Gardeners do too much over the summer and should kick back with a cold beer instead, according to TV star Frances Tophill.
The Gardeners’ World presenter is urging Britons to grab a deck chair from the shed, rather than the fork and trowel, and simply marvel as their garden flourishes into a ‘biodiverse’ oasis.
She says: ‘You can achieve a lot by doing nothing at all. Overly maintained and manicured gardens often lack a lot of what makes a green space biodiverse, which is a variety of plants.
‘Allowing a designated area in your garden to grow wild will naturally invite lots of different species of wildlife, from insects to birds, without you lifting a green finger – literally!’
Ms Tophill, who co-hosted ITV’s Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh, advises gardeners to relax with their favourite newspaper or take a day trip to visit public gardens.
Gardeners’ World presenter Frances Tophill (pictured) urges green-fingered Brits to kick back with a cold beer
Tophill presents Gardeners’ World alongside Alan Titchmarsh (pictured)
‘What could be better than getting out a deck chair and reading the paper, or even popping down to your local pub garden for a pint?’ she says.
‘And visiting gardens at this time of year is such a lovely pastime and can inspire you by allowing you to see which flowers are at their best and covered in pollinators in the summer.’
Ms Tophill, whose bestselling books include The Modern Gardener, believes that we should all, ‘try to ditch the lawnmower at certain times of the year to benefit ground-nesting bees and back-garden biodiversity, taking care when eventually cutting the grass that there are no creatures sheltering.
‘Also resist the temptation for too much deadheading in the height of summer. Let some spent buds go on to form seeds and fruits for animals to feed on.
‘The fact that people want to enjoy the benefits of bringing more nature and wildlife into their lives – according to our research findings – is a very healthy place to start for the nation to become more biodiverse.
‘Campanula, rudbeckia, veronicastrum, salvias, sweet peas and many more can attract all kinds of pollinators.
‘The key is open flowers with accessible nectar and pollen, so make sure flowers have stigma and stamen and that these parts have not been bred out in preference of more petals that have no use to bees and other insects.’
Ms Tophill advocates letting your garden ‘grow wild’. She also believes gardeners should encourage their children and grandchildren to get involved (Stock Image)
Ms Tophill also suggests that people should encourage their children and grandchildren to lend a hand in the garden: ‘Start ’em young and keep ’em keen’ is the best motto when it comes to biodiverse gardening with little ones in tow.
‘Happily, it’s super easy to do as children have a wonderful sense of curiosity and it’s often the case I hear from parents that children are happier outdoors.
‘Let them get messy, let them explore and discover.’
