After returning from northern France, the lack of biodiversity/insect life in the UK is shocking. I can’t possibly convey the difference in one tweet so here’s a 🧵of just how nature depleted we are, even though the landscape, climate & species (historically) are almost identical Let’s start with verge management - I know I only tweeted recently about this, but it helps explain where a lot of our biodiversity is now confined to/lost in the UK. There’s a more relaxed approach and in many cases laws preventing the cutting of these mini meadows…

1/9 - This is one of the biggest contradictions I’ve seen. @The_RHS, THE MOST INFLUENTIAL #gardening charity in the UK, whilst promoting Plants For Pollinators, are still endorsing “WEED”KILLERS! 😡 “Inspiring everyone to grow” (except the wildflowers) Don’t believe me?👇🧵 2/9 - Whilst not actively selling this product on their own website, it’s available via @jennychem_. What sickens me more is the detail in which various weed killers are described to eradicate different “weed” species, INCLUDING my favourite #wildflower Bird’s-foot trefoil! 😡

1/12 - EVER WONDERED WHY DANDELIONS ARE HATED SO MUCH?

They’re considered “weeds” because they were a poor person resource and not having them was a status symbol. It starts in Europe...👇🧵 2/12 - In Europe dating back to the 1500’s & even earlier, you could only have manicured lawns if you had money & owned land. Nobility had land & they demonstrated their wealth by hiring people to cut the grass & dig “weeds” out by hand. It was a demonstration of money & power…

As a little thank you to everyone who has decided to hit that “Follow” on my profile, here’s a few tips that you can follow to help attract more #wildlife to your own #garden: 🧵

1. Don’t cut your hedges/bushes at this time of year - birds in particular will eat the berries. 2. Leave some long grass around the edges of your lawn. Many insects/caterpillars in particular will overwinter at the base of this vegetation. You can always cut back in #spring when things warm up.

In order for #nature to thrive, we need to create a mosaic of habitats nationwide and adopt this principal in our own #gardens. From woodland to scrub, #meadows to short grass and #ponds to wetlands. A variety of habitats is best for species diversity. 🧵 Even in a 50sqm garden, we can have most of the above mentioned habitats but on a smaller scale. Small trees such as Rowan, Crab Apple and Elder can work really well in small areas without getting too big or casting too much shade.