit your impact on the biodiversity. You can find a workaround without having to halt your plans.

The process

Ecological surveys often have two stages. A preliminary ecological appraisal is conducted first. This tends to be a quick walk over and a desk study to look for any initial signs of wildlife on the site or a history of wildlife in the area. There are a few species and habitats that take priority, thanks to the Biodiversity Action Plan of 2013. If no evidence is found, then no further surveys are needed and the findings can be submitted alongside the planning application. However, if the initial survey does turn something up, then it’s necessary to move on to phase two. Again, the survey needs to be carried out before planning permission is sought or granted.

The second phase of the process is an assessment of the ecological impact of the proposed development on the area. This approach does tend to depend on what species have been found during the initial findings. For example, it could be reptiles, rodents or bats. In fact, 24Housing has some excellent resources, including key facts about bat surveys that you should check out. This report is more detailed, and it essentially outlines the potential effect that a development would have on the existing species or habitats that have been found in the area. It takes the findings from the preliminary ecological appraisal and builds upon them. Failure to carry out this phase of the process if you need to often means that the development process will be halted. The report produced is used to devise mitigation strategies or solutions that then allow the development to go ahead.

The entire process does hinge on several factors, and they’re often constrained by the seasons – which can lead to delays here and there. For example, the initial walk-through can be carried out whenever, but if it is discovered that the species dwelling there are nocturnal or prone to hibernation, then the second phase has to wait until the best time to collect more definitive evidence. In addition, the cost of the survey can fluctuate depending on the size of the area, the findings and the solutions offered.

The consequences of not carrying out the survey

As mentioned above, there are several consequences that you could be on the hook for if you fail to carry out an ecological survey. Firstly, legal proceedings. If you continue with your development and disrupt or destroy the habitat of a protected species, then you can be punished. The penalties do vary from a fine to jail time.

There’s also the cost to the project. Not carrying out the survey in time could lead to setbacks and drive up the cost of the project. It could also increase your chance of encountering costly problems down the line. And finally, starting your development without the necessary information on the local wildlife could lead to irreparable damage to the ecosystem. In causing this damage, your reputation could suffer, and business as a whole impacted.

Types of survey

When it comes to ecology surveys, there are two main types. Firstly, there’s the animal survey which, as you can guess, looks for animals of all types, which includes reptiles, bats, otters, badgers, birds, rodents or any other notable species in the area. There are also botanical surveys that look for species of plant, some of which are rarer than others and some of which are more likely to cause problems when it comes to construction. Which variation you need will depend on the plot itself and what you’re more likely to find in the immediate vicinity.

BREEAM assessments

BREEAM assessments or building research establishment environmental assessment method is carried out to establish a calculation of how much the ecological value of the site will change and whether the value can be enhanced. The assessment also provides you with recommendations on how you can protect the ecological features on-site as well as the long-term impact on the biodiversity of the area. They’re often used to develop a management plan for the development itself.

It helps to mitigate and manage the risks to the development, in addition to being invaluable when it comes to maximising your return on investment by keeping the costs down. Finally, it allows you to demonstrate more sustainability when planning the project, through the design elements and construction too. This is something that you often need to outsource unless, again, you have a qualified member of staff on your team to carry this out.

The bottom line

To put it simply, a development cannot progress without an ecology survey. They provide an invaluable insight into the plot that you plan to develop on as well as being a legal requirement. They can also help you to avoid wasting money or making costly mistakes that could jeopardise the whole project. You need to do your research to ensure that all areas of your development are legally compliant in order to avoid serious repercussions.

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7 ways to make your garden more wildlife friendly

7 ways to make your garden more wildlife friendly

The amount of wildlife we share our world with is outstanding, but unfortunately, the number of plants and animals on our doorsteps is declining at a rapid rate. Urbanisation and a growing human population are reducing the amount of space and food available for our native wildlife, which is making it harder for them to survive and grow. It’s said that almost 87% of UK households own a garden and these outdoor spaces will cover a larger area than all of our wildlife trusts combined.

Making good use of your garden will give wildlife that helping hand they need and will improve your garden’s appearance. Here are 7 ways you can make your garden more wildlife friendly.

Bee on a pink and orange flower

Grow specific plants

Growing plants that support a range of insects will maximise the chances of them entering your garden and surviving. Bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinators will feed on the nectar of many plants, so you should add a variety to your collection to draw them in and make your garden look great. However, if you want to support reproduction, then you should look into planting particular plants that attract butterflies to lay their eggs on them and encourage the growth and survival of caterpillars.

Gold finch on a bird feeder

Feed the birds

Feeding the birds using bird feeders is a quick and easy way to make your garden a better place for our feathered friends. If you have a squirrel problem in your area, look into buying a squirrel-proof feeder. The food you put out will determine the birds you attract. Niger seeds will attract different finches and siskins and peanuts are loved by nuthatches, tits and woodpeckers. If you want to purchase garden bird supplies, then you should check out Little Peckers. This online bird food store has everything you need to keep birds happy in one place, plus they have a fantastic range of wildlife products that may suit you.

Bug hotel located on a tree trunk

Make a home

In order to make the indigenous animals truly happy and comfortable, you should do what you can to create a welcoming home for them. This includes building and supplying warmth and shelter for them to rest and raise their young. For birds, this will include putting up bird boxes and providing materials for them to nest. For bugs, insect hotels and wood piles work great. For ground dwelling animals, planting hedges for them to move through and burrow under provides safe places for mammals to live.

Wooden compost bin

Build a compost heap

Creating a compost heap is a great way to put your food waste to good use and increase the health and biodiversity of your garden. When you make and maintain a compost heap, you’ll create a home for mini-beasts, also known as small invertebrates. These are a brilliant source of food for a variety of different creatures. The compost you make can also be used to feed the trees, plants and grass in your garden as it’s packed with essential nutrients and worms that stabilise and improve the soil.

Night time moth

Support nocturnal wildlife

As well as taking care of the wildlife you see during the day, you should do what you can to help the creatures of the night. Plenty of wildlife will use your garden when you are tucked up in bed, and these nocturnal animals are usually the ones for whom people forget to cater. Planting night-blooming flowers will attract pollinating insects such as moths, which will create a great food source for bats and other insectivores. Removing artificial light from the outside of your property is another effective way to help bats.

Garden pond for wildlife

Add a water source

Watering your garden will support your plants and make your garden stronger, and adding a water source will provide an environment that will support a variety of amphibians; including frogs, common toads and newts. These creatures will provide a natural and highly effective method of pest control, as they feed on a variety of invertebrates. Adding a small pond will look great and make your garden more wildlife friendly. It may also attract dragonflies during the summer, which is when they are active.

Garden bench in overgrown lawn

Let things grow

Many UK home-owners tend to install fake grass and lay concrete and brick patios and keep their gardens overly tidy. Although this looks neat, it will not support the environment very well. Sometimes, longer grass and messy hedges is exactly what the local wildlife needs. However, you should not let it overwhelm you and make you feel uncomfortable and messy. Instead, you should leave some of your lawn un-mown and allow some wild plants (also known as weeds!), to take over areas of your garden.

Taking care of wildlife may not feel like your responsibility, but your home will most likely be built on top of theirs and taking up valuable space that they need. Attempting to make your garden more wildlife friendly doesn’t cost a fortune, but it will make life a little better for the creatures with whom we share our world.

Do you do anything to encourage wildlife into your outside space?

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