PanamaTimes

Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Garden expert reveals how to create a biodiverse space on a city-center balcony

Garden expert reveals how to create a biodiverse space on a city-center balcony

It is possible to create a biodiverse garden on your balcony or terrace – this expert shows us how it’s done

The appeal behind a biodiverse garden is unending – these spaces not only benefit the local habitat but our wellbeing, too. However, just because you live in a small urban area doesn’t mean you need to miss out on all the fun.

Cue Frances Tophill, the celebrity garden expert and TV presenter, bringing biodiversity to modern gardens of all sizes – from a lush country patch to a small window balcony overlooking the cityscape. In an exclusive interview with Livingetc, Frances revealed how to create a biodiverse space in a small urban apartment – and we’re rushing to follow her ingenious advice.

How do we create a biodiverse space in a small urban apartment?




‘In urban areas, there are so many little gardens - whether it’s a balcony or a windowsill or a tiny little courtyard. So, there is a real opportunity for people to make a massive difference to wildlife survival,’ Frances begins.

‘You have to think of your little garden being a part of a larger habitat. Your garden could be a tiny patch, but if your neighbors are doing it, then you end up with a whole host of little gardens where the wildlife can find a haven,’ she adds.

So what steps can we take as individuals to makes sure we're contributing to this larger habitat from our city center balconies?

Use your vertical space




‘Use the vertical space. Grow climbers, especially things that are good for pollinators and good for nectar, such as honeysuckle or passion flowers. Maybe even some spikes or very thin hedge plants that you can tie in that give the birds a nest where they are safe from cats and dogs,’ Frances shares.

Introduce water wherever possible


Perhaps the quickest way to promote biodiversity is bringing in water that will particularly make a difference for the birds who will have a space to wash and drink. ‘Everything needs water to survive. The crucial thing about bringing water in is that loads of insects have part of their life cycle under the water.'

'You will really increase the amount of wildlife and different species that you can cater for in your garden,' she adds.



Choose your plants wisely


‘With everything that you’re planting, make sure you’re thinking about how it will benefit the wildlife,’ Frances explains. ‘Never choose bedded plants that have double flowers because they are infertile. Always make sure that you’re picking plants that have accessible nectar because, in a small space, every single plant counts.'

‘Choose things like climbing roses, which is a really nice thing to do in a wildlife-friendly small garden, because they grow vertically and have a few spikes which can provide nesting for birds. Make sure you choose roses that grow rose hips in the winter. On a small scale, every single plant that you choose counts,’ Frances adds.



Now we have no excuse not to embrace the wild side – wherever we are.


Feeling inspired? Frances has teamed up with Weleda - the original green beauty brand - to encourage people to reconnect with nature and support biodiversity through its #GetGreenFingers campaign. For more information, visit their website.

Newsletter

Related Articles

PanamaTimes
0:00
0:00
Close
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Global Law Enforcement Dismantles Lockbit Ransomware Operation
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died at the Arctic prison colony
The President of Argentina Javier Mile does not fly private, he flies commercial, with the citizens he represents. And they LOVE him for it.
Bitcoin Reaches $50,000 for First Time in Over Two Years
Belo Horizonte: Brazil's Rising Carnival Hotspot for 2024
In El Salvador, the 'Trump of Latin America' stuns the world with a speech slamming woke policing after winning a landslide election
Tucker’s interview with Putin is over 50M views on X within the first 5 hours.
Finnish Airline, Finnair, is voluntarily weighing passengers to better estimate flight cargo weight
President Nayib Bukele has proudly announced El Salvador's remarkable achievement of becoming the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Former Chilean President Sebastian Piñera Dies in Helicopter Crash
This farmer seems to understand science a bit more than the event organizer, Klaus Schwab.
Facebook turns 20: From Mark Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1trn company
The Coolest Dictator in the World" on the Path to Victory in El Salvador
Macron, France and fake news
Indian-Origin Man 'King' Arrested For Smuggling $16 Million Drugs Into US
Can someone teach Americans that not every person with slanted eyes is Chinese?
Europe's Farmers Feeding the People, Protesting Against Politicians Who Do Nothing for Their Country and Serve Only Themselves at Taxpayers' Expense
Paris Restaurant That Inspired 'Ratatouille' Loses $1.6 Million Worth Of Wine
Brazilian Police Investigate Bolsonaro's Son for Alleged Illegal Spying
Police in Brazil Raid Residence of Bolsonaro Associate Over Allegations of Illegal Spying
Border Dispute Escalates as Texas Governor Vows Increased Razor Wire
OpenAI Enhances ChatGPT-4 Model, Potentially Addressing AI "Laziness" Issue
The NSA finally acknowledges spying on Americans by acquiring sensitive data
Report Reveals Toxic Telegram Group Generating X-Rated AI-Generated Fake Images of Taylor Swift
US Border Patrol States 'No Plans' to Remove Razor Wire Installed in Texas
Bitcoin Experiences Approximately 20% Decline in Value
Klaus Schwab recently appointed himself as the Earth's "trustee of the future."
DeSantis Drops Out, Endorses Trump.
Nikki Haley said former President Trump is "just not at the same level" of mental fitness as he was while president in 2016.
Residents of a southern Mexican town set the government palace on fire in response to the police killing of a young man
Samsung Launches AI-Driven Galaxy S24, Ushering in New Smartphone Era
Judge Questions SEC's Regulatory Overreach in Coinbase Lawsuit
The Ecuador prosecutor who was investigating the television studio attack, has been assassinated.
Is artificial intelligence the solution to cyber security threats?
Vivek Ramaswamy suspends his US election campaign and endorses Trump.
Viral Satire: A Staged Satirical Clip Mistaken as Real Footage from the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos
The AI Revolution in the Workforce: CEOs at Davos Predict Major Job Cuts in 2024
Ecuador Reports 178 Hostages in Prison Gang Standoff
The Startling Cuban Espionage Case That Has Rattled the US Government
Two Armed Men in Ecuador, Dressed as Batman and The Joker Storm the Streets.
Armed Gang Raids Ecuadorian TV Station Following State of Emergency Declaration
Anti-Democratic Canada: Journalist Arrested for Questioning Canadian Finance Minister on Support of Terrorist Group
Ecuador's 'Most-Wanted' Criminal Vanishes from Prison
Mexican Cartel Supplied Wi-Fi to Locals Under Threat of Fatal Consequences for Non-Compliance
Border Surge Leads to Over 11,000 Migrants Waiting in Northern Mexico
Outsider Candidates Triumph in Latin American Elections
As Argentina Goes to the Polls, Will the Proposal to Replace the Peso with the Dollar Secure Votes?
Fatal Shark Attack Claims Life of Boston Woman Paddleboarding Near Bahamas Resort, According to Police
×