Nothing is a weed. I have taken the decision this year not to pull up anything, even cleavers, and my garden looks wonderful. This garden has been mine for 13 years now and is well on the way to being a wood. Nature does it all. I do not accept that anything nature does is a “mess”.
Great to read this! Cleavers is a larval food plant for the Hummingbird Hawkmoth caterpillars, I remember as a kid if we'd walked home through wilder areas there'd always be some Cleavers that we inadvertently brought back with us. Your garden sounds perfect and you'll be rewarded for working with nature. What a sanctuary you are creating - best wishes, and thank you - Joel
Interestingly some of the most beautiful native plants in the USA have the word „weed” in the title. Joe pye weed, butterfly weed, weed this weed that just so we go out and buy tropical fancy sounding plants that will die in a season anyway. I scan all the „weeds” popping up in my yard and as long as they’re native I leave them be. It’s amazing how many new plants I discovered this way!
If I lived attached to your house I would be asking you to recreate your front garden for me next door. Your garden must give joy to everyone that passes it.
Thank you Harry, so much - just lovely to read this. It certainly has made people stop and look, I think it quite rare to see a front garden that's not completely paved or just plain lawn - someone a little while ago left a brilliant comment saying "what DO people need a plain front lawn for exactly? No one sits out in it, no one plays games on it..." - it certainly made me think. But since it's creation it's made people stop and ask about it - even at one point someone asking whether I was making a breakfast bar when the bug hotel was first being created 😂 - Thanks again Harry for all the encouragement and support, best wishes - Joel
Me too Nicky, although I've been doing this for circa 20 years, I really have seen a difference in the last 4-5 years and it's really encouraging. Best wishes, Joel
Diversity of plant numbers is key, and your design ideas are charming. We are in Washington state USA. My husband did No mow May 2 yrs ago, and now our front garden is native plants ❤ thank you for promoting going green 😊
Thank you Martha, so good to read this - I'm still trying to convince people that it needs to be longer than May, if you or your husband ever get questioned about not mowing, this video really might help: th-cam.com/video/iZRpX774ViI/w-d-xo.html Best wishes, Joel
Haha, this made me smile - a lot! I think you're doing exactly what is needed, and you'll be rewarded either way - thanks so much Tracey - best wishes, Joel
Well put Joel a clear explanation of rewilding/wilding. My garden is a little more on the wildside of tidy, a beaver was recorded on a Brook in Wolverhampton the other day. That's not too far from me. I was thinking, my pond could do with some maintenance, I wonder 🤔 haha.
Wow 😀 that's fantastic! And yes, your garden is a little piece of heaven in my eyes, it really is and you've certainly been doing it long enough to know what works. I hope you had a great weekend and you and yours are doing well. Best wishes, Joel
After watching your channel since last year, all I talked about was wanting a pond. On 6/12/24 we just installed a little pond in the back yard. It’s not big (8x10 pond and overall 11x14 with plants), but it’s a small attempt to give some refuge to whatever comes around. Just hours after it was finished and the pond was filled, we had birds taking a drink on the spillway, lots of bees drinking water from pebbles from “the beach” area, a butterfly came by and landed on the pebbles too, a strange looking bug eating the moss on the rocks, and a little bug was skating across the water. Our pond installer said, “if you build it, they will come.”
Hey there! So sorry for the delay in acknowledging you - it's been non-stop rain for a good few weeks here in the UK which has meant working late into the evenings and making the most of the light to keep up with projects. Just back from Slovenia too so trying to catch up with everyone now. But it's so good to read your message and to hear of all the rewards for considering the wildlife in your own green space. Well done, very best wishes - Joel
@@31Blaize Yes, absolutely - I was there nearly 7 years ago now, it's only a couple of hours from me so I will definitely try to visit again and see all the improvements - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Did you get to see the purple emperors? They are *bonkers*. Watched one chase a treecreeper out of the oak it was defending 😂 I just wish it (or somewhere like it) was closer to me, it's about a 5 hour drive for me.
Really well put across Joel. Am so glad you put this out there for people. I absolutely agree with your definitions. This is the place to come for accurate information, based on your incredible knowledge and experience. For me, a garden without any nature would be a depressing place. And omg artificial grass should absolutely be banned. Never heard or seen anything so utterly ridiculous. No benefit to wildlife and looks ugly while wrecking the environment further🙄 Thank you for the great video, and for another look at your most impressive and beautiful front garden💚
Thank you Miche, so much. Brilliantly put as ever, I could've spoken about artificial grass, the artificial buxus balls (that turn a lovely shade of blue!) the artificial ivy.. for an hour or so - may be I should?! How to glean more enemies huh? 🤣🤣 I really need to do an update on the front, I've got so much footage of all the creatures that have turned up, I need to collate it all and find some time (lol!) to film it for the month of June. Very best wishes as always - Joel
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Simply cannot wait for the new garden video. It will be wonderful to see all of the wildlife that you have made a most beautiful home for. No rush or pressure ofc. Take all of the time you need. I know it will be worth waiting for🎁
@@ChopsyMiche Thank you Miche, it's encouragement and support like yours that really keeps me going, I'll never stop creating the habitats/gardens of course but knowing that there are so many receptive people out there now is really encouraging. Couldn't do it without you, I'm not sure you know how important your support has been over these last few years. I'm grateful. Best wishes, as always - Joel
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thank you so much, Joel🤗 You deserve all the support in the world for all of the amazing and wonderful things that you continue to do. I have a wonderful dream and the biggest wish ever that one day you will be knighted for all that you do to help and protect nature and the vital supporting habitats that you create. And for all of the unpaid work you do in honour of our wildlife. You never stop caring and sharing your amazing knowledge with as many people you can reach. You are a good man with a beautiful family🎁
I missed this Miche, but it was just brilliant to read with a cup of tea - everything progressing well on the ponds where I am now, so sorry I missed this response but I'm so grateful for your kind words - you keep me going! Best wishes, Joel
A fantastic Video Joel, your absolutely right the key is to let nature do its thing, even when we garden or even grow veg in a mindful way so we are not taking away from nature, the wildlife can thrive 😊🌱
Thank you Amir, and after seeing what you are doing with your allotment and all the creatures you're considering at the same time, I know you absolutely mean what you say - there is always some management, but management doesn't mean destruction of habitat at all, just management and considering the creatures that are relying on what's growing etc - I really am looking forward to the next update from your allotment - keep up the great work and the great YT channel - best wishes, as always - Joel
I love how over the time I've been watching your videos they've evolved. The way I've tried to explain it to my wildlife gardening group when they've asked is that we as humans are the ecosystem engineers in our own gardens - we have to try and do the job of the large herbivores etc to make those different structures even within habitats such as lawns, and to include as many different types of habitat as they feel comfortable fitting in. These videos have been a great source of advice for doing things like digging my pond!
Absolutely this! That's absolutely how it works, and I'm so glad the videos have not only proved helpful but have become better the more practice I get - it's incredible to think how nervous I was 300 videos ago! I really am grateful for everyone's support and encouragement and it really has helped improve the channel all round. Thanks so much, best wishes - Joel
Great video! I want to add that I can't rewild my balcony, since the balcony has never been wild in the first place, but I can definitely WILD it! I really enjoy creating different pots with different types of "habitats". Like one pot with really sandy soil that's placed in the hot sun with meadow plants that enjoy that. And then another pot in dappled shade with ferns, water avens and mountain melick. And yet another with garden flowers such as nepeta and hyssop. It's really fun to experiment with the different pots and to see which insects enjoy which flowers! As much as I enjoy trying out the different wild flower pots though, the nepetas are so far by far the most popular haha.
Thanks ever so much - 10 mins is about all I could manage right now 😬plus I'm not so sure I'm not too outspoken to be featured on TV - don't get me wrong I've appeared before in slots on programmes, but there's always a script and I just felt that being told what to say by people that don't have the experience is kind of not getting the message across properly, I'm all for editing and brevity etc but there's so much that is missed - I just wish they'd consult the experts more. But I really appreciate it, thank you - best wishes, Joel
Thanks for this Joel this I’m sure has made things a lot clearer for the many who watch this channel. I’ve made so many changes in how I garden from leaving the odd dandelion in place to creating bee hotels planting a privet hedge honeysuckle etc for moths along with adding perennials for bees and butterflies. We have common pipistrelle bats that visit our garden throughout summer from our neighbours bat box all types of birds moths and butterflies along with the odd frog who must love eating the slugs and snails that in turn love to eat my hosta’s! Anything we cut back or deadhead goes into a pile at the back or sides of borders which have helped to create homes for all types of insects and I’ve decided next year to take some hazel poles which we’ll drive into the ground tie up at the top and fill with all our dead stem cuttings in the spring so we’ll have a tall tower for even more wildlife to move into. We have three barrel ponds which are frequently visited by all sorts including honey bees that take water back to them hives. We plan to do more and more each year including a raised bed wildflower meadow which we’ll be able to see from our seating area. One thing I have done is allow empty pots to sit around allowing spiders to move in and out borders are edged with old tree stems which rot down and allow for woodlice and beetles to live in once they’ve broken down we find more to replenish the border we keep our garden tidy but it has enough areas of interest where we allow things to be more natural . The one thing I’d love one day is to have foxes in a garden of ours 🤞🏻 again thanks for taking the time on this subject it really does help.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this Karl, it really is genuinely appreciated. It's such a good feeling to know that a brilliant area for nature has been created and that most of all you are being rewarded by so many grateful creatures (even if they don't actually tell you!). Yes... slugs... I empathise, I planted about 8 Liatris in the front garden which, although not native of course, are absolutely adored by bees and insects - the very next day after I planted them they'd been chewed to the ground. A lesson learned but I did dig them up and repot them and put them out of their reach and they seem to be coming back, but whether they actually flower is a different matter. I imagined that the slugs wouldn't be too bothered and wondered if they'd actually be able to move again after consuming so much. I just loved reading how much you're catering for. So grateful for this, thank you. Best wishes, Joel
Thanks so much, I really appreciate this and I hope it helps explain, lots of questions about this and why it's "wild your garden" rather than "rewild" etc but I hope it'll also be helpful for new subscribers as you say. Best wishes, Joel
I'm really glad this helped explain Ruth, I really want people to be able to enjoy their gardens whilst considering nature, not feel that they have to give everything over to it - it would be nice in a dream world to be able to replace all the habitat lost in the wider countryside over the many years, but we can all lend a helping hand in our green spaces too. Best wishes, Joel
Hello you! So good to hear from you, up to my eyes in work again (not a complaint!) and thanks so much for relaying just how rewarding gardening with wildlife in mind is, for adults too! Hope you and yours are keeping well too - best wishes, as always - Joel
Great to always see your enthusiasm for wildlife! My 7m x 1m (ish) strip of land by edge of drive, next to woodland is coming along nicely with some wildflowers (a lot of wood avens though!), although one part definitely has too much grass so need to tackle that, but that's a nice problem to have. It's amazing that actually just looking within the border what you see, such as I saw a nursery web spider yesterday carrying a sac of eggs within the grass, although relatively common, nice to see :)
Hi Andy, thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I love Wood Avens, not only because it's a food plant of the Grizzled Skipper caterpillar, but it's a really good source of nectar. You mentioning the nursery web spider reminds me that every time I see destruction on a larger or even smaller scale normally people might think "oh it's just grass, there's nothing pretty that's gone..." it's exactly the smaller creatures like you mention that have then lost a home - out of sight out of mind as usual. I know we can't stop "progress" but I'm so glad you brought this up as it demonstrates how much wildlife really is relying on us to provide a sanctuary in our own green spaces. Very best wishes, Joel
Thank you, another ad-hoc video whilst at Stephen's and again no script - which of course means I have to look through photo archives etc when I watch the footage back and edit. I know people know what wolves etc look like but I feel it really does help tell the story and it's way better than continuously looking at my face! Best wishes, and thank you - Joel
Really well explained thanks Joel ! I love these videos because it proves we can all do our bit for nature. I’ve followed you from the beginning and my garden is better for it!! Your front garden is outstanding!! Thank you so much for sharing xx
Thank you Anna, I am sure I replied to you but I keep getting a notification that I haven't! Forgive me if this is twice but I really do appreciate your kind words and support - it makes such a difference. Best wishes, (again!) Joel
I have just discovered your videos and I love them, thank you. I have been trying to 'wild' my small urban garden for 15 years. Despite 2 large dogs and loads of grey squirrels, we have more sparrows than ever, roosting and chattering in the native hedge. My driveway though looks a bit like a post apocalyptic landscape (!!) as I have just let the self-heal, nettles, teasels and evening primrose grow through the paving slabs cracks. To me it looks beautiful, and I just can't bring myself to weed them out.
Hey Lisa - thank you so much for this, it's great to read about the rewards you're getting by doing LESS work and considering the wildlife, and I empathise completely about not wanting to pull anything up at all, something will need it for sure. Have been trying to keep up with projects when it's not raining and this has meant working late in the evenings when it's dry and light so I'm just trying to catch up with everyone - apologies for the delay in acknowledging you and thank you so much for the support and encouragement, it really makes a difference. Best wishes, Joel
Thanks for all your advice over been throwing wildflowers all over the place where I see patches of unused soil... They are now covered in wildflowers.. Even really bad soils red valerian will literally grow anywhere....
You're very welcome! So sorry for the delay in acknowledging you, have been trying to keep up with projects in between the showers and having to work late to keep up. Just back from Slovenia too so trying to catch up with everyone. But I'm so pleased to read this... keep it up! Best wishes, Joel
Hey Joel! Great to finally get an explanation and understand the difference. Your front garden is looking amazing and after such a short time. A little haven for wildlife! If only everyone would make a little space for some wildflowers or natural habitat it would be such a bonus to the creatures struggling in our changing landscape. Best wishes.
Hey! Thanks so much for this, and sorry for the delay in responding, trying to make the most of the lighter evenings - mainly to combat the rain of late and delays on projects! Just back from Slovenia too and back at work today.... in the rain! So glad that this helped, and I hope you and yours are well - best wishes, Joel
The way I've been thinking about it recently is that wild gardening is still gardening. You need to plan, plant, weed, prune, etc, etc just as you would in the rest of the garden. In the "wilder" bit of my garden, I edit out self-sown cherries, brambles, hogweed, etc that otherwise dominate. The same with ivy, really valuable plant, but would take over the whole space. In a small patch it's not possible to let everything have its head. Similarly, I have to accept that I can't alone create a home for wildlife that has a larger habitat than my garden. So with hedgehogs, for example, however welcome I make them, I'm also reliant on my neighbours doing the same, which is out of my control. As a consequence, I'm leaning much more into homes for insects and other invertebrates, the habitats that are in my control.
Just brilliant to read this Jon, it makes so much sense and this is absolutely what I was trying to convey - really appreciate this, perfect examples and absolute justification for what you're doing. Thanks so much - best wishes, Joel
Thank you, I'm so very grateful. We have a wonderful community here, all trying to help wildlife in their own greenspaces, however small - even a balcony with flowers for pollinators can make a huge difference. There are bigger organisations sorting out the "bigger picture" but they have long term goals of course, and nature needs us right now so considering a patch for wildlife really can make a difference. Best wishes, and thank you again for your encouragement and support - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton yes definitely 😁 I'm a big believer in that if we all do our part we can bring down global warming as plants suck out the carbon monoxide from the air and stick it into the Ground.. Also if mass corporations use the no till method all that carbon will stay in the ground 🙏 Thank you for spreading this knowledge..
Always enjoy watching videos you make 😊. In this video I could see beautiful wildlife animals, flowers, field, pond... special the insects hotel in your front garden of course 🥰. Thank you as always for sharing us about wildlife 💚💚💚
Thank you Thao, so much 😊 - I'm really grateful for all your kind words and encouragement and really glad that you enjoyed seeing this. Hope you and yours are doing well - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton yep, my bicycle and I still fine 😀. Sometimes I wish I could bring my bicycle with me and roll around the Meadows in your videos 🚴🤓
Thanks Charlie, I really appreciate this. We've got a great little community here, all trying to do their bit for wildlife in their own green spaces - welcome to the channel - best wishes, Joel
My garden is pretty wild, so im on board. I have a question though. Do you think we can do more benefit by wilding our gardens OR by ceasing to treat gardening as an exercise in consumption? A lot of STUFF goes into some gardens and a lot is carted away. I try not to throw anything away, the usuall stuff composts. I did buy a wood chipper, but hopefully its worthwhile. I chipp all my small branches for woodchip paths. I burn the logs. I never buy compost or any kind of chemical. But the overall philosophy is about making the most of what i do have, fostering what i value. Inputs such as new plants are a small part of what i do.
Hey Calvin, thanks so much for this - some good points and I have to say we can absolutely do both, there are so many plants shipped in from abroad in huge containers that might look good or pretty etc but they're just not designed for our climate and the efforts and heated greenhouses etc that are required to keep them alive really do bring up the question of how green a garden is - and you reference the waste and lack of reusing material really well. Very best wishes, Joel
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I just mention it as I'm a decorator and talk to lots of people about their gardens. Wild flower patches are super common as is some interest in wildlife. But so many people treat plants as disposable and organic matter as waste not habitat or resource. 😔
@@calvinjonesyoutube Thanks Calvin, I've seen the upsurge in interest over the last few years, having been creating wildlife gardens and larger nature reserves for 20 years it's been a while coming, but I'm determined to keep pushing the message and convince "traditional" gardeners that wild doesn't mean messy etc - I really appreciate your input here. Best wishes, Joel
I’m fortunate in that I have quite a big garden that is cut into the side of a hill. I have embankment behind me that has mature ash, sycamore and wild cherry trees on it that I generally allow to do their thing, with minimal tree management, unless it’s going to encroach on the house in some way. I’ve planted up there some acer trees, shade loving shrubs, vincas and ferns but I’ve also let much of it run wild with wild rambling roses going up the trees, cow parsley, nettles, creeping buttercup - all just doing their thing and creating a nice tapestry. The front of my house has a grassed embankment that I haven’t cut in years. The middle (flat!) part of my garden (where the house is actually situated) I cultivate with wildlife friendly plants and a pond - designed and built using your advice, Joel! It’s a nice balance, I think, of minimally curated wild abandon. I’m surrounded by woodland and farmland and so a lot of wildlife wanders into my garden. It’s as joyous as the plants! ☺️ In any size garden, I totally recommend letting any awkward bits you have go to wild, tame the easy sections, have a nice mix of stuff for you and stuff for nature.
This sounds perfect Lou, absolutely perfect. Thank you for this, some great advice and above all proof of the rewards of considering wildlife in your outdoor spaces. Best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton oh yes, it might not be instant, but it does work pretty quickly, and it’s not long before you’ve LOADS of wildlife coming in, that’s for sure!
I have let my backyard go for two years now but the lawn that is there is crowding out any other kind of variety of plants. I think I might have to rip out the lawn to give more space so that hopefully other things grow.
Hi there, it's good to have both longer and shorter areas of lawn, so you could keep some mown - I am not sure if you have seen this video already, forgive me if you have, but it may well help you with the situation you're in: th-cam.com/video/1H7qeC06fts/w-d-xo.html Best wishes, Joel
Thank you Joel for explaining the difference 🌟👍 We have recently added the frame for a bug resort 😀 And planted salsify, poppies, jasmine and a wee hawthorn 🌟 Gonna be buying some oxygenating plants next for our pond...you have inspired us, keep up the most excellent work 👍✨🌟 Blessings 🌟 Angie ✨
You're very welcome Angie, don't forget we have everything you need at www.wildyourgarden.com - from bee bricks to pond plants, and I'm happy to take time out to give tailored and professional advice to all our customers. Really grateful that the channel has inspired you and that you're making a sanctuary for nature too. Very best wishes, and thank you so much for the encouragement - Joel
Very well explained ,we as humans have had a detrimental effect for many years on nature ,including global warming ,thank you for your channel ,its such a positive stance you put across for us all,so we can all help nature in so many ways,😊
Thank you Michael, I really appreciate this. I'm so glad that the videos are proving helpful, I think I will try to fit in as many questions as I can - I try to film relevant videos when I'm away and even now I have circa 200 videos already to upload, it's just finding the time. On another large project at the moment and of course filming it all for everyone - so much more to come and I'm really grateful for your support and encouragement. Best wishes, Joel
Thank you, I appreciate this. In the last 20 years since I've been creating wildlife gardens and larger nature reserves I've seen the upsurge in interest from people, and it's really encouraging, but it also makes you notice the bandwagon jumpers and people getting on board without knowing what the purpose really is - house builders being one of them. So many trees I've seen planted on new estates to then see them upright but dead a year later. I've been asked this question so much in the last year that I thought it worth creating this video to help people understand - and I'm really grateful for your encouragement. Best wishes, Joel
My bit of land is only 2 acres, but I think it's a satisfactory mix of wilding, rewilding, permaculture, and just enough ornamentation to keep my former parks gardener persona happy.
Hey Debbie, if there's one thing I know it's that you think about the wildlife, whatever part of the area it is - and that's what is most important. Very best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton And I'm greatly encouraged to discover (today) that another neighbour farmer is rewilding a large piece of land, some of it already planted with new broadleaf trees. I spoke to him only last year, when I parked on the public track cutting through his land (to look at some flowers on the verge). At first, he thought I was up to no good, but once I explained my interest in the flowers, he just opened up and talked enthusiastically about trees and his future plans for planting more forest. Now seeing his plans in the early stages of reality, I can see his work is going to be a significant benefit to the area, further linking up bits of odd woodland and hedgerow that will help build a wildlife corridor stretching from near Dumfries towards the Queen's Forest.
I would love to hear about what has arrived into your front garden. I planted some garlic mustard which flowered this year and I now have some orange tip butterfly caterpillars on it. Keeping fingers crossed they survive. Will allow it to seed and will find a couple more spots for it to grow. Thank you for this video. If everyone takes a small step it will make a big difference.
Hi there Helen, thank you so much. Where do I start? Newts, frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, last year several species of butterflies, this year Wall Brown butterflies already which I'd hoped for but didn't expect - the Orange Tip is my favourite butterfly, followed swiftly by the Brimstone and I was pretty made-up to find the caterpillars on the Alder in the front garden hedge. I have so much footage of everything you have spurred me on to collate all this into a general video update about the front garden. As I work away around the country it's really difficult to keep an eye on the garden but the next weekend I am back I will do an update (weather permitting!) and include the wildlife footage too. I really appreciate this, thank you - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton all of that in such a short time and in an area where you are surrounded by other houses. It just shows if you give it room, nature will return. Thank you, Helen
You're very welcome Fiona, glad you enjoyed this - just hoping the message spreads further and helps to allay any fears of the "traditional" gardeners out there that wild means messy, untouched etc. It's really important that people aren't put off by a lack of definition between the two methods. Hope you and yours are well, best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I am sure you are making a huge difference. Your videos are so encouraging and show how making even small changes can have a massive impact. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you Fiona, sorry I missed this - sporadic notifications on my phone from YT but I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement, they do make a difference - best wishes, Joel
Thanks Judith, glad you enjoyed this - I'll be answering more questions when I get a chance, but this one seemed to be asked a lot and it's really important that "traditional" gardeners don't fear having to have an unruly and rewilded garden to achieve a great habitat for so many creatures already desperately in need of our help. Best wishes, Joel
Artificial turf doesn’t work anyway, I’ve seen weeds growing through it in gardens I’ve passed. I do find gardening a struggle to achieve what I’m trying to do, what with the weather, pets.Ironically the plants that are doing the best are those that have self seeded this year, Verbena, Ox-eye daisies, cat nip,Garlic mustard, Honesty and I suppose that nature dictates where certain species like to grow. It’s a learning experience. Regards Keith
Hey Keith, yep I empathise re dogs and of course the weather, working around the country and all the projects being outdoors certainly means I'm affected by it. I think that's a good thing to point out though, the plants that naturally regenerate, self-seed etc and their success - all those that you mention are great for attracting wildlife and it really is a "test it and see" operation when gardening and as you say "nature dictates". Best wishes, Joel
We have some oak savanna habitats in the US that were actually created/coevolved with humans, I feel like trying to keep those practices alive in some way would be the best balance of wild vs managed (indigenous practices from any area, I'm sure there are examples from Ancient Europe & UK). The natives in our area used to periodically burn the landscape in order to regenerate some early successional species that were food crops for them but that also sustained animal life as well. Not necessarily that nature "needed" to be managed per se, but with those peoples' intervention certain plants that contributed more to the food web were able to be more successful-- Garry oaks, camas and other flowering bulbs, biscuitroots and several plants in the sunflower family w/edible seeds. And that habitat supported more life than untouched closed-canopy forests of all conifers, which is what will happen eventually in our landscape if it is never burned. With invasive species now too, I feel like some management (or stewardship rather) could always be of some benefit -if done wisely, large caveat. But certainly more wild than we have typically in our modern society we need, for sure!
Wonderfully put Hayley, I really appreciate this and it's just brilliant to read - absolutely re control still needed when rewilding and dealing with invasive species, they wouldn't be there without us putting them there/introducing them in the first place. Best wishes, and thank you - Joel
I often ask what it really should be like because over the years we have changed the landscape so much We need to bring back wild boar lynx and beaver keystone species to adjust the balance
Absolutely Kevin, I certainly think that while all this habitat is being destroyed we need to do as much as we can in our own greenspaces - I know house builders have got on the bandwagon with the "wildlife" areas but I'm yet to see those planted trees make it past a year, there's a prime example at the end of this road, every single one has been replaced by another 8ft specimen that's going to go the same way - planted and then left to fend for itself, no maintenance or aftercare - and they felled about 9 really old cherry trees and put these 8ft ones in their place....
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Why were they cut down in the first instance possibly dead ? They should have used saplings to give them chance to establish methinks
@@kingfisher3011 Hey Kevin, no definitely not dead, really mature trees that blossomed every year and were covered in bees and other insects. It was an old school that had been used for evening classes, then the council stopped the classes a few years before, then a pre-school company used it for childcare provision. Then the council brought it down completely to put new houses on it, about 20 houses but apparently the building works meant the trees had to be taken down - rather typically though it was clear they didn't, they just didn't want to work around them - the new trees planted in exactly the same place the others were removed.
Well put. There is a distinction between rewilding and wilding. Gardening is essentially the human editing and management of a patch of land. But if we all do something to make our patch more wildlife friendly, add diversity or stop using harmful practices such as chemicals it can make a huge difference. Even a small pond makes a huge difference. Great channel, please keep sharing your thoughts and content. Saw you got a shoutout on @leavecurious the other week.
Hi Elliot, thank you so much. It's absolutely as you describe. I've been creating wildlife gardens and larger nature reserves for circa 20 years now and have seen how the increase in popularity has been in the last few years and it's been worth waiting for - the channel was started 4 years ago so I could help people make that difference. Yes, Leave Curious had seen the video I did about "No Mow May - The Truth" and uploaded a similar one after seeing mine - here's my original one - it goes into more detail about the message: th-cam.com/video/iZRpX774ViI/w-d-xo.html Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
That shot of your garden and it’s different mini habitats and you explaining how managing a diverse array of mini habitats together will create the best biodiverse amount of wildlife in your garden, just summed up why its so important to think and plan your wildlife garden or area so well. I think it’s in your book isn’t it?! Cheers
Hi Jack, thank you - the front garden was done this way as it was a great way to show other people that it can be done on a small scale - most people won't see other peoples' back gardens for example. Passersby or neighbours etc do stop and ask about it, and it helps to demonstrate that wild doesn't mean messy which I've been relaying for so many years now. The message is getting out though and even though I've been doing this for circa 20 years I really have seen an upsurge in the last 4-5 years and it's really encouraging. Yes, how to design your garden is featured in the book 😊 - thanks for all your support and encouragement Jack, it's really appreciated. Best wishes, Joel
Hi Holly - absolutely they will. Drop us a line at enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll be happy to help if you need any advice or help on species that will do well in the situation you have. Best wishes, Joel
Really clear explanation, thanks! I've been guilty of using the terms interchangeably. For me the term that is a bit fuzzy is 'urban rewilding' which I guess has elements of both, as we are not separate from nature and some species have learnt to thrive in cities (even if people hate them and call them pests). Perhaps it should be called 'urban wilding' 🤔or maybe I'm talking rubbish... either way, boosting biodiversity is the way to go!
Hey Teresa, yes - "urban rewilding" in the real sense wouldn't actually work due to the amount of concrete/tarmac/housing etc so leaving things to "rewild" on their own terms would be difficult - plus there would be uproar at the increase in "weeds" and buddleja for example, but these plants work hard to survive in these areas😊 Urban Wilding would work, in the spaces available and it's a good thing - take our house sparrows for example, they declined by *70*% in circa 40 years and it's all down to a lack of natural food (insects of course) a lack of vital habitat and more. Best wishes, Joel
Going through the process in our garden this year. Dug a pond, put 1 blue tit box on the shed wall, wild flowers. Haven’t even finished and we’ve had a brood of tit chicks. Nature can’t wait to take on what you provide
Brilliantly put Gav, it absolutely can't wait and neither can we, so good to read about your garden and the changes made, and above all the rewards already with those chicks. Best wishes, Joel
There is a large lot of land near where my family has a beach house, in The Rockaways of New York. Most of that plot of land was used for two baseball fields when I was growing up. After Hurricane Sandy, which devastated the Rockaways, it was left alone for 10 years, and the entire plot has become overgrown with wild, natural, native bushes. The insects and birds and butterflies love it. I wish there was a source of water, but it is home now to so many different animals. I only hope that NYC does not FORK it all UP by doing something with it.
Wow, seriously the longing to come to Rockaway right now is incredible! I'd absolutely love to do a video on this incredible place and it sounds like a perfect example of what this video is all about. If you get a chance to send some photos I'd really love to see it - you can reach me at enquiries@hazelwoodlandscapes.com - if you need any help fighting for it to stay, just shout! Best wishes, and thanks again - Joel
@@traceystock7352 God, I hope you are wrong….. the field is home now to all sorts of animals, and since it is about 150 yards from the Atlantic Ocean, why would anybody need a park there, when you have the beach, and places along the Riis Park boardwalk to grill and play Basketball and paddle ball….?
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Will do. Going there over July 4 holiday. Will take photos/vids. Will also show you the Fort Tilden area, that is as wild as it was years and years/decades ago. Left to itself, it is an oasis for creatures and bikers who want to get away from the crowds
Thank you SurfingOnMars - hope you see this - I think I got your images - will respond when I take a break at lunchtime - really appreciated, best wishes and thanks again - Joel
I used to quite happily write off the term "rewilding" as a useful misnomer, but the more i experience in conservation and read regarding other's experiences, the more im wondering if our use and understanding of the term is causing damage--though generally irt the general public its probably still fine. But, at least in the UK but also in the US, our "natural" landscapes have been developed and worked by humans for thousands of years, whether its forest gardens or controlled burns, its these management techniques that have created a mosaic of habitats--a lot of ppl would imagine an untouched mature woodland as ideal, but aside from ignore invasives not being a good idea, it ignores a woodland's need to be thinned, to have coppice, to have edges and new growth, an understory... A dense mature willow wood might look magical and perfect on its own, but the willow warbler, that thrives in new growth but nests in old dead wood would disagree and its the neglect of willow growth that is part leading to their decline. Meadows are another example, herbaceous meadows are important to many species (including more traditional livestock) and humans took over the role of opening up meadows and clearings from the megafauna we replaced. We Are a natural force, but like most creatures we can get out of hand and with nothing but ourselves to manage ourselves. We can not remove ourselves from the concept of rewilding. (For anyone reading id particularly encourage reading on this topic from the perspective of indigenous americans re: national parks among other things, which are subtly struggling with the removal of their native human population and their traditional work/farming/living styles.)
Hi Adam, thank you. Yes, I think in simple terms there are many traditional gardeners that have a fear of a "rewilded garden" because they do see them as them having no maintenance and just left to their own devices - rather like the one house in the neighbourhood that everyone feared because it was empty, neglected and nature had taken over the garden, these are the usually the memories people have of a garden that's gone wild. Rewilding though is still about an extent of human intervention but that is only re invasive species, restoring destroyed habitat and then letting nature decide what it wants, to just let it be and of course some species will do better than others. Animals have definitely learned over the millennia to "live" with us and adapt or take advantage (meadows etc that you mention). I particularly like the part where you say about "nothing but ourselves to manage ourselves". For me, and regarding what I've been doing for the last 20 years, it's still wanting to convert traditional gardeners into thinking that a wildlife doesn't mean a messy/neglected garden, and there are so many ways a formal wildlife garden can help creatures in desperate need right now too. Best wishes, Joel
I think I'm living in the liminal space between the concepts, then. I've started helping care for my dad's~2 acres in the US that were redeveloped agricultural land (like most of the area is); but while he's let most of the area rewild itself over the last decade or two, 3 or 4 invasives have moved in and suppressed most everything else, native and non-native. In starting to removing the buckthorn and multiflora rose and autumn olive, I'm realizing there isn't much species diversity left because most native species that would have been spread in were purged to such far away areas they haven't managed to move back in in the last half century or so. So while I'll still let most of the land rewild, I'm reintroducing one or two plants of multiple missing natives to allow them to enter the rewilding fray. It's time consuming just finding local strains and gene lines in the wild to gather seeds or cuttings from, but it'll hopefully be worth it.
Wow, just brilliant to read this! Well done you on persevering as it's not an easy task by any means, but your determination and effort will pay off with many rewards. I like the description of liminal space, that's absolutely it and yes introducing multiple missing natives is a good thing and something you absolutely should do. Thanks so much for this, best wishes - Joel
Hey! I just found your channel doing research for my own. I'd like to partner with you as the American counterpart to showcase native wildlife over here. I'd love to figure out a way to help each other grow
I'm happy for you too Jackie, thanks so much for this - you're helping to demonstrate that gardening with wildlife in mind can be so very rewarding, and in so many ways. Best wishes, Joel
Really clearly explained Joel, a cracking video. I am lucky enough to have a river right infront of my cottage which has re-introduced beavers on it. The only issue is the farmers and fishermen want to kill them. I really hope whoever is next in government will strengthen the hunting ban!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate this. You are very lucky indeed, although once more anything deemed successful is looked at as a target or that it needs to be gotten rid of etc. I really hope that too re the government, but in the meantime we can combat as much stupidity as possible in our own greenspaces. Hope you're doing well - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Absolutely! I get emotional seeing how many people engage with your channel and knowing how many of us fight for wildlife
@@cerridwencottagediary9194 It's just so rewarding knowing how many more people are getting on board with this, I know you've been doing this a while and I've been doing this for circa 20 years now but I've really noticed the difference in the last 4-5 years and it really is encouraging. Best wishes, Joel
I have to point out the despite what all the publicity, books, films etc. say, Knepp is still a very much managed and human controlled environment. Whilst it is absolutely better than it was previously, it is really regenerative farming and a fully commercial opperation with a good PR machine, rather than true rewilding.
I appreciate your comment, thank you. I must admit that I've not been there for circa 6 years now, I do plan to revisit and see how things have changed but I absolutely agree that whilst it is certainly providing much needed habitat and introductions and success stories, there is indeed a lot of human intervention. I hope to visit again soon and see for myself of course, but again I do appreciate this. It's still way more than we can do in our gardens, and the video was about explaining the difference. Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
Hi Eva, I am not so sure on the bears, but they are looking into this more in Scotland, which of course is the wildest place left in Great Britain. This is what rewilding really is and what I am trying to explain to people that wilding a garden doesn't mean it is untouched or overgrown, but that it benefits the creatures that need us right now. There were apparently wolves up until the late 1800s here, but no longer. However, I do know a guy that has been rewilding a huge 23,000 acre estate in Scotland, leaving nature to itself - but as you will already know this has meant huge numbers of deer and he is hoping he can bring wolves in from.....Sweden! ❤️ Best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton He can come to our area! He is soo welcome! The govenment is shooting soo many of our wolfs off. We have a rightwing guvernement that has totally gone bunkers with both our climate politics but also invironment questions like how many wolfs are an established good number. As I said we live within a territory and they are never heard or seen around. There are no people killed by them so we are not scared. Bears on the other hand are way more dangerous and I would not like to have them around here. They are just up in the north but there are occasions were people get very seriously wonded or killed by them. Hope he gets some wolfs from Sweden! So then they hopfully don’t kill so many… Best whishes to you 💜
@@evalindell2757 I'd love to be able to see wolves in real life in a natural habitat, but I do appreciate how other people feel of course. Same with bears, it must be difficult trying to live comfortable alongside something that could so easily kill. I will let the gentleman, Lister, know about the wolves and of course the bears too if he has room 🤣 This article is from 2018 but I think you'll enjoy reading this short piece. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/cq6gF8rCHTFtzmvWCHvBqC/the-controversial-plan-to-bring-wolves-back-to-the-highlands Take good care out there - I am imagining you dressed as Little Red Riding Hood of course now 🤣 👀
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton 😂 🤣 I am as far from her as one could be! I agree with you! I like the wolfs, proud to have them ”close” by but I do understand people with sheep, houses or other animals that they are scared about. No nice site I amagine coming out and seeing all your wonderful animals slayed. That’s the only thing I do not like with the wolfs. They just kill without eating so a hole heard can get killed in one night. I think though that if our government would have payed the farmers etc. so they can afford good protection, fences and when something happens good compensation for the loss, then people wouldn’t be so negative. The wolfs living free has not killed anyone in Sweden in modern times I think. In captivity though that’s another story. Thank You for the article! I will read it tonight! Hope you have a good rest of the week!
@@evalindell2757 Wise words Eva, as always. Absolutely re helping the farmers to protect their animals. I am hoping to visit Slovenia real soon and I know they have wolves and bears too... I think I would rather come across a wolf than a bear if I am honest 🤣I hope you enjoy the article and have a great week too, catch up soon - I really hope to be in the same country as you one day soon, so much to see and discover. Best wishes, Joel
Absolutely this Eva, unfortunately here they have been constantly hunted in the countryside, chicken housing made much more secure (can't blame the owners), then rabbits decimated by infecting them with Myxomatosis in the 1950s on purpose to try to control numbers - and so the foxes have learned that there are more resources now close to us in cities. I don't mind seeing them at all, but it is upsetting seeing the amount on the roads that have been killed by cars - I'll never forget seeing a dead parent at the side of the road with 3 cubs trying to drag it to the edge of the kerb. Best wishes, and thanks again for all your encouragement and support - Joel
I would distinguish restoration ecology, which is what humans do, from rewilding, which is how nature responds. Humans don't make anything wild; nature does.
Asking for a low maintenance garden and then paying for the gym to get some exercise... There is no need to weed a garden daily. Just keep an eye on it. And if you do weed, keep it ( all those nutriants) in the garden. Unless, ofcourse , you want your garden to slowly turn into a dessert.
Isn’t all this possible because the uk took the first step of ensuring the extinction of dangerous native wildlife? If you couldn’t be sure of making it to the washing line without meeting a bear you might think differently. As much as I like most wildlife I really don’t want my garden to be a haven for deadly snakes.
There was certainly human intervention, not all the wildlife being destroyed is dangerous though - I absolutely get what you mean about bears and hanging washing out (that did make me laugh!) but it's clear that now we're over-run with deer and have to kill them because there's no natural predators etc, not just deer of course but there's no true balance unfortunately. We don't have deadly snakes in the UK, Adders yes but very very rarely have they killed. We continue to encroach into and destroy habitat, however small an area, every day which is why it's important to me that in the green spaces that surround us wildlife are also considered. Best wishes - Joel
Really well explained thanks Joel ! I love these videos because it proves we can all do our bit for nature. I’ve followed you from the beginning and my garden is better for it!! Your front garden is outstanding!! Thank you so much for sharing xx
Thank you Anna, so very much. So nice to read this while on a tea-break, it really is the encouragement and support from everyone here that spurs me on to keep doing this and to keep creating the habitats. I really appreciate it, best wishes - Joel
Nothing is a weed. I have taken the decision this year not to pull up anything, even cleavers, and my garden looks wonderful. This garden has been mine for 13 years now and is well on the way to being a wood. Nature does it all. I do not accept that anything nature does is a “mess”.
Great to read this! Cleavers is a larval food plant for the Hummingbird Hawkmoth caterpillars, I remember as a kid if we'd walked home through wilder areas there'd always be some Cleavers that we inadvertently brought back with us. Your garden sounds perfect and you'll be rewarded for working with nature. What a sanctuary you are creating - best wishes, and thank you - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks very much for your kind encouragement.
@@erinneil5480 Anytime Erin, you're making a real difference to the wildlife, and I'm grateful.
Interestingly some of the most beautiful native plants in the USA have the word „weed” in the title. Joe pye weed, butterfly weed, weed this weed that just so we go out and buy tropical fancy sounding plants that will die in a season anyway. I scan all the „weeds” popping up in my yard and as long as they’re native I leave them be. It’s amazing how many new plants I discovered this way!
If I lived attached to your house I would be asking you to recreate your front garden for me next door. Your garden must give joy to everyone that passes it.
Thank you Harry, so much - just lovely to read this. It certainly has made people stop and look, I think it quite rare to see a front garden that's not completely paved or just plain lawn - someone a little while ago left a brilliant comment saying "what DO people need a plain front lawn for exactly? No one sits out in it, no one plays games on it..." - it certainly made me think. But since it's creation it's made people stop and ask about it - even at one point someone asking whether I was making a breakfast bar when the bug hotel was first being created 😂 - Thanks again Harry for all the encouragement and support, best wishes - Joel
I'm very happy rewilding, wilding, permaculture, nature features great and small are gaining in popularity and meaning ❤
Me too Nicky, although I've been doing this for circa 20 years, I really have seen a difference in the last 4-5 years and it's really encouraging. Best wishes, Joel
True.
Diversity of plant numbers is key, and your design ideas are charming. We are in Washington state USA. My husband did No mow May 2 yrs ago, and now our front garden is native plants ❤ thank you for promoting going green 😊
Thank you Martha, so good to read this - I'm still trying to convince people that it needs to be longer than May, if you or your husband ever get questioned about not mowing, this video really might help:
th-cam.com/video/iZRpX774ViI/w-d-xo.html
Best wishes, Joel
I love what you've done with your front garden. It packs a punch well above its weight and for such a small space has got it all!
Thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind words, it really can make a difference after a difficult Monday! Very best wishes, Joel
I'm doing something on my lot that was once a farm of some sort. I have no idea if I'm rewilding or wilding but it's something. Definitely something.
Haha, this made me smile - a lot! I think you're doing exactly what is needed, and you'll be rewarded either way - thanks so much Tracey - best wishes, Joel
Well put Joel a clear explanation of rewilding/wilding. My garden is a little more on the wildside of tidy, a beaver was recorded on a Brook in Wolverhampton the other day. That's not too far from me. I was thinking, my pond could do with some maintenance, I wonder 🤔 haha.
Wow 😀 that's fantastic! And yes, your garden is a little piece of heaven in my eyes, it really is and you've certainly been doing it long enough to know what works. I hope you had a great weekend and you and yours are doing well. Best wishes, Joel
After watching your channel since last year, all I talked about was wanting a pond. On 6/12/24 we just installed a little pond in the back yard. It’s not big (8x10 pond and overall 11x14 with plants), but it’s a small attempt to give some refuge to whatever comes around. Just hours after it was finished and the pond was filled, we had birds taking a drink on the spillway, lots of bees drinking water from pebbles from “the beach” area, a butterfly came by and landed on the pebbles too, a strange looking bug eating the moss on the rocks, and a little bug was skating across the water. Our pond installer said, “if you build it, they will come.”
Hey there! So sorry for the delay in acknowledging you - it's been non-stop rain for a good few weeks here in the UK which has meant working late into the evenings and making the most of the light to keep up with projects. Just back from Slovenia too so trying to catch up with everyone now. But it's so good to read your message and to hear of all the rewards for considering the wildlife in your own green space. Well done, very best wishes - Joel
My garden absolutely beautiful, since l’ve been following your advice. Small changes can make such a difference. THANKS 😊
So good to read this Helen, I really appreciate it and am so glad you're reaping the rewards of probably doing less work 😊 Best wishes, Joel
The Book Of Wilding by Isabella Tree was a fantastic read about rewilding at Knepp.
Thanks so much for this, I really need to find time to finish my copy! Best wishes, Joel
It is an inspiring book. If you're ever in the area, Knepp is well worth a visit.
@@31Blaize Yes, absolutely - I was there nearly 7 years ago now, it's only a couple of hours from me so I will definitely try to visit again and see all the improvements - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Did you get to see the purple emperors? They are *bonkers*. Watched one chase a treecreeper out of the oak it was defending 😂 I just wish it (or somewhere like it) was closer to me, it's about a 5 hour drive for me.
She has recently bought out a film really worth watching !!!
Very informative, I could listen to you speak about this topic all day - thanks for the passion!
Thank you, it's not been an easy Monday and reading comments like yours can end the day on a much better note. I do appreciate it, best wishes - Joel
Really well put across Joel. Am so glad you put this out there for people. I absolutely agree with your definitions. This is the place to come for accurate information, based on your incredible knowledge and experience.
For me, a garden without any nature would be a depressing place. And omg artificial grass should absolutely be banned. Never heard or seen anything so utterly ridiculous. No benefit to wildlife and looks ugly while wrecking the environment further🙄
Thank you for the great video, and for another look at your most impressive and beautiful front garden💚
Thank you Miche, so much. Brilliantly put as ever, I could've spoken about artificial grass, the artificial buxus balls (that turn a lovely shade of blue!) the artificial ivy.. for an hour or so - may be I should?! How to glean more enemies huh? 🤣🤣 I really need to do an update on the front, I've got so much footage of all the creatures that have turned up, I need to collate it all and find some time (lol!) to film it for the month of June. Very best wishes as always - Joel
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Simply cannot wait for the new garden video. It will be wonderful to see all of the wildlife that you have made a most beautiful home for. No rush or pressure ofc. Take all of the time you need. I know it will be worth waiting for🎁
@@ChopsyMiche Thank you Miche, it's encouragement and support like yours that really keeps me going, I'll never stop creating the habitats/gardens of course but knowing that there are so many receptive people out there now is really encouraging. Couldn't do it without you, I'm not sure you know how important your support has been over these last few years. I'm grateful. Best wishes, as always - Joel
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thank you so much, Joel🤗
You deserve all the support in the world for all of the amazing and wonderful things that you continue to do. I have a wonderful dream and the biggest wish ever that one day you will be knighted for all that you do to help and protect nature and the vital supporting habitats that you create. And for all of the unpaid work you do in honour of our wildlife. You never stop caring and sharing your amazing knowledge with as many people you can reach. You are a good man with a beautiful family🎁
I missed this Miche, but it was just brilliant to read with a cup of tea - everything progressing well on the ponds where I am now, so sorry I missed this response but I'm so grateful for your kind words - you keep me going! Best wishes, Joel
A fantastic Video Joel, your absolutely right the key is to let nature do its thing, even when we garden or even grow veg in a mindful way so we are not taking away from nature, the wildlife can thrive 😊🌱
Thank you Amir, and after seeing what you are doing with your allotment and all the creatures you're considering at the same time, I know you absolutely mean what you say - there is always some management, but management doesn't mean destruction of habitat at all, just management and considering the creatures that are relying on what's growing etc - I really am looking forward to the next update from your allotment - keep up the great work and the great YT channel - best wishes, as always - Joel
I love how over the time I've been watching your videos they've evolved. The way I've tried to explain it to my wildlife gardening group when they've asked is that we as humans are the ecosystem engineers in our own gardens - we have to try and do the job of the large herbivores etc to make those different structures even within habitats such as lawns, and to include as many different types of habitat as they feel comfortable fitting in. These videos have been a great source of advice for doing things like digging my pond!
Absolutely this! That's absolutely how it works, and I'm so glad the videos have not only proved helpful but have become better the more practice I get - it's incredible to think how nervous I was 300 videos ago! I really am grateful for everyone's support and encouragement and it really has helped improve the channel all round. Thanks so much, best wishes - Joel
Thank you for another amazing video! And more motivation to wild our gardens.
Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement, they really do make a difference to me. Best wishes, Joel
Great video! I want to add that I can't rewild my balcony, since the balcony has never been wild in the first place, but I can definitely WILD it! I really enjoy creating different pots with different types of "habitats". Like one pot with really sandy soil that's placed in the hot sun with meadow plants that enjoy that. And then another pot in dappled shade with ferns, water avens and mountain melick. And yet another with garden flowers such as nepeta and hyssop. It's really fun to experiment with the different pots and to see which insects enjoy which flowers! As much as I enjoy trying out the different wild flower pots though, the nepetas are so far by far the most popular haha.
Haha, great to hear from you and perfectly put, as always! I love that you're doing this and I love that you love doing it - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thank you :)
Great pragmatic communication. Wish there was a way to slot you in for 10 minutes on breakfast TV and get the message out
Thanks ever so much - 10 mins is about all I could manage right now 😬plus I'm not so sure I'm not too outspoken to be featured on TV - don't get me wrong I've appeared before in slots on programmes, but there's always a script and I just felt that being told what to say by people that don't have the experience is kind of not getting the message across properly, I'm all for editing and brevity etc but there's so much that is missed - I just wish they'd consult the experts more. But I really appreciate it, thank you - best wishes, Joel
Thanks for this Joel this I’m sure has made things a lot clearer for the many who watch this channel. I’ve made so many changes in how I garden from leaving the odd dandelion in place to creating bee hotels planting a privet hedge honeysuckle etc for moths along with adding perennials for bees and butterflies. We have common pipistrelle bats that visit our garden throughout summer from our neighbours bat box all types of birds moths and butterflies along with the odd frog who must love eating the slugs and snails that in turn love to eat my hosta’s! Anything we cut back or deadhead goes into a pile at the back or sides of borders which have helped to create homes for all types of insects and I’ve decided next year to take some hazel poles which we’ll drive into the ground tie up at the top and fill with all our dead stem cuttings in the spring so we’ll have a tall tower for even more wildlife to move into. We have three barrel ponds which are frequently visited by all sorts including honey bees that take water back to them hives. We plan to do more and more each year including a raised bed wildflower meadow which we’ll be able to see from our seating area. One thing I have done is allow empty pots to sit around allowing spiders to move in and out borders are edged with old tree stems which rot down and allow for woodlice and beetles to live in once they’ve broken down we find more to replenish the border we keep our garden tidy but it has enough areas of interest where we allow things to be more natural . The one thing I’d love one day is to have foxes in a garden of ours 🤞🏻 again thanks for taking the time on this subject it really does help.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this Karl, it really is genuinely appreciated. It's such a good feeling to know that a brilliant area for nature has been created and that most of all you are being rewarded by so many grateful creatures (even if they don't actually tell you!). Yes... slugs... I empathise, I planted about 8 Liatris in the front garden which, although not native of course, are absolutely adored by bees and insects - the very next day after I planted them they'd been chewed to the ground. A lesson learned but I did dig them up and repot them and put them out of their reach and they seem to be coming back, but whether they actually flower is a different matter. I imagined that the slugs wouldn't be too bothered and wondered if they'd actually be able to move again after consuming so much. I just loved reading how much you're catering for. So grateful for this, thank you. Best wishes, Joel
Great explanation Joel for those who may have just found the channel 🙂👍
Thanks so much, I really appreciate this and I hope it helps explain, lots of questions about this and why it's "wild your garden" rather than "rewild" etc but I hope it'll also be helpful for new subscribers as you say. Best wishes, Joel
Thanks for that - now I feel less guilty about cutting the brambles and nettles in my smallish garden.
I'm really glad this helped explain Ruth, I really want people to be able to enjoy their gardens whilst considering nature, not feel that they have to give everything over to it - it would be nice in a dream world to be able to replace all the habitat lost in the wider countryside over the many years, but we can all lend a helping hand in our green spaces too. Best wishes, Joel
Hey Joel. Really positive video. Creating spaces for animals and insects is so much fun, even for adults lol.
Hope your well my friend
Hello you! So good to hear from you, up to my eyes in work again (not a complaint!) and thanks so much for relaying just how rewarding gardening with wildlife in mind is, for adults too! Hope you and yours are keeping well too - best wishes, as always - Joel
Great to always see your enthusiasm for wildlife! My 7m x 1m (ish) strip of land by edge of drive, next to woodland is coming along nicely with some wildflowers (a lot of wood avens though!), although one part definitely has too much grass so need to tackle that, but that's a nice problem to have. It's amazing that actually just looking within the border what you see, such as I saw a nursery web spider yesterday carrying a sac of eggs within the grass, although relatively common, nice to see :)
Hi Andy, thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I love Wood Avens, not only because it's a food plant of the Grizzled Skipper caterpillar, but it's a really good source of nectar. You mentioning the nursery web spider reminds me that every time I see destruction on a larger or even smaller scale normally people might think "oh it's just grass, there's nothing pretty that's gone..." it's exactly the smaller creatures like you mention that have then lost a home - out of sight out of mind as usual. I know we can't stop "progress" but I'm so glad you brought this up as it demonstrates how much wildlife really is relying on us to provide a sanctuary in our own green spaces. Very best wishes, Joel
Another inspiring video Joel it’s something I’d love to do whether I can at 70 is another thing 😄
Thank you Marilyn, so much. It's never too late to start 😄
Loved the background photos!
Thank you, another ad-hoc video whilst at Stephen's and again no script - which of course means I have to look through photo archives etc when I watch the footage back and edit. I know people know what wolves etc look like but I feel it really does help tell the story and it's way better than continuously looking at my face! Best wishes, and thank you - Joel
Really well explained thanks Joel !
I love these videos because it proves we can all do our bit for nature. I’ve followed you from the beginning and my garden is better for it!!
Your front garden is outstanding!! Thank you so much for sharing xx
Thank you Anna, I am sure I replied to you but I keep getting a notification that I haven't! Forgive me if this is twice but I really do appreciate your kind words and support - it makes such a difference. Best wishes, (again!) Joel
I have just discovered your videos and I love them, thank you. I have been trying to 'wild' my small urban garden for 15 years. Despite 2 large dogs and loads of grey squirrels, we have more sparrows than ever, roosting and chattering in the native hedge. My driveway though looks a bit like a post apocalyptic landscape (!!) as I have just let the self-heal, nettles, teasels and evening primrose grow through the paving slabs cracks. To me it looks beautiful, and I just can't bring myself to weed them out.
Hey Lisa - thank you so much for this, it's great to read about the rewards you're getting by doing LESS work and considering the wildlife, and I empathise completely about not wanting to pull anything up at all, something will need it for sure. Have been trying to keep up with projects when it's not raining and this has meant working late in the evenings when it's dry and light so I'm just trying to catch up with everyone - apologies for the delay in acknowledging you and thank you so much for the support and encouragement, it really makes a difference. Best wishes, Joel
Thanks for all your advice over been throwing wildflowers all over the place where I see patches of unused soil... They are now covered in wildflowers.. Even really bad soils red valerian will literally grow anywhere....
You're very welcome! So sorry for the delay in acknowledging you, have been trying to keep up with projects in between the showers and having to work late to keep up. Just back from Slovenia too so trying to catch up with everyone. But I'm so pleased to read this... keep it up! Best wishes, Joel
Hey Joel! Great to finally get an explanation and understand the difference. Your front garden is looking amazing and after such a short time. A little haven for wildlife! If only everyone would make a little space for some wildflowers or natural habitat it would be such a bonus to the creatures struggling in our changing landscape. Best wishes.
Hey! Thanks so much for this, and sorry for the delay in responding, trying to make the most of the lighter evenings - mainly to combat the rain of late and delays on projects! Just back from Slovenia too and back at work today.... in the rain! So glad that this helped, and I hope you and yours are well - best wishes, Joel
A great explanation, really enjoyed this video 👍🌿
Thank you so much Lisa, I really appreciate the encouragement - best wishes, Joel
The way I've been thinking about it recently is that wild gardening is still gardening. You need to plan, plant, weed, prune, etc, etc just as you would in the rest of the garden. In the "wilder" bit of my garden, I edit out self-sown cherries, brambles, hogweed, etc that otherwise dominate. The same with ivy, really valuable plant, but would take over the whole space. In a small patch it's not possible to let everything have its head. Similarly, I have to accept that I can't alone create a home for wildlife that has a larger habitat than my garden. So with hedgehogs, for example, however welcome I make them, I'm also reliant on my neighbours doing the same, which is out of my control. As a consequence, I'm leaning much more into homes for insects and other invertebrates, the habitats that are in my control.
Just brilliant to read this Jon, it makes so much sense and this is absolutely what I was trying to convey - really appreciate this, perfect examples and absolute justification for what you're doing. Thanks so much - best wishes, Joel
Thank you, that's very kind of you.
😃🎉 Excellent
I subscribed to your channel 🙏
Thank you, I'm so very grateful. We have a wonderful community here, all trying to help wildlife in their own greenspaces, however small - even a balcony with flowers for pollinators can make a huge difference. There are bigger organisations sorting out the "bigger picture" but they have long term goals of course, and nature needs us right now so considering a patch for wildlife really can make a difference. Best wishes, and thank you again for your encouragement and support - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton yes definitely 😁 I'm a big believer in that if we all do our part we can bring down global warming as plants suck out the carbon monoxide from the air and stick it into the Ground.. Also if mass corporations use the no till method all that carbon will stay in the ground 🙏 Thank you for spreading this knowledge..
Always enjoy watching videos you make 😊. In this video I could see beautiful wildlife animals, flowers, field, pond... special the insects hotel in your front garden of course 🥰. Thank you as always for sharing us about wildlife 💚💚💚
Thank you Thao, so much 😊 - I'm really grateful for all your kind words and encouragement and really glad that you enjoyed seeing this. Hope you and yours are doing well - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton yep, my bicycle and I still fine 😀. Sometimes I wish I could bring my bicycle with me and roll around the Meadows in your videos 🚴🤓
Great video once again 💚
Thank you, I really appreciate this 🤗
Great video Joel, you've earned a new subscriber
Thanks Charlie, I really appreciate this. We've got a great little community here, all trying to do their bit for wildlife in their own green spaces - welcome to the channel - best wishes, Joel
My garden is pretty wild, so im on board. I have a question though. Do you think we can do more benefit by wilding our gardens OR by ceasing to treat gardening as an exercise in consumption? A lot of STUFF goes into some gardens and a lot is carted away. I try not to throw anything away, the usuall stuff composts. I did buy a wood chipper, but hopefully its worthwhile. I chipp all my small branches for woodchip paths. I burn the logs. I never buy compost or any kind of chemical. But the overall philosophy is about making the most of what i do have, fostering what i value. Inputs such as new plants are a small part of what i do.
Hey Calvin, thanks so much for this - some good points and I have to say we can absolutely do both, there are so many plants shipped in from abroad in huge containers that might look good or pretty etc but they're just not designed for our climate and the efforts and heated greenhouses etc that are required to keep them alive really do bring up the question of how green a garden is - and you reference the waste and lack of reusing material really well. Very best wishes, Joel
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I just mention it as I'm a decorator and talk to lots of people about their gardens. Wild flower patches are super common as is some interest in wildlife. But so many people treat plants as disposable and organic matter as waste not habitat or resource. 😔
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton and thanks for all your videos!
@@calvinjonesyoutube Thanks Calvin, I've seen the upsurge in interest over the last few years, having been creating wildlife gardens and larger nature reserves for 20 years it's been a while coming, but I'm determined to keep pushing the message and convince "traditional" gardeners that wild doesn't mean messy etc - I really appreciate your input here. Best wishes, Joel
@@calvinjonesyoutube You're very welcome!
I’m fortunate in that I have quite a big garden that is cut into the side of a hill. I have embankment behind me that has mature ash, sycamore and wild cherry trees on it that I generally allow to do their thing, with minimal tree management, unless it’s going to encroach on the house in some way. I’ve planted up there some acer trees, shade loving shrubs, vincas and ferns but I’ve also let much of it run wild with wild rambling roses going up the trees, cow parsley, nettles, creeping buttercup - all just doing their thing and creating a nice tapestry.
The front of my house has a grassed embankment that I haven’t cut in years.
The middle (flat!) part of my garden (where the house is actually situated) I cultivate with wildlife friendly plants and a pond - designed and built using your advice, Joel! It’s a nice balance, I think, of minimally curated wild abandon. I’m surrounded by woodland and farmland and so a lot of wildlife wanders into my garden. It’s as joyous as the plants! ☺️
In any size garden, I totally recommend letting any awkward bits you have go to wild, tame the easy sections, have a nice mix of stuff for you and stuff for nature.
This sounds perfect Lou, absolutely perfect. Thank you for this, some great advice and above all proof of the rewards of considering wildlife in your outdoor spaces. Best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton oh yes, it might not be instant, but it does work pretty quickly, and it’s not long before you’ve LOADS of wildlife coming in, that’s for sure!
@@LouciferFlump Fantastic, thanks Lou 🥰
I have let my backyard go for two years now but the lawn that is there is crowding out any other kind of variety of plants. I think I might have to rip out the lawn to give more space so that hopefully other things grow.
Hi there, it's good to have both longer and shorter areas of lawn, so you could keep some mown - I am not sure if you have seen this video already, forgive me if you have, but it may well help you with the situation you're in:
th-cam.com/video/1H7qeC06fts/w-d-xo.html
Best wishes, Joel
Thank you Joel for explaining the difference 🌟👍 We have recently added the frame for a bug resort 😀 And planted salsify, poppies, jasmine and a wee hawthorn 🌟 Gonna be buying some oxygenating plants next for our pond...you have inspired us, keep up the most excellent work 👍✨🌟 Blessings 🌟 Angie ✨
You're very welcome Angie, don't forget we have everything you need at www.wildyourgarden.com - from bee bricks to pond plants, and I'm happy to take time out to give tailored and professional advice to all our customers. Really grateful that the channel has inspired you and that you're making a sanctuary for nature too. Very best wishes, and thank you so much for the encouragement - Joel
❤️ watching this. Beautiful 🦋 🌷 🌼 🌻 🌸🌺🌷
Thank you Janie - so much - hope you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Joel
Very well explained ,we as humans have had a detrimental effect for many years on nature ,including global warming ,thank you for your channel ,its such a positive stance you put across for us all,so we can all help nature in so many ways,😊
Thank you Michael, I really appreciate this. I'm so glad that the videos are proving helpful, I think I will try to fit in as many questions as I can - I try to film relevant videos when I'm away and even now I have circa 200 videos already to upload, it's just finding the time. On another large project at the moment and of course filming it all for everyone - so much more to come and I'm really grateful for your support and encouragement. Best wishes, Joel
Excellent discussion. Good to know the difference between wilding and re-wilding. Seems the term re-wilding is being tossed around quite loosely.
Thank you, I appreciate this. In the last 20 years since I've been creating wildlife gardens and larger nature reserves I've seen the upsurge in interest from people, and it's really encouraging, but it also makes you notice the bandwagon jumpers and people getting on board without knowing what the purpose really is - house builders being one of them. So many trees I've seen planted on new estates to then see them upright but dead a year later. I've been asked this question so much in the last year that I thought it worth creating this video to help people understand - and I'm really grateful for your encouragement. Best wishes, Joel
Really excellent video! Thank you Joel
Thank you Joanna, I really appreciate this - so glad that you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Joel
My bit of land is only 2 acres, but I think it's a satisfactory mix of wilding, rewilding, permaculture, and just enough ornamentation to keep my former parks gardener persona happy.
Hey Debbie, if there's one thing I know it's that you think about the wildlife, whatever part of the area it is - and that's what is most important. Very best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton And I'm greatly encouraged to discover (today) that another neighbour farmer is rewilding a large piece of land, some of it already planted with new broadleaf trees.
I spoke to him only last year, when I parked on the public track cutting through his land (to look at some flowers on the verge). At first, he thought I was up to no good, but once I explained my interest in the flowers, he just opened up and talked enthusiastically about trees and his future plans for planting more forest.
Now seeing his plans in the early stages of reality, I can see his work is going to be a significant benefit to the area, further linking up bits of odd woodland and hedgerow that will help build a wildlife corridor stretching from near Dumfries towards the Queen's Forest.
Brilliant to read this Debbie, just fantastic. Best wishes, Joel
I would love to hear about what has arrived into your front garden. I planted some garlic mustard which flowered this year and I now have some orange tip butterfly caterpillars on it. Keeping fingers crossed they survive. Will allow it to seed and will find a couple more spots for it to grow. Thank you for this video. If everyone takes a small step it will make a big difference.
Hi there Helen, thank you so much. Where do I start? Newts, frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, last year several species of butterflies, this year Wall Brown butterflies already which I'd hoped for but didn't expect - the Orange Tip is my favourite butterfly, followed swiftly by the Brimstone and I was pretty made-up to find the caterpillars on the Alder in the front garden hedge. I have so much footage of everything you have spurred me on to collate all this into a general video update about the front garden. As I work away around the country it's really difficult to keep an eye on the garden but the next weekend I am back I will do an update (weather permitting!) and include the wildlife footage too. I really appreciate this, thank you - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton all of that in such a short time and in an area where you are surrounded by other houses. It just shows if you give it room, nature will return. Thank you, Helen
Thank you for explaing the difference between the two.
Brilliant video as always!
🌱🌼🐛🐞🐝🌿🌳
You're very welcome Fiona, glad you enjoyed this - just hoping the message spreads further and helps to allay any fears of the "traditional" gardeners out there that wild means messy, untouched etc. It's really important that people aren't put off by a lack of definition between the two methods. Hope you and yours are well, best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I am sure you are making a huge difference. Your videos are so encouraging and show how making even small changes can have a massive impact. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you Fiona, sorry I missed this - sporadic notifications on my phone from YT but I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement, they do make a difference - best wishes, Joel
Thanks
Thank you Kevin, sincerely.
Great video. Many thanks.
Thanks Judith, glad you enjoyed this - I'll be answering more questions when I get a chance, but this one seemed to be asked a lot and it's really important that "traditional" gardeners don't fear having to have an unruly and rewilded garden to achieve a great habitat for so many creatures already desperately in need of our help. Best wishes, Joel
Artificial turf doesn’t work anyway, I’ve seen weeds growing through it in gardens I’ve passed. I do find gardening a struggle to achieve what I’m trying to do, what with the weather, pets.Ironically the plants that are doing the best are those that have self seeded this year, Verbena, Ox-eye daisies, cat nip,Garlic mustard, Honesty and I suppose that nature dictates where certain species like to grow. It’s a learning experience. Regards Keith
Hey Keith, yep I empathise re dogs and of course the weather, working around the country and all the projects being outdoors certainly means I'm affected by it. I think that's a good thing to point out though, the plants that naturally regenerate, self-seed etc and their success - all those that you mention are great for attracting wildlife and it really is a "test it and see" operation when gardening and as you say "nature dictates". Best wishes, Joel
We have some oak savanna habitats in the US that were actually created/coevolved with humans, I feel like trying to keep those practices alive in some way would be the best balance of wild vs managed (indigenous practices from any area, I'm sure there are examples from Ancient Europe & UK). The natives in our area used to periodically burn the landscape in order to regenerate some early successional species that were food crops for them but that also sustained animal life as well. Not necessarily that nature "needed" to be managed per se, but with those peoples' intervention certain plants that contributed more to the food web were able to be more successful-- Garry oaks, camas and other flowering bulbs, biscuitroots and several plants in the sunflower family w/edible seeds. And that habitat supported more life than untouched closed-canopy forests of all conifers, which is what will happen eventually in our landscape if it is never burned. With invasive species now too, I feel like some management (or stewardship rather) could always be of some benefit -if done wisely, large caveat. But certainly more wild than we have typically in our modern society we need, for sure!
Wonderfully put Hayley, I really appreciate this and it's just brilliant to read - absolutely re control still needed when rewilding and dealing with invasive species, they wouldn't be there without us putting them there/introducing them in the first place. Best wishes, and thank you - Joel
I often ask what it really should be like because over the years we have changed the landscape so much
We need to bring back wild boar lynx and beaver keystone species to adjust the balance
Absolutely Kevin, I certainly think that while all this habitat is being destroyed we need to do as much as we can in our own greenspaces - I know house builders have got on the bandwagon with the "wildlife" areas but I'm yet to see those planted trees make it past a year, there's a prime example at the end of this road, every single one has been replaced by another 8ft specimen that's going to go the same way - planted and then left to fend for itself, no maintenance or aftercare - and they felled about 9 really old cherry trees and put these 8ft ones in their place....
@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton
Why were they cut down in the first instance possibly dead ?
They should have used saplings to give them chance to establish methinks
@@kingfisher3011 Hey Kevin, no definitely not dead, really mature trees that blossomed every year and were covered in bees and other insects. It was an old school that had been used for evening classes, then the council stopped the classes a few years before, then a pre-school company used it for childcare provision. Then the council brought it down completely to put new houses on it, about 20 houses but apparently the building works meant the trees had to be taken down - rather typically though it was clear they didn't, they just didn't want to work around them - the new trees planted in exactly the same place the others were removed.
Well put. There is a distinction between rewilding and wilding. Gardening is essentially the human editing and management of a patch of land. But if we all do something to make our patch more wildlife friendly, add diversity or stop using harmful practices such as chemicals it can make a huge difference. Even a small pond makes a huge difference. Great channel, please keep sharing your thoughts and content. Saw you got a shoutout on @leavecurious the other week.
Hi Elliot, thank you so much. It's absolutely as you describe. I've been creating wildlife gardens and larger nature reserves for circa 20 years now and have seen how the increase in popularity has been in the last few years and it's been worth waiting for - the channel was started 4 years ago so I could help people make that difference. Yes, Leave Curious had seen the video I did about "No Mow May - The Truth" and uploaded a similar one after seeing mine - here's my original one - it goes into more detail about the message:
th-cam.com/video/iZRpX774ViI/w-d-xo.html
Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
Good info, thanks for the clarification and ideas.
Thank you so much, glad this was helpful to you - I appreciate it. Best wishes, Joel
That shot of your garden and it’s different mini habitats and you explaining how managing a diverse array of mini habitats together will create the best biodiverse amount of wildlife in your garden, just summed up why its so important to think and plan your wildlife garden or area so well.
I think it’s in your book isn’t it?! Cheers
Hi Jack, thank you - the front garden was done this way as it was a great way to show other people that it can be done on a small scale - most people won't see other peoples' back gardens for example. Passersby or neighbours etc do stop and ask about it, and it helps to demonstrate that wild doesn't mean messy which I've been relaying for so many years now. The message is getting out though and even though I've been doing this for circa 20 years I really have seen an upsurge in the last 4-5 years and it's really encouraging. Yes, how to design your garden is featured in the book 😊 - thanks for all your support and encouragement Jack, it's really appreciated. Best wishes, Joel
Fab video as always! I'm thinking if ordering some plug plants from your website. Do you think they would still flower this year?
Hi Holly - absolutely they will. Drop us a line at enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll be happy to help if you need any advice or help on species that will do well in the situation you have. Best wishes, Joel
any tips on when to cut a wildflower meadow, who's pretty grassie at the moment to let the flowers grow out more?
Really clear explanation, thanks! I've been guilty of using the terms interchangeably. For me the term that is a bit fuzzy is 'urban rewilding' which I guess has elements of both, as we are not separate from nature and some species have learnt to thrive in cities (even if people hate them and call them pests). Perhaps it should be called 'urban wilding' 🤔or maybe I'm talking rubbish... either way, boosting biodiversity is the way to go!
Hey Teresa, yes - "urban rewilding" in the real sense wouldn't actually work due to the amount of concrete/tarmac/housing etc so leaving things to "rewild" on their own terms would be difficult - plus there would be uproar at the increase in "weeds" and buddleja for example, but these plants work hard to survive in these areas😊 Urban Wilding would work, in the spaces available and it's a good thing - take our house sparrows for example, they declined by *70*% in circa 40 years and it's all down to a lack of natural food (insects of course) a lack of vital habitat and more. Best wishes, Joel
Going through the process in our garden this year. Dug a pond, put 1 blue tit box on the shed wall, wild flowers. Haven’t even finished and we’ve had a brood of tit chicks. Nature can’t wait to take on what you provide
Brilliantly put Gav, it absolutely can't wait and neither can we, so good to read about your garden and the changes made, and above all the rewards already with those chicks. Best wishes, Joel
Hear !
Hear !
Thank you, so much.
There is a large lot of land near where my family has a beach house, in The Rockaways of New York. Most of that plot of land was used for two baseball fields when I was growing up. After Hurricane Sandy, which devastated the Rockaways, it was left alone for 10 years, and the entire plot has become overgrown with wild, natural, native bushes. The insects and birds and butterflies love it. I wish there was a source of water, but it is home now to so many different animals. I only hope that NYC does not FORK it all UP by doing something with it.
Wow, seriously the longing to come to Rockaway right now is incredible! I'd absolutely love to do a video on this incredible place and it sounds like a perfect example of what this video is all about. If you get a chance to send some photos I'd really love to see it - you can reach me at enquiries@hazelwoodlandscapes.com - if you need any help fighting for it to stay, just shout! Best wishes, and thanks again - Joel
It will be developed. Give it time.
@@traceystock7352 God, I hope you are wrong….. the field is home now to all sorts of animals, and since it is about 150 yards from the Atlantic Ocean, why would anybody need a park there, when you have the beach, and places along the Riis Park boardwalk to grill and play Basketball and paddle ball….?
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Will do. Going there over July 4 holiday. Will take photos/vids. Will also show you the Fort Tilden area, that is as wild as it was years and years/decades ago. Left to itself, it is an oasis for creatures and bikers who want to get away from the crowds
Thank you SurfingOnMars - hope you see this - I think I got your images - will respond when I take a break at lunchtime - really appreciated, best wishes and thanks again - Joel
I used to quite happily write off the term "rewilding" as a useful misnomer, but the more i experience in conservation and read regarding other's experiences, the more im wondering if our use and understanding of the term is causing damage--though generally irt the general public its probably still fine.
But, at least in the UK but also in the US, our "natural" landscapes have been developed and worked by humans for thousands of years, whether its forest gardens or controlled burns, its these management techniques that have created a mosaic of habitats--a lot of ppl would imagine an untouched mature woodland as ideal, but aside from ignore invasives not being a good idea, it ignores a woodland's need to be thinned, to have coppice, to have edges and new growth, an understory... A dense mature willow wood might look magical and perfect on its own, but the willow warbler, that thrives in new growth but nests in old dead wood would disagree and its the neglect of willow growth that is part leading to their decline.
Meadows are another example, herbaceous meadows are important to many species (including more traditional livestock) and humans took over the role of opening up meadows and clearings from the megafauna we replaced. We Are a natural force, but like most creatures we can get out of hand and with nothing but ourselves to manage ourselves. We can not remove ourselves from the concept of rewilding.
(For anyone reading id particularly encourage reading on this topic from the perspective of indigenous americans re: national parks among other things, which are subtly struggling with the removal of their native human population and their traditional work/farming/living styles.)
Hi Adam, thank you. Yes, I think in simple terms there are many traditional gardeners that have a fear of a "rewilded garden" because they do see them as them having no maintenance and just left to their own devices - rather like the one house in the neighbourhood that everyone feared because it was empty, neglected and nature had taken over the garden, these are the usually the memories people have of a garden that's gone wild. Rewilding though is still about an extent of human intervention but that is only re invasive species, restoring destroyed habitat and then letting nature decide what it wants, to just let it be and of course some species will do better than others. Animals have definitely learned over the millennia to "live" with us and adapt or take advantage (meadows etc that you mention). I particularly like the part where you say about "nothing but ourselves to manage ourselves". For me, and regarding what I've been doing for the last 20 years, it's still wanting to convert traditional gardeners into thinking that a wildlife doesn't mean a messy/neglected garden, and there are so many ways a formal wildlife garden can help creatures in desperate need right now too. Best wishes, Joel
I think I'm living in the liminal space between the concepts, then. I've started helping care for my dad's~2 acres in the US that were redeveloped agricultural land (like most of the area is); but while he's let most of the area rewild itself over the last decade or two, 3 or 4 invasives have moved in and suppressed most everything else, native and non-native. In starting to removing the buckthorn and multiflora rose and autumn olive, I'm realizing there isn't much species diversity left because most native species that would have been spread in were purged to such far away areas they haven't managed to move back in in the last half century or so. So while I'll still let most of the land rewild, I'm reintroducing one or two plants of multiple missing natives to allow them to enter the rewilding fray. It's time consuming just finding local strains and gene lines in the wild to gather seeds or cuttings from, but it'll hopefully be worth it.
Wow, just brilliant to read this! Well done you on persevering as it's not an easy task by any means, but your determination and effort will pay off with many rewards. I like the description of liminal space, that's absolutely it and yes introducing multiple missing natives is a good thing and something you absolutely should do. Thanks so much for this, best wishes - Joel
A wolfe was spotted in my area ❤
Wow Karin, whereabouts are you living? Not in the UK I guess...
No the north of Belgium
Hey! I just found your channel doing research for my own. I'd like to partner with you as the American counterpart to showcase native wildlife over here. I'd love to figure out a way to help each other grow
Hey Adam, thanks for this - you can reach me on enquiries@hazelwoodlandscapes.com - thanks, Joel
Hedgehogs have appeared in my wild garden, and I am so happy 🦔🦔
I'm happy for you too Jackie, thanks so much for this - you're helping to demonstrate that gardening with wildlife in mind can be so very rewarding, and in so many ways. Best wishes, Joel
Really clearly explained Joel, a cracking video. I am lucky enough to have a river right infront of my cottage which has re-introduced beavers on it. The only issue is the farmers and fishermen want to kill them. I really hope whoever is next in government will strengthen the hunting ban!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate this. You are very lucky indeed, although once more anything deemed successful is looked at as a target or that it needs to be gotten rid of etc. I really hope that too re the government, but in the meantime we can combat as much stupidity as possible in our own greenspaces. Hope you're doing well - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Absolutely! I get emotional seeing how many people engage with your channel and knowing how many of us fight for wildlife
@@cerridwencottagediary9194 It's just so rewarding knowing how many more people are getting on board with this, I know you've been doing this a while and I've been doing this for circa 20 years now but I've really noticed the difference in the last 4-5 years and it really is encouraging. Best wishes, Joel
I have to point out the despite what all the publicity, books, films etc. say, Knepp is still a very much managed and human controlled environment. Whilst it is absolutely better than it was previously, it is really regenerative farming and a fully commercial opperation with a good PR machine, rather than true rewilding.
I appreciate your comment, thank you. I must admit that I've not been there for circa 6 years now, I do plan to revisit and see how things have changed but I absolutely agree that whilst it is certainly providing much needed habitat and introductions and success stories, there is indeed a lot of human intervention. I hope to visit again soon and see for myself of course, but again I do appreciate this. It's still way more than we can do in our gardens, and the video was about explaining the difference.
Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
Where are you introducing wolfs and bears? That is cool! You are so denced populated so I get curious where they can live?
Hi Eva, I am not so sure on the bears, but they are looking into this more in Scotland, which of course is the wildest place left in Great Britain. This is what rewilding really is and what I am trying to explain to people that wilding a garden doesn't mean it is untouched or overgrown, but that it benefits the creatures that need us right now. There were apparently wolves up until the late 1800s here, but no longer. However, I do know a guy that has been rewilding a huge 23,000 acre estate in Scotland, leaving nature to itself - but as you will already know this has meant huge numbers of deer and he is hoping he can bring wolves in from.....Sweden! ❤️ Best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton He can come to our area! He is soo welcome! The govenment is shooting soo many of our wolfs off. We have a rightwing guvernement that has totally gone bunkers with both our climate politics but also invironment questions like how many wolfs are an established good number. As I said we live within a territory and they are never heard or seen around. There are no people killed by them so we are not scared. Bears on the other hand are way more dangerous and I would not like to have them around here. They are just up in the north but there are occasions were people get very seriously wonded or killed by them. Hope he gets some wolfs from Sweden! So then they hopfully don’t kill so many… Best whishes to you 💜
@@evalindell2757 I'd love to be able to see wolves in real life in a natural habitat, but I do appreciate how other people feel of course. Same with bears, it must be difficult trying to live comfortable alongside something that could so easily kill. I will let the gentleman, Lister, know about the wolves and of course the bears too if he has room 🤣 This article is from 2018 but I think you'll enjoy reading this short piece.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/cq6gF8rCHTFtzmvWCHvBqC/the-controversial-plan-to-bring-wolves-back-to-the-highlands
Take good care out there - I am imagining you dressed as Little Red Riding Hood of course now 🤣
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@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton 😂 🤣 I am as far from her as one could be! I agree with you! I like the wolfs, proud to have them ”close” by but I do understand people with sheep, houses or other animals that they are scared about. No nice site I amagine coming out and seeing all your wonderful animals slayed. That’s the only thing I do not like with the wolfs. They just kill without eating so a hole heard can get killed in one night. I think though that if our government would have payed the farmers etc. so they can afford good protection, fences and when something happens good compensation for the loss, then people wouldn’t be so negative. The wolfs living free has not killed anyone in Sweden in modern times I think. In captivity though that’s another story. Thank You for the article! I will read it tonight! Hope you have a good rest of the week!
@@evalindell2757 Wise words Eva, as always. Absolutely re helping the farmers to protect their animals. I am hoping to visit Slovenia real soon and I know they have wolves and bears too... I think I would rather come across a wolf than a bear if I am honest 🤣I hope you enjoy the article and have a great week too, catch up soon - I really hope to be in the same country as you one day soon, so much to see and discover. Best wishes, Joel
But I do think the foxes like to be in Urban environments 😂🤣😂 They are looking for food! Thank You Joel for a very good video!
Absolutely this Eva, unfortunately here they have been constantly hunted in the countryside, chicken housing made much more secure (can't blame the owners), then rabbits decimated by infecting them with Myxomatosis in the 1950s on purpose to try to control numbers - and so the foxes have learned that there are more resources now close to us in cities. I don't mind seeing them at all, but it is upsetting seeing the amount on the roads that have been killed by cars - I'll never forget seeing a dead parent at the side of the road with 3 cubs trying to drag it to the edge of the kerb. Best wishes, and thanks again for all your encouragement and support - Joel
I would distinguish restoration ecology, which is what humans do, from rewilding, which is how nature responds. Humans don't make anything wild; nature does.
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Thank you - so much.
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton pleasure
Asking for a low maintenance garden and then paying for the gym to get some exercise... There is no need to weed a garden daily. Just keep an eye on it. And if you do weed, keep it ( all those nutriants) in the garden. Unless, ofcourse , you want your garden to slowly turn into a dessert.
Absolutely Ronny - thank you.
Don't forget bears, let's get some f'off grizzly giants in the London parks.
Isn’t all this possible because the uk took the first step of ensuring the extinction of dangerous native wildlife? If you couldn’t be sure of making it to the washing line without meeting a bear you might think differently. As much as I like most wildlife I really don’t want my garden to be a haven for deadly snakes.
There was certainly human intervention, not all the wildlife being destroyed is dangerous though - I absolutely get what you mean about bears and hanging washing out (that did make me laugh!) but it's clear that now we're over-run with deer and have to kill them because there's no natural predators etc, not just deer of course but there's no true balance unfortunately. We don't have deadly snakes in the UK, Adders yes but very very rarely have they killed. We continue to encroach into and destroy habitat, however small an area, every day which is why it's important to me that in the green spaces that surround us wildlife are also considered. Best wishes - Joel
Really well explained thanks Joel !
I love these videos because it proves we can all do our bit for nature. I’ve followed you from the beginning and my garden is better for it!!
Your front garden is outstanding!! Thank you so much for sharing xx
Thank you Anna, so very much. So nice to read this while on a tea-break, it really is the encouragement and support from everyone here that spurs me on to keep doing this and to keep creating the habitats. I really appreciate it, best wishes - Joel