WAYS WITH WATER

Water is a precious resource, says Stephanie Hafferty This month she looks at different ways it can be used efficiently and effectively in the garden to benefit both plants and wildlife

- Stephanie Hafferty

I am an early riser. There’s something magical about being outside as the day wakes up, connecting with nature before the busy-ness of human life starts around me. Sipping a glass of water infused with home-grown cucumber slices and lemon verbena, I take time to observe the garden and see what needs to be done.

Water is of course so important in the garden, and it is during the summer months that we fully appreciate what a precious resource water is. It is essential for wildlife, not only for drinking but also bathing. If you have the space, digging a pond is a wonderful way of creating much-appreciated water for all kinds of wildlife, but that isn’t practical for everyone. However, it is easy to create thrifty mini wildlife pools for your garden: all of mine have been made from odds and ends I had in the house or found objects in the garden.

WILDLIFE POOLS

Birds need a pool which they can drink from and bathe in to keep their feathers in top condition. Use serving dishes past their prime (birds don’t mind a few chips) or an old washing-up bowl. Place large stones or a piece of wood in the container, so that small mammals and insects can escape if they fall in, and fill with clean water. If you can, place it near to some bushes or a fence, so that the birds can perch and check that all is safe before bathing. Last summer I had the delightful experience of watching (from a distance) a mother bird bringing her young for their daily bath. Bathing birds, feathers all fluffed up, is a gorgeous sight.