We all know that our wildlife has been hit seriously by loss of habitat and the use of pesticides and weedkillers in the last 50 years. Many gardeners would like to not use these harmful chemicals at all, but it is very difficult sometimes when we see our prize plants being destroyed! Encouraging other wildlife that actually eats a lot of the plant pests is one great way to get round the problem. eg. The Hedgehog eat loads of slugs - but he can also be poisoned by slug pellets containing metaldehyde. There is a new brand of slug pellet on the market which is claimed to be safe for wildlife; 'Growing Success Advanced Slug Killer '.

Encourage hedgehogs to visit - see www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk  for more information.

This year a new campaign is being run by the Hedgehog Preservation Society and PTES called; Hedgehog Street -

asking people to rally support from their neighbours and work together to create ideal hedgehog habitat throughout their street, estate or communal grounds. Please sign up to receive a pack which will help you get started. The pack contains hedgehog factsheets which can be handed out to neighbours, posters to help advertise the project, tips and hints on how to get neighbours involved and how to keep them interested and a pack of action cards which explain what people can do in their gardens.

Meanwhile at 7wells, we include in this section traditional country wild foods that are becoming increasingly popular, propagated from plants on our own land, or rescued from development projects. (It is illegal to dig up wild plants, now that so many have become scarce.)

Comfrey for Organic gardeners £4.75	10 small coir pots and compost £5.00
A Book on Gardening for Butterflies, Bees and other beneficial insects £19.95	Bronze Fennel £1.50
Elder £3.50	Hedgerow Jam £4.50
Herbs	Hops and Lavender sleep pillow £8.50
Horsetail - dried tops £3.50	Insect predator plants collection £11.50
Raspberry 'Autumn Bliss' £5.50	Shoo-fly plant £1.00
Sloe bush (Blackthorn) £3.50	Sweet Cicely £1.00
Wild Blackberry £3.50	Wild Garlic Leaves £5.50
wild or 'Alpine' strawberry £3.50	wild rose £0.75
Wildlife Hedge Seed Mixture £6.25	Worm cast fertiliser £5.50