CHIRPY CHIRPY CHEEP CHEEP
by Luisa Ferrari
Birds make wonderful wild pets, ecologically sound and totally self-sufficient.
They not only bring life into the garden but are also a valuable help in its organic
maintenance, preying on pests such as aphids, snails and many others. The best way to
encourage birds in the garden is to provide water in the summer. When the rain is scarce
and gutters are no longer full, a birdbath can be vital, both for bathing and drinking,
and will attract many species.
A simple terracotta underpot, at least 40 cm wide, will cater for the smallest birds up
to wood pigeons (birds with larger bodies and wingspans will need more space to land and a
heavier container for the landing). It will need to be placed on a solid pile of bricks or
similar temporary construction to form a small supporting ‘column’ at least 80
cm high. It is very important to ensure that its positioning does not turn it into easy
hunting for cats. Therefore, either crowd the base of the column with planted pots to make
a wide barrier or make sure there is ample viewing space for the birds to see them
approaching (birds are slower to fly off when their feathers are wet). Remember that the
birds can become quite reliant on your birdbath and once they become regular visitors you
should not disappoint them by forgetting to replenish the bowl daily and keeping the water
clean.
Foxes aside, birds are not however the only creatures we can attract in a Stoke
Newington garden. Frogs, toads and many interesting insects also add another dimension to
gardening and will find their way to small ponds and water features. It is very simple to
create mini water features from pots, tubs or barrels that can fit the smallest garden,
patio or even balcony.
Containers should be waterproof and weather resistant, with an ideal capacity of
minimum 27 litres (6 gallons). The smallest one is perhaps a 60 cm clay pot with the
drainage hole plugged or sealed and the most traditional an old glazed sink (cover glazed
surface with a coating of PVA glue and a mixture of 2 parts peat -1 part sand - 1 part
cement applied by trowel. When dry, paint with a slurry of mud, yoghurt and cow manure for
a weathered appearance) or a half wooden barrel of untreated and tightly fitted,
waterproof panels (otherwise line with strong black plastic sheeting or paint inside with
bitumen paint).
Containers can be buried in the ground (more accessible to wildlife), stand on the
surface or be raised on bricks etc. Water plants can be stood in pots or small baskets on
bricks to adjust depth.To avoid your mini pond becoming a smelly puddle, which only
attracts mosquitoes, a submersible pump is essential, easy to install and a not too
expensive piece of equipment. Ask your local garden centre for advice on small pumps for
miniature water features, or try also specialist aquatic garden centres such as Wildwoods
Water Gardens (Theobalds Park Rd, Crews Hill, Enfield, Middx EN2 9BP).
Luisa Ferrari is a garden designer and consultant. She is the London correspondent
of the Italian gardening magazine Giardini and can be contacted on 020 7249 6762. |
