Mary sat on her sunset bench enjoying the last of the day’s warmth and the quiet of the evening. Her husband Bill, had been buzzing around all day asking one question after another. Should he put the train set up in the garden? Where was the bird food kept? Would they want to pick some tomatoes? His enthusiasm was seemingly unstoppable. While fielding his questions, she’d systematically tackled several batches of baking. Tomorrow their daughter Lucy, and her family were comin

Do you have any favourite tips for helping animals, birds, insects and amphibians get through the winter? I've read that bees in particular like a south facing room (with a sea view?) so that might be something to consider when locating your hotel. For more information about wildlife friendly garden design, contact me at heather@hmgardendesign.co.uk #Wildlife #GardenDesign

Today I posted a snippet on social media about 'Incentive Gardening'. I put these two words together and came up with this definition; 'to consciously combine gardening with another activity with the aim of reaping greater rewards'. The reason for this is that some people are distinctly nonplussed with their gardens but with an extra incentive could gain so much more from their outside spaces. I used an example of creating a place to practise yoga or meditation as a motivatio

Do you have any favourite tips for helping animals, birds, insects and amphibians get through the winter? Hedgehogs get thirsty so you can leave a tray of water out for them, but don't give them milk as it can make them very poorly. For more information about wildlife friendly garden design, contact me at heather@hmgardendesign.co.uk #GardenDesign #Wildlife

Mary had finished making chutney and was chilling out on the patio with a glass of wine. Her husband Bill had just phoned to say he was bringing his friend Johnny back from the pub with him and they’d pick up a takeaway en route. Although it had been a scorching hot day, the early evening had brought a cool breeze, so she sat on the sunny patio outside the back door. As she sipped her wine, Mary thought back to their wonderful world tour, just after they'd retired, and their