GARDENS
March forward
Winter is over, wildlife is awake and though the cold can still bite, longer days make this month your summer garden launchpad
by LUCY HALL
FEED… to aid breeding
Garden birds are in full song as they scout out homes and partners for the breeding season. This is energy-sapping, so keep putting out high-nutrient feeds all the way to summer. Best for energy are peanuts, sunflower hearts and fat balls studded with mealworms, served in hanging feeders to keep food clean and away from rodents. Give feeders a weekly clean as you refill, using a pet-safe cleaning spray and scrubbing brush, because infection from contaminated feeders spreads rapidly and is the cause of many deaths among finches. Daily fresh water helps birds preen their feathers, as well as offering them a drink.