With eight years’ experience as a gardener working in the beautiful Gower, South Wales, I have had the opportunity and privilege to observe and learn from nature within our gardens. What I have witnessed has been inspiring and beautiful, at times harsh, but increasingly concerning—most notably the visible decline in insect populations, amphibians, and mammals.
Further research has revealed that the UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, having lost approximately 97% of its native wildflower meadows and 70% of its ancient woodland. Current agricultural and land management practices have played a significant role in this decline.
Several commonly used practices continue to threaten the health of our gardens and surrounding natural areas. These include the use of insecticides and pesticides, strimming long grasses and hedge lines, aggressive cutting of hedgerows, and excessive removal of garden ‘waste’, and maintaining overly tidy gardens during the winter months.
This clearly highlights the urgent need for change. Small, achievable changes made by individuals can help restore healthier ecosystems within our gardens. With approximately 23 million private gardens across the UK, these collective efforts have the potential to create a significant positive impact—not only within our own spaces, but across the wider, interconnected environment.
Over the past few years, I have actively expanded my knowledge through seminars, webinars, online courses, and specialist literature focused on gardening for wildlife. This has included learning about the needs of bats, moths, butterflies, birds, and small mammals, with the aim of creating gardens that are biodiverse, organic, and rich in natural food sources, shelter, and nesting opportunities. This will influence my business model moving forward.
