Plant a wildflower area in your garden

Every flower counts…………

How to create your own mini wildflower garden

Wildflowers are very important as they help maintain a healthy eco-system. They can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects into your garden that feed on the wildflowers and make their home in them. In turn these insects help to fertilise our crops that grow produce for us to eat and the insects are food for other wildlife.

To help you get started, Eastleigh Borough Council are giving away packets of wildflower seeds to help you produce your own wildflower area in your own garden.  The packet contains 20 grams of seed.  Allow for five grams covering a square metre so your packet should cover around four metres.

The packets of seeds will be available for collection (one per household) from Monday 16 September on a first come first serve basis and are available from:

• Eastleigh House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh  SO50 9FD
• Hedge End Town Council Offices, 2000 Centre, St Johns Road, Hedge End  SO30 4AF

Please note: We are unable to reserve or post packets of seeds

Prepare the ground
Choose a sunny patch in your garden for the wildflowers to grow. This can be as small or large as you have space for.

Prepare the ground thoroughly, you could choose to scarify a patch of grass or produce some bare ground and remove any weeds from the chosen area. You can do this either by digging or you could use a weed killer. Once the area has been cleared, lightly cultivate by scratching up the surface to create a layer of fine soil ready for seeding. Wildflowers grow in poor soil conditions so there is no need to fertilise the soil. Remove weeds such as nettles, docks and couch grass.

Sowing Instructions

We recommend sowing in Autumn (late September/October). This is the traditional time and will help some of the species which require vernilisation (colder temperatures for germination) to flower and this will ensure a full show of colour the next year.

1. Sow the wildflower seed either by hand or with a seed spreader. We recommend sowing the wildflower seed at five grams per one square meter of soil.
2. Rake the wildflower seed into the soil and moisten the ground well.
3. You could cover the newly seeded area of your garden with netting to protect from birds and cats
4. Ensure the soil is kept moist during hot, dry periods for the best germination.

Top tips for sowing wildflower seeds

• When preparing the soil avoid using fertilisers or manure as this encourages grass growth which crowds out the wild flowers.
• Early on you can remove any weed seeds that germinate with a hoe.
• For best growth it’s important that the soil is warm and doesn’t dry out. Ensure you water the soil regularly particularly if there is a hot spell
• Allow your wildflower garden to grow up and flower in the late spring and summer.

Good luck – thank you for helping to plant for pollinators and enjoy your wildflower garden.

Advertisements

RSPCA Hedgehog Advice

To read more click link

September Walk

This was last month’s walk. If you would like to join us for our September walk we will be meeting at 10:30 outside the Hiltingbury Farmhouse on the Community Hall side on Tuesday 3rd September. We will be taking a leisurely walk of about three miles. Everyone is welcome to our friendly group.

New Badminton Club at Sports Centre

Older Driver Promotional Events

Hants police and Thames Valley Roads police team  have identified an increase in accidents involving older drivers and want to help reduce this.

The events are to help promote and raise awareness of the Older Drivers Forum and how it can help and support Older Motorists to carry on driving safely for longer. We also give advice to Family and Friends concerned about Older Motorists. We will give advice on:· Brushing up your skills

• Booking a driving assessment
• Arranging a regular eyesight test (or a quick test with Specsavers at the event).
• Health and well-being issues that could affect your driving ability
• Renewing your licence at 70
• Learn more about road safety and the consequences of not being fit to drive
• Discover alternatives to driving and staying independent without a car
• And much more

The initial events are planned for:

Monday 30^th September – New Milton Community Centre – 0945 – 1500

Wednesday 2nd October – Haskins Garden Centre, West End – 0930 – 1500

Thursday 3^rd October – Elvetham Heath Church, Fleet 0930 – 1500

Apart from the series of promotional events around the county, information can be found at this link https://olderdriversforum.com

Bournemouth Road Closures

Flexford Nature Reserve safety concerns

Nigel Williamson launched a one man campaign to bring the state of the footpaths through our local nature reserve to the attention of the Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the NMDCA. He told the editor of the Miller’s Tale that he has had responses to his document, offering a donation from the council and assurance from the Wildlife trust that they will organise contractors to address the issue.

To read the document click here