When seasons slip: How to maximise your garden for plants and wildlife

As frosts arrive across the UK – later than usual this year – we’re exploring how to give nature a helping hand when the seasons fall out of step. In this installment of our wildlife ponds mini-series, Helen Bensted-Smith walks us through her top planting recommendations for different aquatic habitats. Wisley Garden Manager Mark Tuson also reveals how his team turns fallen leaves, cuttings, and woody material into valuable resources that enrich the soil, strengthen plant health, and boost biodiversity. Finally, we head to East Sussex for a tour of the iconic Arts and Crafts gardens at Great Dixter – home of the late garden writer Christopher Lloyd – guided by Head Gardener Fergus Garrett.

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Fergus Garrett, Helen Bensted-Smith, Mark Tuson

Links:

Choosing pond plants

Invasive non-native plants

Aquatic weeds

Chop and drop

Mullet gardening

Write in with your gardening questions to: [email protected]