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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 6 flowers that feed birds all summer long
Bird-lovers will be delighted to discover that these flowering plants will keep birds coming back to your garden as they provide them with nourishment and shelter If you're a fan of these feathery creatures, experts have shared the top flowers you need to plant to keep birds flitting about in your garden. Birds are delightful creatures, filled with personality and unique behaviours that make them fascinating to observe. What's more, they also play a pivotal role in your garden's eco-system, as they contribute to key processes like pollination and seed dispersal. One of the best ways to encourage them to your home is by growing plants that provide them with food and nesting materials. Plus, given that bird numbers are dwindling in the UK, this is more important than ever. According to government data, bird species across the UK have declined by 2% between 2018 and 2023. One of the biggest causes of this are modern farmland practices according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird's (RSPB) State of Nature report 2023, which is largely due to the use of fertilisers and pesticides, which impact bird's food supply. Luckily, garden design expert Calum Maddock at has shared the six flowers you need to plant to make your home extra appealing for birds. Sunflowers Sunflowers are a summer favourite, as they instantly brighten up any space with their broad yellow leaves. The good news is that they also attract birds. According to Calum: 'The many seeds packed at the centre of the flower heads provide nourishment that is rich in oil throughout the autumn for seed-eating birds such as finches and nuthatches.' Honeysuckle As well as providing berries, honeysuckles are a great source of shelter for small birds like thrushes, warblers, and finches. They will also attract insects during the summer months, providing a further food source for birds. Rowan Rowans are known to produce masses of creamy white flowers that entice birds. Calum advised: 'Depending on the species, you can expect your rowan tree to bear berries from late July through to November.' Hawthorn Hawthorn is a flowering shrub which produces berries that attract birds such as blackbirds, redwings, fieldfares and starlings. Plus, Calum adds that the leaves will also attract caterpillars, which are 'an excellent food source' for baby birds during spring. Ivy Calum shared: 'Ivy is another plant which doubles up as a fantastic source of both food and shelter. The blackberries which appear in winter provide much-needed food for a range of birds, such as thrushes, starlings, jays, finches, and blackbirds.' Holly Holly berries will keep birds satisfied during winter, as they are enjoyed by birds such as song thrushes, blackbirds, and redwings. Calum added: 'Just make sure that you plant a female plant and a male plant close together, as only the female produces berries, but the male is needed for pollination.'
Tom's Guide
04-06-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
5 easy vegetables to grow in pots in June
You don't need a large garden to grow your own vegetables. Although having a dedicated vegetable patch is ideal and will give you ample room to grow a whole range of crops, it's still possible to harvest tasty vegetables grown in pots. So, whether you have a balcony garden, a small patio, or a decking area, you can still enjoy the experience and the end result of growing an edible garden, regardless of the size of your outdoor space. And, even if you do have a larger plot, there's no reason why you can't add a few vegetable pots to your patio. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) states that although vegetables can be grown all year round, the most popular time is between April and October. And while the first few months have passed, there's still time to get planting. You may like Even if you've already got a crop of vegetables growing in your yard, you can still plant these 5 easy vegetables in pots in June. (Image credit: Shutterstock) If you fancy something hot and fiery to add to your summer salads, radishes are the perfect vegetable to grow. And apart from adding some heat, they'll add a touch of bright red too. Calum Maddock, gardening expert at HomeHow says, 'Salad radishes are quick and easy to grow from seed and can be grown in even the smallest of spaces. Thanks to their short roots, they are one of the best vegetables to grow in pots and will not need overly large containers to flourish.' They are also quick to mature and will usually be ready to harvest in as little as three weeks, making them a great choice for budding young gardeners. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For best results, Maddock says, 'Plant them in a pot with a diameter of at least 8 inches and a depth of 10 inches. They will require regular watering to keep the soil moist, ensuring even growth and succulent roots that don't split.' 2. Spring onions (Image credit: Shutterstock) Spring onions, also known as scallions, are another easy-to-grow vegetable that can be added to summer salads, stir-fries, and a whole host of other dishes. Maddock says that spring onions don't require much space to grow, which makes them ideal for growing in pots. He advises planting spring onion seeds in pts with a diameter and depth of at least 12 inches. 'Place the pots in an open, sunny site and add rich, well-drained soil that should be further prepared by adding a good quality fertilizer,' he says. Then, once planted, he adds, 'Make sure that you keep your crops well-watered so that the soil does not dry out.' Spring onions are usually ready to harvest about eight weeks after sowing. The most well-known variety is White Lisbon, which is particularly fast-growing and reliable. 3. Kale (Image credit: Shutterstock) One vegetable I've been eating more of recently is kale, and I'm not the only one enjoying this green-leafed veggie. In recent years it's achieved superfood status. 'It's tasty, nutritious, and easy to grow,' says Maddock, 'Kale is a member of the cabbage family and works wonderfully both as mini salad leaves and tasty greens for cooking or adding to smoothies.' When choosing a variety to grow in a pot, Maddock recommends selecting a dwarf or compact variety, such as Dwarf Green Curled kale. He also suggests mixing it up, 'You can even grow one or two kale plants in a pot along with your annual flowers or perennials.' You can buy kale plants from your local nursery or opt to grow this vegetable from seed. Whatever you choose, Maddock suggests growing kale in a pot that is at least 12 inches in diameter, with 8-10 inches depth for root growth. It will also benefit from a well-draining potting mix. The joy of growing kale, apart from it looking ornamental, is that once you harvest it, it will keep on giving. This means you don't have to rely on an abundance of plants for a plentiful harvest. 4. Zucchini (Image credit: Shutterstock) Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables to grow in my backyard, as I enjoy adding it to all sorts of dishes, including risotto and even bread. Additionally, it's a prolific crop, and I've only ever needed to grow two plants to achieve a bumper crop. Although if you have space to grow more, your friends, family, and neighbors will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor, too. If you don't leave it too late in June, there's still time to plant zucchini seeds, place the seeds one inch deep and position the pot in plenty of sun, keeping the soil moist. Alternatively, zucchini plants can be potted straight into your container. It's best to choose a bush variety of zucchini when growing in a pot, such as Cue Ball and Bush Baby. And the plants will appreciate a pot that's at least 18 inches wide, with plenty of drainage holes to avoid root rot. Zucchini plants require a lot of nutrients, so choose an enriched soil and feed them every one or two weeks with a high-potash feed — a tomato feed is ideal. 5. Beets (Image credit: Shutterstock) I grew up watching my grandma cooking up fresh beets pulled straight from the soil. But despite seeing the growing process from seed to plate, I never quite appreciated the taste of beets. A few decades on, it's now one of my favorite vegetables to add to a summer salad. Apart from cooking this colorful vegetable, beets can be eaten raw, pickled, and even roasted. It's a versatile vegetable that also adds a burst of color to a plate, and as an added bonus the leaves are also edible. When growing beets in pots, it's best to choose a round variety rather than an elongated one, which will require a deeper pot. Fill the pot with multipurpose soil, sow the seeds thinly (about 8 inches apart) and cover with compost before giving the soil a light water. Then, position the pot in a sunny position. What you need to know when planting vegetables in containers The RHS advises that smaller pots can result in the vegetable plants not receiving sufficient moisture and nutrients and recommends aiming for a pot that is at least 18 inches deep and wide. If you plant your vegetables in anything smaller, they will need watering and feeding more frequently. Watering your vegetables in pots One issue of growing vegetables in pots is that it's easy to overwater them. This can lead to waterlogged roots, which ultimately results in root rot and a very poorly performing plant. Overwatering also causes a depletion of nutrients as they get washed away. However, vegetables in pots rely on being watered, as their roots are restricted and can't pull in moisture from a wide area, like vegetables planted directly into the soil. To avoid overwatering, the RHS recommends keeping the compost moist rather than soggy. More from Tom's Guide Today's best Gardening Gloves deals Deal ends Mon, Jun 9, 2025
