Before it started to rain today we made a start on the wild bit at the bottom of the garden. The soil was well wet so was hard to turn over and it was mucky to say the least but we got there after about three quarters of an hour at “council worker on job and finish” breakneck speed. There’s still a little bit at the back to do but we did leave a couple of wild plants in and left in the corner some stinging nettles (good to stick on the compost heap and for adding to comfrey liquid for added goodness) and a bramble plant as Blackberries are always welcomed here. Top tip: sometimes when we know the rain is coming we quickly give an area a light going over with a fork just scratching up the top layer and it looks a million times better after the rain!
We also left our cut price budget version of the brilliant wildlife ponds that Bill Shimmers makes. As we’ve said before his ponds are a work of art! A great idea to do and Bill’s ones look brilliant.
Ours sadly is a wee bit lower budget (an old tub from B&Q and some old wood) than Bill’s but we have to start somewhere!
Weeds up to me knees 
Great wildlife pond ideas. I think I’ll try to improve the look of mine with some woody bits this year.
I deliberately cultivate a few nettles in the ‘wild’ area at the bottom of our garden. Apart from the uses you’ve said, they also make a nice soup if you add some potato and a few sorrel leaves. I also make a nettle condiment for sprinkling on salads in the summer. My nettle beer has had, let’s say, mixed reactions, but some people really like it!
Hi Annie
Thanks for that, Bill’s ponds are brilliant aren’t they? I’ve never made that soup or the nettle condiment but it sounds great. Never heard of nettle beer before. I’ve tried home brewing before but never had that good results. Any tips?
We’re always looking for pictures of other people gardens or even nettle beer recipes for the blog by the way.
All the best Pete.