- Thomas Rutter, a gardener with experience in prestigious estates, demonstrates how his 5m x 1m balcony garden in Tottenham significantly contributes to urban biodiversity.
- His personal project proves that even limited outdoor areas, such as window ledges or balconies, can become vital havens for wildlife, a concept he champions in his book, The Ethical Gardener .
- Rutter highlights simple yet effective methods, including providing water for birds in saucers and cultivating specific plants like fennel, agastache, and Verbena bonariensis that attract pollinators.
- He advises selecting plants that flower across different seasons, from early spring blossom (e.g., crab apple trees) to late autumn (e.g., ivy), to ensure a continuous food source and habitat.
- Further recommendations include using large pots for trees to provide structure and shade, underplanting with annuals or bulbs, and, where space permits, leaving small 'messy corners' for wildlife shelter.
IN FULL
Gardening expert shares seven ways to help wildlife thrive in your small garden
