My Wildlife Front Garden Tour - April

In this video we take a full tour of my wildlife garden in mid April and see what is flowering and what wildlife is turning up!
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To find out more about how you can help wildlife, what I do to help wildlife and to follow my work, please see the following:
To find a vast array of wildflowers, pond liners, birdfood, habitats and more, please see what we do here:
wildyourgarden.com/
Wild Your Garden - "Create a sanctuary for nature" - My latest book on how you can help wildlife in your own garden and how to install all the habitats that your local wildlife will need to thrive. Complete how to's and step by step guides. Buy your copy online here:
wildyourgarden.com/product/wi...
Hazelwood Landscapes - Where you will find photographs and case studies of some of the projects I have undertaken over the last 16 years and how you can enquire if you would like any advice / help with your own garden:
www.hazelwoodlandscapes.com
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For consultations, talks, television enquiries, design workshops, landscaping enquiries, film making and book enquiries, please visit:
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Thank you for watching and if you have any suggestions for future videos, please comment on the video or get in touch via one of the platforms above.
Many thanks,
Joel Ashton
#GardenTour #WildlifeGarden #Garden #GardeningForWildlife #JoelAshton #WildYourGarden #WildlifeFrontGarden #WildlifeGardening #WildflowerMeadow #WildlifePond #BackYardPond #Pond #FormalGarden #HerbaceousBorders #PlantsForPollinators #Bees #Butterflies

[@user-fv8rn4gi3x]

Honestly mate that’s one hell of a front garden with so much going on! Please keep us updated with anything that’s visiting/living in the garden as it’s always nice to see the successes of your hard labour! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, I really appreciate this. I cannot quite believe how much it's come on in just a year. Absolutely I'll keep everyone updated and hopefully inspire more and more people :) Thanks ever so much for your encouragement and support, it does make a difference. Best wishes - Joel

[@maryodoherty4789]

So lovely that kids are stopping to look and wonder at your beautiful front garden. Inspiration for their parents! Looking forward to seeing it grow.❤

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Me too Mary, I can't wait to bring regular updates now, seeing all this new life and thinking about the wildlife that will be attracted certainly made this a great hour in the garden, the sun helped! Best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@george-1961]

Fantastic to see your brilliant front garden Joel. Absolutely love it. The perfect inspirational example of what, although on a smaller plot, a wildlife garden is all about 👌👏😉

[@helenhawkins4054]

Wow how it has come on .I remember the garden from the beginning. Glad the book is doing well.👍

[@CheshireCat6639]

Here here 💯👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@helenhawkins4054 Thank you Helen, appreciated ☺

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@george-1961 - thanks George, I really appreciate this. Hopefully it will continue to convince traditional gardeners that wild doesn't mean messy, it can be beautiful for people and helpful to many creatures in need of our help right now.

[@SisterDogmata]

Hey Joel! The garden is looking amazing, it looks like it's doing it's job of attracting the wildlife already. So lovely not to see a manicured lawn! It seems you're a couple of weeks ahead of us with the plants flowering already, I can't wait for the rain to stop and see everything bursting into life after such a wet winter. It really shows how much you can pack into quite a small space and what a difference it makes. Best wishes.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, I'm really pleased with it, and was even more pleased to find an hour to actually be out there and take it all in. Can't wait to share the rest of it with everyone, I forgot to mention the plants either side of the insect hotel but I can do this next time. So glad that you enjoyed this, there will be many updates to come :) Best wishes, Joel

[@Knit333]

Love this way of gardening. 5years ago we had a very boring frontgarden... Poor dry soil and full sun most of the day. I started with adding mulch (collecting leaves in our street), carefully weeding with my hands. I now no longer think of Garlic Mustard as a weed. And you can never have enough Honesty. The Spurge (a small wild version) which I tried yo get rid of for years is now welcome. The soil is completely covered in plants and retaining moist in the summer. At this tme of year birds are collecting their nesting materials in our front garden. I am really enjoying it all.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Yes, yes and YES! So good to read this, it's absolutely made my day! Thanks for being a brilliant advert about how rewarding gardening like this can be, and the visitors that you get that are free :) Thanks so much - best wishes, Joel

[@iforester4449]

It is a brilliant book, very clear, accessible, unpretentious and practical, the plant lists are great. It offers lots of opportunities to get involved as local residents and support wildlife in lots of ways in our community.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much for this. What a wonderful review and I'm very grateful to you. This channel was started after the book, and then the www.wildyourgarden.com shop set up - because people were asking where they could get the same plants, pond supplies etc that I used. So I then worked with my specialist growers and suppliers who weren't set up to sell to the public, and the shop was born. Every grower and supplier cares as much as we do, and I've worked with them for circa 20 years now for these reasons. Thanks again for your kind words, a wonderful end to a Monday :) Best wishes, Joel

[@kathrynnorman2253]

What a beautiful house and an equally gorgeous garden ❤❤

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you, it's only a small house in comparison to most in the UK, but it's an expensive part of the country to live in, only about 50 minutes from the centre of London. But I'm very grateful, thanks for your kind words - best wishes, Joel

[@Readingandgardening]

Liked this before I even started watching because i knew I’d love it 😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Liz, thank you, I really appreciate it. Hope you find the channel helpful, we have such a great community here. Very best wishes, and have a great weekend - Joel

[@AmirsAllotment]

This is absolutely amazing! Carefully planted and looks so mature already which is amazing. This is just so inspiring Joel 😊🌱👌

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Amir, I really appreciate that. Even I am surprised how much it has matured and changed in just less than a year. I just wish, like you, I could spend more time doing this, although of course I am not complaining about the day job as I get to create lots of new vital habitat nearly every day - was just so good to actually have time to spend an hour in it yesterday and to be able to make the catch-up video for everyone. Hope you had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@fiona12451]

Absolutely beautiful...🌼🌸🌿 Makes me want to do more with my own front garden...🐝🐞🐛 Thank you for the inspiration...🙏🌞💚

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much Fiona, this is exactly why I decided on a formal garden for wildlife, a showcase to explain and demonstrate to other people that wild doesn't mean messy. It of course will still be too informal for some, but I hope it helps change a few views and that front wildlife gardens become a trend. Very best wishes, Joel

[@lynnthomas3029]

Wow, your garden looks amazing! I love your insect hotel, I will definitely be adding one to our garden. Thank you for sharing your garden with us.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're very welcome Lynn, I'm so glad that you enjoyed this. I'm really trying to demonstrate to traditional gardeners that wildlife friendly gardens don't have to be messy :) I really appreciate the encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@Natureneedsus]

If I were a bug, I’d move in! 💚 it. I watched your pond video loads when setting up my own, such a great video filled with information. I for one am a TOP FAN!! 😂👍 good on you Joel. 🙏🏻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

How lovely to read this! Thanks so much and I'm so glad that another vital habitat was made and I expect you are seeing the rewards for your efforts already :) Not sure if you have seen the most recent video about No Mow May but I think you might like it! I really appreciate the support and encouragement, best wishes - Joel

[@Natureneedsus]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I shall watch it thank you and yes the rewards are endless with ponds and habitat, I have a medium sized garden and I have put in two ponds, two tyre ponds and a stream, with the worst tools known to man and my bare hands! I’m so proud of it, all still water for wildlife, I have hibernaculums, log piles the works, first year I had tadpoles this year, they make me smile! I’m addicted! Plus nesting robins after 3 years trying!!! Haha legend Joel, I have learned so many tips and hints from watching your videos over time 💪🏻👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@Natureneedsus I really am so grateful, to every single person that has created habitat, small or in your case large, what a place it must be! Well done, really well done - don't give up at any point ☺

[@tomasck2973]

I'm always so surprised when I see you guys growing Lunaria in full sun, it burns to a crisp where I am in Argentina

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

We certainly don't get the same amount of sun as you lucky people there! ☺ Lunaria used to be so much more common when I was younger, calling it the "money plant" because of the seeds inside those delicate white purses :) Best wishes - Joel

[@annahemmings3437]

Hi Joel Been waiting for this video!! 👏👏👏 The front garden looks absolutely brilliant and it’s so inspiring to see. Thank you for sharing !! I’ve just been watching the tadpoles in my small garden pond - Spring is finally here. Your Wildlife Book has already been purchased and I would highly recommend it for excellent ideas and information for helping wildlife thrive in our gardens 🦋

[@CheshireCat6639]

I was up at silly o'clock for a brew and thought,oh what to watch? Your front garden of course. Loved it,I hope your neighbours follow your passion . The large white 😮 when I was 12 I was catching them on my dads cabbages,as you do, I only wanted to look at them,then let them go,but I cut my shin deep on wire, needed 11 stitdhes and meant that I couldnt go on my yearly stay on my Grans farm in Littleport/Ely. Hence it took me along time to love them again😢 my bad not theirs ! I am definitely going to purchase that book,never heard of water boatmen for years, we used to swim in our local outdoors pool in Marbury/Cheshire,it was full of them,boy they were fast ! Ty Joel for sharing your beautiful insect laden front garden🦋🐛🐜🐌🐝🪲🐞🦗🕷🕸🪳🦟🌾

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Oooh, ouch!! That's certainly something that could put you off a butterfly or two! So glad that you enjoyed the video and I really appreciate you buying the book, there's a vast plant list in the back too, but I'm always here if you need any other help. Thanks for all your support and encouragement, I really appreciate it. Very best wishes, Joel

[@Martello1847]

Loved this video Joel.Shows what can be done with a small garden! Can’t wait for the catch up on the Mason bees.Mine are are all ready buzzing around here in Dublin!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you! I can't wait for them either, so many canes already filled with mud. I just wish I could be here every day to keep checking but with working all over the country it's only really weekends I get to see it. But I know it's working :) Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel

[@onechristianwallace]

You inspired me to plant a pollinator friendly garden. Much love from Kenya 🇰🇪.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is so good to read! I am so so pleased to receive your message, I hope you get to read my reply as I'd really like to see this - please write to me and send a photo or two to [e-mail] - very best wishes, and thank you so much - Joel

[@allisong6]

I'm also Essex and in awe Ur rose's are flowing now!! I saw my first brimstone butterfly ever this year felt truly amazed Definitely recommend having a few cabbage in garden 1 really pretty but saves your veg for eating a little bit

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hello! South east Essex and I certainly am wondering whether this front garden being totally south-facing has encouraged the growth and can't believe some of the roses are out now :) I really do hope this encourages people to just plant one brassica species for these overlooked white butterflies, they don't have to be in a border, they'll easily grow in containers or pots :) Thank you, best wishes - Joel

[@ronroelevink7097]

Unbelievable how much you have growing there. And as wild as it is, it is also looking great. A little wild oasis!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I was getting pretty "wild" last night when trying to battle the laptop to get this up in time! Thanks so much, hopefully the next few updates won't be as stressful.... Have a good week! Best wishes, Joel

[@ronroelevink7097]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton And you!

[@jamescunningham1973]

stunning Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you James, appreciated ☺

[@absurdistsloth]

I feel like I’ve been looking forward to seeing this update all winter! Delighted to see how it has progressed in just one year. Since I grow many of the same plants in my small urban garden in Ireland, I love to hear you say specifically which insects lay eggs or feed on what plants. Over the winter, I purchased some native bareroot trees and shrubs after seeing how many of those larger species you pack into your small spaces. Now I couldn’t be happier to see them all leafing out for the first time and providing more habitat! 🐝 I learn so much from this channel, so thank you! 🌱😄

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I'm so very pleased to read your message 🥰 messages like yours make all the effort and work worthwhile. When I started out 20 years ago it was difficult enough convincing clients to put up a bird box or two... then DK contacted me about writing the book... then the YT channel and every step of the way it's been helping and encouraging others to help wildlife that's been my main aim. So when I receive messages and comments like yours I don't think people can quite imagine what it means to me. There are habitats being created all over the world in small spaces, larger acre sites and I still believe it's one of the only ways we, as individuals, can make a difference. Yes, there are larger organisations out there fighting the bigger climate picture, but the goals seem so far away and so many creatures are in desperate need of our help right now, and I'm elated at the amount of people that really care. Very best wishes, and thanks for your encouragement and support - Joel

[@user-mi2ws1ed4u]

I spent a good amount of time to discover the botanical name of your lovely blooming Erysimum bowles mauve. The undertitles for german viewers of your video named your flower „Arisan bows move“.🙈😂 Thanks for your great videos!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad you found it, but this did make laugh! Sorry about that, but your investigation skills are 100% - have a great weekend and thanks for the encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@lisaroberts8135]

You’ve inspired me so much to take a leaf out of your book and copy some of the the lovely things you’ve done to your garden . I’ve a barrel pond and alpine section a log pile and I’ve started my first compost concern . I must have more daisies and dandelions in my lawn than grass and for the first time I’m not going to try and get rid of them! My next plan is to create a little woodland corner ! Thank you Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So good to read this Lisa, it really is. This is what the channel is all about, providing as much free info as is feasible, and encouraging many more habitats for the wildlife so desperately in need of our help. I really hope this front garden, and others doing the same will encourage the more traditional gardeners and ensure they understand that wild doesn't mean messy, at all. It's all about setting an example, and you're certainly doing this, along with so many other viewers and I couldn't be happier :) Thanks for your encouragement and support, it does make a difference. Best wishes, Joel

[@1son8043]

The broccoli looks nice when it flowers, the forget me not will be all over the garden next year they spread like mad I've got them all over my wildflower medow now from one small bunch I had in one of my flower bed.

[@BabysLastCoffin]

Thank you so much for being a constant source of inspiration!! Planted a lot of Erysimum mauve flowers after seeing this and already saw many bumblebees visiting them. Much love from Belgium!

[@malcolmbell5266]

Great video Joel. One thing I love to see you do on your channel is pond plant maintenance. Pond plants aren't cheap and it would be great to actually see some maintenance tips. Like how often and when to cut back different pond plants. If you do get over to NI this year I'm going to have so many questions for you lol

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Malcolm, I have every intention of coming, I promise - still waiting on so many things to make it viable for you but when I'm there you can ask me anything you need, best start making a list! I actually thought about the maintenance side of the plants and pond and you've nudged me to do this. I'm not around next weekend but hopefully the weekend after I will have equally glorious weather and be able to do an update and at the same time speak about the pond plants. Hope you're both doing well - best wishes, Joel

[@thelittlethingsinlife239]

Your garden is looking great Joel and so good to see such variety. Great to see a bit of hawthorn there, which ive said in the past is one of my favourite trees and of course red Campion 😀 The pond is amazing and is a true asset to the local wildlife. Keep up the great work as always - mick 🙂👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Mick! Thank you, and yes hawthorn and red campion take some beating! I'm so pleased with it this year, I of course had a plan in my head but never imagined it would get to this stage so soon. Hopefully it will encourage others - hope you and yours are well, best wishes and thank you again - Joel

[@thelittlethingsinlife239]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Hi Joel, Ticking over at this end and looking forward to all the changes and joy that spring gives us. I parked up by a hedge today which was full of sparrows squabbling 😁 I sure sign that the seasons are changing 🙂👍

[@ArranOfAlba]

Love you bro, you encouraged me to go study horticulture! cheers mate

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow, thanks so much for letting me know, this has made my day :) Good luck in your studies and I hope you go on to achieve exactly what you want and inspire others to think of wildlife too in this industry. Best wishes, Joel

[@ChopsyMiche]

Absolutely love, love, love this. It looks beyond beautiful💜 It looks stunning, it really does. What a remarkable job you have done. You have balanced it perfectly and everything has been picked and chosen with absolute purpose. This is going to look divine throughout the summer when everything is awake and showing off its beauty and flirting with the gorgeous insects and pollinators. What an absolutely wonderful and captivating garden. Pure beauty to brighten any day. Thank you so much for this wonderful update. Excited for more now🌻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Oh there's more coming, I promise :) A wonderful description, as ever - thank you. Catch up soon :)

[@gloriairizarry4576]

Hi, thank you so much for the tour, I was waiting for it, your front garden is so beautiful, loved it🌻🐞🦋

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much 😊 I really appreciate this and for the encouragement and support - best wishes, Joel

[@thaojuli]

Happy to see your front garden again, with more flowers, more plants than last year I saw. It's a wonderful garden, I can smell all flowers and plants there, so nice smell 😊 I really enjoyed watching videos 🥰, can imagine people walking and wondering why are you talking to yourself 😆. But thank you to take your time to make great videos.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Haha! Only a couple of passersby noticed, but they also stopped to chat for a little while, which was fine but did make me lose track of what I was speaking about! Thank you so much for your support, it really does mean a lot and knowing that you're enjoying this from Vietnam is quite incredible, I'm very grateful. Best wishes, Joel

[@thaojuli]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton it's amazing wilf life, isn't it? Haha! So I will send you pics of Vietnam sometimes, hope it's not turn to spam mail hahaha 😆

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@thaojuli Not at all! I have seen another email from you, just going through a few and will get to it. But please do send emails, it's so nice to connect with people all over the world and know that they care too. Looking forward to learning more about where you live 🥰

[@thaojuli]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton thank you, I will do, take pics and share to people who care is my favorite 😊

[@twotonenavy]

Your front garden is looking amazing, my friend! It's almost hard to believe it was planted last year! Well done! 😁

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I actually sat there thinking "was this last year... or the year before?" before I started filming, it certainly does feel like it's been there longer. I'm so pleased it's established so quickly and attracted so much already, cannot wait for the end of May to see what turns up - just wish I wasn't working away so much and could keep track better! Hope you had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@Narnendil]

Such a lovely garden, Joel! Great to see all the different flowers and wildlife. Thank you for the tour!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed this - best wishes, Joel

[@EnglishMadeleine]

Yay! The video we’ve all been waiting for 😂😂 What a success your front garden has been. Now, of course, we’re all waiting for the video of the back garden 😉. I did my bit for the common white last year - my cabbages were a great hit with them and they were absolutely covered in caterpillars 🥰

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Haha! About time hey? If I can get into the back garden before the neighbours start up their power tools and don't have too many teenage visitors (!) then I might stand a chance of getting through a 10 minute video... So glad that you're already sharing your cabbages, I expect they were very grateful. I really think that as we used to see so many of them, they have almost been neglected while we concentrate on the more beautiful (debatable!) species - rather like the loss of house sparrows whilst we were all rejoicing in the success of Goldfinches in the garden... Thanks for helping them Madeleine :) Over the next few weeks I'll try to get into the back garden before 7am! ha - Best wishes, Joel

[@featherlock4817]

Inspirational! I hope, and am sure, that your garden will encourage many people to create similar in their own outdoor space....even if it's just a pot on a balcony. Every little helps! 🤗

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much - I hope so too, there has been so much interest from neighbours and passersby, even people in town saying "you're the guy with the wildlife garden out the front..." and people actually do stop and chat about it with each other the other side of the front wall. But like you say, even a pot on a balcony could be a life-saver for a pollinator in desperate need of sustenance, and allow them to fly on to another place - one day I hope that the majority of our gardens make up one huge patchwork of sanctuaries :) Best wishes, and thanks for your support - Joel

[@adrabruzzese7610]

Wow amaaz8ng how much you packed into your beautiful front gatden. Thank you for all this impirtant information.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You are very welcome, and I'm so grateful for your message of encouragement and support - best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@kingfisher3011]

I have a few saplings of alder buckthorn which seems pretty hard to come by Also planted a mini spinney with spindle trees which should be interesting in a few years

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hello again! We do have the alder buckthorn on the site but only from November time due to it being bare-root, but well done on getting some and a mini spinney sounds brilliant - keep me updated :) Best wishes, Joel

[@kimwatts5750]

Garden is looking lovely, thank you for sharing with it with us Joel😀🌼🐝

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Kim, appreciated. Due to working away a lot I don't get to see it that much so it was really nice to just be out there and see everything developing. Best wishes, Joel

[@evalindell2757]

Brilliant small frontandens you have there! Love it! ❤

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much Eva, it was really nice to actually be able to spend an hour out there and of course the sunshine helped! Hope you had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@itsmewende]

Really has filled in and looking beautiful. I absolutely love the bug hotel, it's beautiful as well. I hope you get a chance to get to France soon, I'd like to see how that project is coming along too. Lastly, I never think to look at the community tab, I'll have to try and keep an eye on that.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Wende! So good to hear from you :) Yep, planning to go to France in the next 2 weeks but lots to sort out first this side, so not guaranteed yet. The bug hotel has certainly been a talking point, and I do hope it's encouraged others - as I've said before, they don't have to be this big at all, but it was a centre piece to get the message across. See you on the Community Tab! :) Hope you and yours are doing fine - best wishes, Joel

[@sydneygardener540]

Thanks from Sydney, Australia. Love watching your shows Joel. If you have already, forgive me. One day could you take us to Gravetye Manor, Sussex. The home of William Robinson? Matt

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Matt, absolutely I can. Several years ago Nikki bought me William Robinson's book about his journey that ended up at Gravetye, and everything he did. It's a pretty swanky place now though, at least £800 per night to stay there and I think you have to book a garden tour to see the areas. I was only thinking last summer about finding a way to access this garden without a crowd, and now you've made me think about it again. If I can do it, I will :) Best wishes and thanks for the support and encouragement. Joel

[@kingfisher3011]

Just ordered some stitchwort from yr shop for my front mini meadow it will notch up to 24 species so far ! I also have a buch of garlic mustard turn up in one of my tubs result !!!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Brilliant, stitchwort is so often over-looked. 24 species is just brilliant and well done on the garlic mustard, look out for the OTs and keep me updated! Best wishes, Joel

[@lvurbanfarming9001]

Simple but brilliant book. A must read a must have. Learned so much. A gift to Mother Nature really. Thanks Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you for this, I really appreciate it! So glad that it has been helpful and I hope the channel brings even more help and advice to everyone - have a great weekend and thanks again, Joel

[@ozdigg9254]

Yes, wonderful! I am thrilled with it in Western Australia.

[@keithroberts42]

Hi Joel, great to see your garden developing. Hope the weather warms up a bit, looking forward to what may visit my wildflower area. There are areas that haven’t really worked so this video can be a blue print of what to try. I hope I get Skippers in my long grass, I last saw one in my garden a few years ago. Hoping for more butterflies too. I’ve planted nasturtiums for White species in the past and it works a treat. Here’s to a good year for our insects. Regards

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Keith, you must come and see it in "real life" one day, we're not that far away and I'd love to show you around and take you to see the Marbled Whites, oh and the Heath Fritillary in the woods local to me :) Thanks for thinking of the Whites too - best wishes, Joel

[@keithroberts42]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton that would be amazing Joel ty

[@Jimmyandtony]

Was looking forward to a garden tour of your garden for quite a while! Really happy to see this video posted! Please bring more garden tours in the future. Once I finish my back pond, I will send you pictures. Your channel has been very inspiring and I've done quite a bit with my yard because of your videos! all the best

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So glad that you enjoyed this Jimmy. I've seen your pond now and the hard work you've put in, it will be so very rewarding for you and I can't wait to hear what turns up. Hopefully I'll make it to the USA in the next couple of years and be able to see it in person. Very best wishes, and thanks for all your kind words and support - Joel

[@Jimmyandtony]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I would love that! Thank you so much for all the guidance, All the best

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@Jimmyandtony Me too, and you're very welcome. Thank you ☺

[@Jimmyandtony]

Hi Joel! The subsoil of my pond is very poor. It’s so poor and sometimes rocky that I’m not sure if it can support the marginal plants or maybe even emergent plants. Is it nothing to worry about? Of course, this is my first wildlife pond! Thank you very much Jimmy

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@Jimmyandtony Hey Jimmy - don't worry about a high stone content, as long as you can physically plant them then they will do fine, but if you feel you need to add any topsoil when planting, just DON'T allow any to be in contact with the water, this will add nutrient and cause a feeding ground for algae. Feel free to send me any photos when you're done and ready for plants and I'll happily help - best wishes, Joel

[@geo.m1639]

Love the video

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you - lots more to come :)

[@Beregar79]

You guys already have flowering plants - I'm jealous! The spring weather in my area is very unpredictable this year. Today we have up to 15 degrees but a few days ago we got snow and next week it's (maybe) heading to negatives again for a few days. We had extremely cold winter this year with a lot of days reaching below -20 celsius and it seems like winter is not about to give up quite yet... basically the only things flowering are spring bulbs, coltsfoot and greenhouse grown pansies. Even trees are not leafing up yet but there are some signs they are starting to do so. Bumblebee queens are already out in numbers but I wonder where they are gonna get food what with not much flowers being around. They don't seem to show much interest in the crocuses this year which is odd as they normally do so.

[@lyndalambert9639]

Looking amazing Joel as I knew it would💚😍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

One day you need to come and stay and see this in person Lyn, I'm so pleased with how it's looking after just 12 months and so much new growth :) Stay tuned for tomorrow evening as I'm being rather controversial in the next video! Filmed whilst at work today as I've been relatively silent for 3 years but had enough today! It's ok... it's not THAT controversial! Ha :) Speak soon x

[@lyndalambert9639]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Now I'm intrigued! x

[@eliasdk9559]

Amazing Joel! My wildlife garden here in Denmark is still a few weeks behind yours. But catching up nicely ;)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So exciting at this time of year, watching all the new growth and promise of even better things. Thanks so much, best wishes - Joel

[@maryhairy1]

How lovely!

[@jackstone4291]

Everyone can’t have a pond in their front garden 3metres squared. Many people don’t have the space for that. Or any front garden at all. We all do what we can IF we can right. And if we’re aware of it all. You do a great job and don’t stop spreading g the rewilding love!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Jack, I appreciate this, I really do. There's always a barrel pond... one of the first videos I ever uploaded to YT, several years ago, I hope I've improved somewhat since then and now realise about the sound - but hope this is helpful to anyone that reads this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpnchopnpZmFmtk We sell all the plants needed at www.wildyourgarden.com and they're all from the small specialist growers that I've used for 20 years in my own client projects. I'm determined though that more and more people have the right information and that it can be accessed by all. People join my channel because they genuinely care about the wildlife, and I'm so grateful for that. Best wishes, and thanks again - Joel

[@deepbluetree]

Absolutely amazing video! I loved this small tour ❤ As a non native living in Norway I would love having some of the names up on the screen to follow as I can't always catch the names of the plants

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much! I will try to remember next time, this particular video was awful to edit, my laptop crashed 3 times losing everything I'd edited, hence the late upload. If you wanted to write to me and let me know at what points in the video it was difficult to hear then do drop me a line at www.wildyourgarden.com and I can help - best wishes, Joel

[@carolyncarlon9870]

Volume is very low…had to turn on closed captions (cc). Gorgeous front yard! Oh my!

[@Polofr0g900]

Volume was okay for me, might be the different devices!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Carolyn, I've looked into this for future videos and I think I might have solved it so that everyone can enjoy it - I'm glad that you were able to enjoy the tour anyway, lots more to come and hopefully a lot easier to watch :) Best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@nickiramsay2421]

Your garden is looking fab 😍 I’ve got a similar looking shady woodland border area in my back garden. My favourite flower in it is hedge woundwort which just threads itself amongst all the red campion,bluebells and foxgloves. I think I spied some coming up in yours next to the close up of the cowslip. I keep trying to grow Pulmonaria for the hairy footed flower bees as I know they love them but it doesn’t seem to take in my garden 😢. Thanks for the inspiration 🌻🐛🐝

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You did spy some! Well done! Sorry to hear about the Pulmonaria, it does like shade and would be great in a woodland border - if you have trees though they might take up a lot of moisture and it does like it relatively damp. I hope this helps - but it sounds like you have a fantastic garden already :) Best wishes, Joel

[@matthewgardiner6793]

Hello Joel greetings from a beautiful Autumnal New Zealand.. have been looking forward to garden visits show casing wildlife habitat and in particular, your own front garden.. it’s looking great👍 thanks for sharing

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Matthew! Good to hear from you, I have a few garden visits planned this year, but in a month or so I absolutely can't wait to go back to an old abandoned house from the late 1800s that was purchased, not for redevelopment or rebuild, but purely because of the very old and mature wildlife garden it had and still has. One very generous gentleman bought this so that it would not be destroyed nor the wildlife harmed, and I can't wait to go back in a few weeks and film this for everyone. Very best wishes, Joel

[@matthewgardiner6793]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Hi Joel, the garden visits are what I look forward to the most not only for their ideas for wildlife habitat but also for their beauty.. I shall look forward to this particular posting/ film .When are you coming out to visit NZ Joel?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@matthewgardiner6793 When do you want me?! 🤣 I'd love to visit, I really would but it's a long way, although no doubt worth every mile travelled. So glad that you liked the front garden, there will definitely be more updates but because I work away most of the week across the country on projects it's difficult to fit everything in, and I really wish I could spend more time in my own garden. Not sure if you saw the "short" earlier but there's a fantastic garden I hope to be sharing with you all in the next 2 weeks. Stay safe, and stay in touch - Joel

[@UkAmphibians]

Amazing what a garden 🐸💚🐸

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much, ashamed to say that I actually forgot to mention the 19 newts in there! So much to remember and trying to get it all in before another neighbour stops to chatm mid take! I wondered why the frogspawn earlier in the year disappeared literally over night! Luckily loads in the back garden pond and the tadpoles doing well yesterday. The "toadpoles" seemed to have avoided the newts but I understand that they're not nearly as nice, taste-wise, to newts so that may be it. I'll get some footage as soon as I can but this pond is pretty deep, no doubt why the toadpoles and newts are in there. You'll know more than me on this though :) Hope you had a brilliant weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@UkAmphibians]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton that’s brilliant to hear yes if you can get some footage of your back garden too and your pond that would be amazing 🐸💚🐸

[@user-mf2lv5jh3n]

Great to see what can be done in an average sized front garden, thanks for that 🥰

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're very welcome, and I'm glad that you enjoyed this - I've been trying to convince traditional gardeners that a wildlife garden doesn't have to be a "messy" garden :) Have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@clarefoskett9959]

This was so excellent!😊🎉

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Clare, really appreciate it - best wishes, Joel

[@novarafan6423]

Amazing!!!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@user-oj7tr7xc4n]

Hi already got your book love what you do . Love from Devon

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I love that you love the book! I really am grateful, I'm so pleased that the channel has helped create so many more vital habitats for creatures desperately in need of our help right now. Very best wishes, and much love to Devon! Joel

[@michellesleaford4748]

This is beautiful Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Michelle, so much :)

[@janiedunn637]

Absolutely adore 😊 your front garden 🪴, looking 👍🏻 Joel. Really looking forward till the 🌺 coming out more with 🐞 etc. The bits of 🪵 & small bits of a 🌲 cut last year near my 🏠. Just lying onto the pavement.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Janie, thank you so much. Hope your husband is feeling a lot better now. I'm glad you like the front garden, and I'm glad you have taken those discarded tree remains and allowed them to be a habitat for nature still. So many trees cut down on a whim these days, and it's way better to recycle them how you have done, than for people to go out hunting for fallen branches/trunks that have been in situ for a while, taking these means denying those creatures already using it in the countryside. If you can get to tree surgeons before they start chipping the remains, they'll usually happily give these away for free. Best wishes, Joel

[@novarafan6423]

Lovely thank you ❤

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you :) So glad that you enjoyed this tour - many more to come! Best wishes, Joel

[@novarafan6423]

Yes I've been making my garden better for wildlife using your and others videos and was rewarded with 4 hedgehogs romping round the garden tonight which I've never seen before in such numbers

[@TheCornishCottageGarden-bs5lf]

Looks amazing! 😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much - have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@Polofr0g900]

Great video, beautiful garden!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much. More updates to come :)

[@gillianmillard2446]

Looking so good now, nice to see it evolving, thanks Joel 🦋

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Gillian, glad you enjoyed this mini tour - many more to come - best wishes, Joel

[@TanglemireGardens-ni8vz]

I have ourchased this book and have found it very interesting. I have now been inspired to start my own channel about gardens and ponds - Tanglemire Gardens. Keedp up the good work.

[@davidcobb8422]

Brilliant video Joel looking absolutely fantastic mate in one year.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks David, so much. More updates to come and so many more plants to share with you. Best wishes, Joel

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

My honesty is purple

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wonderful, I'm hoping next years will be :)

[@RevLetaLee]

So inspiring. I'll have to go check out whether I can get some of these plants in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and what I can put in place for those I can't. I have been in hime for 3 years and have done the back but despaired of finding what I wanted to do in front. Now I have a better vision. Thanks for the work you do and for showing it to the world. I love it!

[@Hayley-sl9lm]

I'm in the Pacific NW USA, not sure what city you're in to recommend nurseries but for seeds I've been getting them from NW Meadowscapes (NW WA), Silver Falls Seed Co, Willamette Wildlings and Steel Acres Seed (Willamette Valley). I don't know if you mean pond plants though...

[@normancoutts]

Great to see. I'll need to get building and planting again! My Wild Your Garden style pond is now in its 3rd year and the 3 new native trees in their 2nd, and there are several mini bug and beastie homes already in place. Not to mention the bird boxes: one of which has Bluetits nesting with us for the first time. All down to you and your videos Joel. Cheers!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Great to hear from you Norman, hope all is well with you and yours. Sounds like the pond is very rewarding, and I'm not surprised - great re the native trees, bug hotels and bird boxes. All great to read about. I'm really grateful for the support and encouragement, thanks ever so much. Best wishes, Joel

[@kingfisher3011]

Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Kevin, so much - your generosity knows no bounds! Seriously, I do appreciate it, I really do. Best wishes, Joel

[@kingfisher3011]

I bought some stitchwort also from your shop It grows here locally in abundance so it should thrive here !

[@wildlifegardener-tracey6206]

I've always planted brassicas for the Whites Joel. Sadly another common butterfly that is struggling at the moment. The number of bees using Forget-me-not in our garden, a pretty plant that is very popular. Garlic mustard visited by our first Orange tip yesterday. My lawn is developing so well now it's shaded but there's still lots coming up in it. A great video more relatable to folks with smaller gardens. Appreciate all your work around the country Joel. Thank you for all your dedication to wildlife.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I knew you'd relate to this Tracey and be one of those that has noticed the severe drop in these just as precious butterflies. I've had brassicas in pots in the rear garden for a good few years now, and it results in lots of caterpillars but then again a fair few wasps hunt them out of course, another reason there are so many eggs laid. With the front garden, as people already stop to ask me about it, I wanted to give more food for thought (!) when they ask me about these non-traditional plants in the herbaceous borders, and hopefully send them away thinking about the last time they saw white butterflies in abundance. Thanks again for all your support and encouragement - best wishes, Joel

[@eywasdaughter]

This is wonderful Joel, it's growing up absolutely beautifully 😁👍🦋. Looking very verdant 🌿. Was very happy to see (biennial) Honesty growing at Martin Mere yesterday - it just glows, such a rich and regal gorgeous shade of plum-violet. Speaking of white butterflies, the pupae on my back door that I've been waiting months to hatch, sneaked into life a few days ago and Iissed the whole thing! 😅🙄. That's Nature for you! But I have seen a few Speckled Woods out already, which was wonderful to see. Forget me nots are one of our favourites too, great little flower that seems to grow just about anywhere. Big fan of thistles too - really stunning and should definitely be grown more widely in wildlife gardens as they are a nectar powerhouse. Hope you get clouds of brimstones and orange tips fluttering through your garden very soon! 😁🦋🌿. I think verbena bonariensis is a brilliant addition to the meadow even if non native - it attracts so many pollinators! Is the mystery plant in your meadow teasel? 🤔😃. Wow - that's a LOT of life going on in the pond; just shows that it doesn't need to be a big source of water to attract large numbers. Brilliant! 😁👍🐸

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much, so glad to know that you're able to get out and about so close to you and enjoy nature, aside from in your garden of course. I wish I didn't work away so much, when I see the Brimstones and OTs when I'm out and about I do wonder if they're flitting through the garden yet, undetected. I'll be egg-hunting on the right plants when I get a chance though. In my rush to get the video out I actually forgot the 19 newts counted in the pond, they're no doubt responsible for a loss of frog-spawn over night a month or so ago, but the toadpoles (!) have designed themselves to taste pretty awful to newts apparently, which is why these guys made it. Hope you and yours are well, best wishes - Joel

[@janestringer7225]

Really interesting Joel and inspires me even more to do in my (and my neighbour’s, who gives me free rein) front gardens. It is north facing so only gets a partial sun. Great video!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Jane, so glad that this has helped. I just wanted to show once more that wild doesn't mean messy - I'm sure it's the vision of a garden full of brambles that puts most people off - even last year at Chelsea they leaned on nettles, brambles and what are still considered "weeds" in one of the show gardens, and I don't think it converted many people. They're all absolutely important but try keeping a bramble in check in a small garden! Those plants just need to be appreciated in the wider countryside and larger areas. Well done on helping your neighbour too :) Best wishes, Joel

[@marthaschermann5562]

great job Joel. I can't wait to start planting my front slope garden. I just purchased 2 different colors of blue lobelia, two varieties of pelargonium, two varieties of lambs ears and two varieties of lavender. I am finally ready and my thumb is much better from breaking it pulling out that daffodil last year. I had a bunch of dead nettle and oxalis in the front but the city made me cut it down because they were weeds. What do they know. They want me to have a perfect lawn like everyone else on the street, I say no way. Keep up the great work.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So frustrating, cities that purport to be all for stopping climate change, including biodiversity in plans etc..etc... the majority of it green-washing. I am not saying that there aren't larger organisations and charities out there doing good work, but the long-term goals are so long-term. I've always believed that we can all make a difference to creatures in need of our help, right now and in our own green spaces and gardens. Well done on resisting! It sounds like your garden is going to be a showcase too. Very best wishes, and keep up the fight - Joel

[@LouciferFlump]

Can you do a vid/give any advice on good plants for wildlife as per different soil types and levels of shade versus sunshine? Many of these lovely wildlife friendly flowers really struggle on my heavy clay. Equally, some people might have quite shady gardens that can pose problems. Great content, your front garden is fantastic! 🖤👌🏻

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - I do usually mention the soils that plants prefer, but in more specific videos on different species - I'll try to remember for next time but I work with all soil types when creating habitats whilst working for clients all over the country. If you wanted me to suggest some for your situation then I'm happy to help - please send an email to me at [e-mail] - best wishes, Joel

[@charlotteseden9303]

The garden looks very pretty Joel. You did a great job. I love the pond and bug hotel the most. Next you have to show us your back garden.😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Charlotte, thank you. Yes, I really need to find time to get out and do some more videos of the back. I thought that it would be a challenge trying to get this video completed without people stopping to chat etc. However, this time it was easier than trying to film in the back garden, my neighbours are neither stealthy nor quiet and there was lots going on, so I'll have to get up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday to achieve this without the sound of power tools etc! Best wishes, Joel

[@charlotteseden9303]

I totally understand. It's hard to make videos with all that going on. I guess when you are famous, everyone wants to talk to you😊There is no rush at all. Take your time.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@charlotteseden9303 🤣 I remember constructing the insect hotel.... I was asked if it was an "outdoor bar" that I was installing... imagine sitting having private drinks in an urban front garden! 🤣 Lots of older people stopping to say that the pond wouldn't work, why wasn't I having koi fish in it, without a pump it would be murky.... I hope I've demonstrated now that I knew what I was doing! I'll get to the back garden soon, but thank you again - best wishes, Joel

[@charlotteseden9303]

I guess some people are a little nosey😊 But you showed them. That's funny about the bar. I really want to build one myself this year. I love making all the habitats for critters and insects. Makes me very happy. Don't work too hard. Take care.

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

I absolutely love your front garden Joel, it actually makes me quite emotional. If only everyone put even 1 element of your garden into their own it would make such a massive difference. We have had brimstones visit the garden for years but there are no bucktorn in the area. Acouple of years ago I decided to plant 3 common buckthorn for them but I don't think they have ever utilised them. They are in a shady woodland area so I'm wondering if that's the issue?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there! I received your email - apologies that I've been unable to respond properly yet, but I did receive it! I am so glad you like this little front garden, two years ago I was determined to try to show people that wild doesn't mean messy and try to convert some of my more traditional gardener neighbours and I think it's working! You'll of course know this already but so many of our "blousy" flowers we see in garden centres wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the beautiful and over-looked wildflowers that they were bred/hybridised from. Anyway, Alder and Commom Buckthorn are absolutely the right trees, the Brimstone will prefer to lay on those that have some sun and potentially produce more leaves as food for the caterpillars - although considering how few Common and Alder Buckthorn there seems to be in the wider countryside, it would surprise me if these shrubs haven't been used in the past. The best time to check for the caterpillars will be the second half of May when they are more obvious, like the photo I used in this video. In the garden video from May last year - you will find it on the channel - I do show the eggs too but it does take some effort in distinguishing them, which I guess is the aim of the "parent" :) I hope this helps, will be in touch real soon - best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks Joel. I think your front garden is genius. Particularly the fact that you deliberately chose to make the pond etc angular shaped rather than curvy which gives a certain formality to a wild planting scheme and works so well in a front garden. I may move one of the bucktorn into a sunnier spot

[@fishtales2597]

Happy St Georges Day Love the garden, here in wales some plants are flowering earlier than usual. Just wondering if you have noticed the same.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

And to you too! The front garden has certainly come on more re plant growth than the back garden. It's south facing and obviously gets a lot of sun (when the weather allows!) but everything has really come on this year :) Best wishes, Joel

[@emtronea1]

My back garden is currently green with semi and evergreens,with bluebells on the side and dying hyacinths and my front garden has cylmans and elephant ears with winter pansies that have triple pettled themselves which is very odd 🤪

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I am wondering what's going on this year... this front garden faces south so am thinking that will have something to do with the growth and even the roses in more or less full flower now.... Your garden sounds great :)

[@31Blaize]

Fully agree on the no mow summer. My mum came round last summer and commented on how the sound of the grashoppers that called it home reminded her of her childhood 😁Any tips on how to get the garlic mustard to thrive? I put some wild-gathered seeds down last autumn but none of them have come up sadly. My wildlife pond is doing well though, seen quite a few inverts and even had a smooth newt hanging out in there recently!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there! So good that it brought back memories for your mum - I've just finished doing a new video that I want to upload asap, and it's about mowing - I've been reading and seeing so much ambiguous information lately that it compelled me to do a video specifically about this - hopefully it will mean the grasshoppers have a home longer than just 4 weeks in some gardens! ;) Forgive me if you know this already of course, but GM is a biennial, like honesty and native foxgloves, so the first year it will just be a basal rosette rather than produce flowers. It's best planted directly where you want it, about 1cm deep and keep them around 15-20cm apart. If you wanted to kick start it then we have the plug plants ready here and you can place them exactly where you want them: wildyourgarden.com/product/garlic-mustard/ They don't mind shade, they grow at the bottom of hedgerows etc - in fact I filmed a video about them last week on this site, but the mowing video has taken precedence for the moment! :) Best wishes, Joel

[@31Blaize]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton planted mine under a rhodedendron hedge but all I can see growing at the moment are foxgloves, cowslip and willowherb. If nothing else pops up I may give up and grab some of your plugs instead!

[@lotus.b.lazuli2020]

This has come along so nicely! I learned a lot from the video of planting this, and it's making me smile so much, because as I type, many of these plants are starting to bloom and thrive in my own wildlife garden. I will definitely send you photographs once I've seen a bit more summer growth and got some more wood for the amphibian hibernaculum by the pond. (no frogs yet but fingers crossed!) I've also created mini woodland pathways to try to only compact the ground in specific permanent spots, and I've created insect highways and ant nest spots galore in the process. I also have a tonne of dandelions, and the funny thing I've noticed, is that as soon as one pops up, another is eaten by a slug! So many bees and hoverflies. Now I'm focused on the fences and a brick wall at the back. I want to be surrounded in green from floor to sky (so I can forget about my terrible neighbours!!) I think I need some native rambling roses, going to plant some hops, encourage the ivy, and see what happens! Thanks again for the update! x

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks so much, and so good to read about your own sanctuary for nature, there are so many rewards when gardening in this way and the visitors are free :) Please do send some photos in when you can, would love to see them. I do empathise re the neighbours, believe me. We have the native species of wild rose, hop and other climbers on www.wildyourgarden.com - and I'm always happy to recommend specific plants for specific spaces and the edges of gardens, ie fences etc are usually overlooked and yet such a good structure for so many vital plants. You can reach me at [e-mail] and every plant we sell on there is from the same specialist growers and small family businesses that I've used for circa 20 years now :) Best wishes, and thanks again - Joel

[@lotus.b.lazuli2020]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I've looked at your website quite a few times! I've been eyeing up a fair few things. It's my birthday next month so treating myself, and the wildlife! I've got to say, I made a horrific mistake right before you posted that video about not pruning right before winter, and I killed a glorious big buddleia... I just decided to dig out the dead one and added the wood to an insect pile, and now I have a gap between newly planted buckthorn and hawthorn. I didn't know what to put in its place as I have another big buddleia taking off on the other side of the garden now. It's quite sunny there, was thinking about a plum tree now I've seen this! I have a crab apple a matter of feet away, and an eating apple tree, so maybe that could work? Maybe the neighbours will be less annoyed at free fruit and a butterfly display?? haha... Either way, I'll drop you a line at some point this week if that's cool! Thanks again! : )

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@lotus.b.lazuli2020 That made me laugh! But absolutely yes, feel free to drop me a line at any point. I have been working my other specialist grower re a larger variety of potted trees, and all tested for max benefit to wildlife, although we can still get bare-root from the autumn too. Either way, when you're ready just drop me a line and some photos and I'll be happy to help. Speak soon, Joel

[@lotus.b.lazuli2020]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Will do, thanks for letting me know about the trees. Also, just ordered a sneaky hops and dog rose! x

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@lotus.b.lazuli2020 🤣I'm not complaining about early birthday presents! Seriously though, thanks so much for supporting this little family business, in turn you have supported another small specialist family business that cares as much as we do, and I'm so very grateful. Remember to drop me a line at any point, for any advice needed to keep improving your sanctuary for nature 🥰

[@tetsu3117]

Hi Joel, I really love your videos and have taken a lot of your advice on wilding my own garden. I’ve added gorse bushes and a barrel pond to my garden thanks to you. I do have a request/idea for a future video that I would really benefit from, and I’m sure others too - I have a small garden and 2 bouncy mastiffs that occasionally ruin flowers that I plant in the back garden. The amount of poo they leave means I can’t have a long flower meadow, but I’ve found clover and daisies are good low growing alternatives. Can you suggest any tough plants for wildlife that could withstand the heavy paws of a giant clumsy dog? Many thanks!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi, I wouldn't argue with a Mastiff to be fair... (kidding!) but having one GSD/Malamute, one GSD/Malinois and a straight Malinois means I empathise! The only way I got around this, and the GSD/Mal taking random dips in the pond, was to use post-and rail fencing, with some stock mesh in between the rails, meaning I could still see the pond and meadow - however in a small garden I appreciate this may not be viable. What you'd need to do is create a nectar lawn of low growing flowers, and there are many, to provide a reasonable length habitat and of course vital nectar. If you wanted to drop me a line at [e-mail] with a photo or two of the garden (and the dogs!) then I can take a look and recommend the best ones to plant directly into the lawn, or a seed mix for later in the year. Best wishes, Joel

[@dotnelsie]

Super-useful video as usual, Joel Thank you. Which direction does your insect hotel face?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there, thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed this - hotel faces south, for maximum sun and warming up - hope this helps, best wishes, Joel

[@ppetal1]

Fantastic Joel. Essex too! Hope your neighbours get their picks and sledgehammers and copy you. Are you north facing?

[@markgarcia5845]

Hi Joel. I love your videos. My Dell laptop doesn't play very loud. If you could boost your recording level, it would be a big help for me to enojy your videos. Cheers, Berkeley, California USA.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I'll certainly look into it Mark, sorry to hear that and I hope it didn't affect the viewing too much. Let me see what I can do - best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@Tofog22000]

So much biodiversity, brilliant!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you! So pleased with it already and glad I put in the effort last year now. Gardening like this is so very rewarding, in so many ways. Hope you both had a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@robertsmithshair4199]

Fingers crossed you get brimstones returning to your buckthorn

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I really hope so, I've not done too much delving but am hoping that some of the adults hunkered down in the insect hotel or elsewhere. Just wish I could be home every day to spot them... the thought of installing a Ring camera on the bug hotel crossed my mind at the weekend, then I imagined all the notifications I'd get if I set the settings too sensitively, aside from running any battery down! Best wishes, Joel

[@MKECBS1]

Hi Joel, can you please put the full names of the plants on this video as its difficult to work out the names sometimes and the correct spelling. Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - I can't add plant names once the video has been uploaded unfortunately. But I will try to remember for next time, it just makes the editing process so much longer when I'm pressed for time. However if you wanted to know individual species then let me know the time/s in the video and send an email to me at [e-mail] and I'll try to help that way. Best wishes, Joel

[@RG-yi2tv]

Joel, please can you list the names of the plants you talk about in your videos? I list in the description would be very helpful 😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there, I will try to do this when I can and wish I could just make YT videos for a living, particularly in winter (!) but the videos take a long time to edit, and to go through them all in the description would take longer. If there's anything you need help with and know whereabouts/the time stamp is in the video then I'll certainly try to help though :) Best wishes, Joel

[@RG-yi2tv]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks, Joel. Your videos are superb!

[@sallydavies2563]

Your garden looks beautiful. I watched the video of you making this garden just a few days ago so it’s belt see how it’s matured. I’d be a bit worried about cramming so many shrubs and trees into a small hedge/border - won’t they get a big big for the space?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Sally, thanks so much - quite a difference from a year ago :) I'll be coppicing the hedging trees so that they stay compact, not only to keep their size reasonable but to ensure they bush out and provide habitat for low-nesting birds such as Robins and Dunnocks. There is always a method to my madness :) Best wishes, Joel

[@linseyvanochten2926]

May I ask how you avoid the paving from moving around/collapsing so close to the pond? This is EXACTLY how I want my pond but I am afraid the tiles (they are 80kg) will move around without any edging to hold it in place.. it looks absolutely gorgous!❤

[@daniellepipe1601]

Such an amazing garden! Thank you for sharing. Can you let me know the name of the first plant you mentioned please? With the beautiful purple flowers that had the bees on it. I didn’t catch the name. Thank you!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Danielle, that's a cultivar of our native Wall Flower, a more yellow/orange colour but you will be more familiar with it than you think. This cultivar is Bowles Mauve :) Hope this helps and glad you enjoyed the tour, it was a perfect day for it. Best wishes, Joel

[@margielynch7196]

Do you plant milkweed for the monarch butterflies? I grow them every year and have been showing them to school children for their gardens.

[@Frostie3672]

I'm beginning to think trying to establish a wildflower meadow in a garden with hedgehogs active might be a non starter, just had to cut both oxeye daisy plants back to near ground level as each plant had been completely flattened by the hedgehogs, I'm gutted as they were close to flowering :/ I'm amazed the red campion is still standing though but I don't think my little wildflower meadow patch will ever look how I thought it would, the grasses are starting to grow bit they're being walked on by the hedgehogs as well.

[@CyberCatPhoto]

At least one copy of the book is shipped to Hungary. :-)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Great! So pleased to know the book is travelling well, thanks so much for buying - I hope it is proving helpful to you. Very best wishes, Joel

[@aileenjordan8151]

Hi Joel, I haven't noticed any frog spawn in my pond this year. There is a lot of duck weed in the pond can't see the water how could I get rich of it?

[@liannesim9558]

i am surprised, here in The Netherlands nothing is flowering yet ( April).

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

The front garden is south facing and I'm sure the short bursts of sun we have had have certainly helped in it's progression. It will come for you soon too :) Best wishes, Joel

[@phedrob3735]

Hello Joel. What was the name of the non native plant you spoke about immediately after talking about your roses?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

The big bushy purple one? It's a cultivar of our native Wall Flower, just as beautiful - but this one is Bowles Mauve. I'm working with my specialist UK grower at the moment to be able to feature these and more vital non-natives on the website soon. Very best wishes, Joel