v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v 8th October 2026 • The HERALD • Page 57 DOWN THE GARDEN PATH A J GLEESON BUILDING & GROUNDWORK DRIVEWAYS EXTENSIONS BRICKWORK GROUNDWORK BLOCK PAVING Colours & Designs to suit your requirements Local Work Available to View CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION New Forest & Southampton 023 8084 4180 Mobile: 07770 771475 Bramdene, Main Road, Dibden, Southampton RYAN FENCING Quality Fencing & Gates 07769 706516 • 023 8084 1203 www.ryan-fencing.co.uk • Find us on Facebook • HEDGE CUTTING • FENCING • PATIOS • TURFING • GARDEN CLEARANCES & MORE For a FREE quotation please call 023 8122 4550 or 07548 355262 AUTUMN LEAF GARDEN WORKS Smithwood Landscaping Professional Gardening & Landscaping • SeasonalTidy Ups • Garden Redesign • Fencing •Trees & Shrubs Carefully Pruned • AstroTurf • Rockeries Designed • Ground Cover No JobToo Small as I am a Local Gardener Any advice over the phone is freely given Contact Gary (Master Landscaper) 07707 433194 Three Top Tips To ‘Drought-Proof’ Gardens For Butterflies Butter y Conservation is calling on people across the UK to take three simple ‘drought-proo ng’ actions in their gardens and outdoor spaces this winter to help caterpillars, and in turn, butter ies and moths: 1. Plant more trees and shrubs Holly, Ivy and Buckthorn are among the best choices for butter ies. Holly and Ivy together support garden favourite the Holly Blue, while owering Ivy is also a valuable late-season nectar source for the colourful Red Admiral and charming Comma, as well as a host of bees, moths and hover ies. Buckthorns are the food source for Brimstone caterpillars, whose sunshine-yellow butter ies o en herald the start of spring. Species such as oaks, Hawthorn, birches, apples and willows all provide homes for caterpillars of a wide array of native moths. All are widely available, low-maintenance, and provide shade and shelter from heatwaves as well as food for caterpillars and adult insects. eir deep roots and dense structure also help them cope with dry conditions once established. green for longer than a closely mown lawn, which browns o quickly in a drought. Longer grass also provides caterpillar food plants for species like Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper, and creates cooler, damper conditions for butter ies to seek refuge during heatwaves. Research by Butter y Conservation scientists showed that gardens with a patch of long grass saw up to 93% more butter ies and a wider range of species, so this is one free and simple change that could really help butter ies when they need it most. For more butter y friendly gardening tips visit: www. butter y-conservation.org Red Admiral (Credit: Tim Melling - Butterfly Conservation) 2. Set up water butts Collecting rainwater through autumn and winter, when it’s plentiful, means there’s a reserve to fall back on for key plants during a dry summer. With numerous hosepipe bans enforced in 2026, preparing now could be the key to helping butter ies next year when the hot, dry weather is predicted to return. 3. Leave patches of grass to grow long Le uncut, grass develops deeper roots and stays CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS Hythe Flower Club are holding Christmas Wreath Making Workshops on Saturday 28th November, 10am – 12noon and 1pm – 3pm at Marchwood Scout and Guide Hall. £30 per person, including: ring, foliage, decorations and guidance to make your wreath as well as tea/co ee and cake. Booking is essential, £10 non-refundable deposit by 23rd November, please email: hythe owerclub@outlook.com or call Maggie Fulker on: 07029 315906. Hythe Flower Club On Tuesday 12th November Beaulieu and District Gardening Club will be holding their Annual General Meeting at East Boldre Village Hall, 2.30pm followed by refreshments. Visitors to talks always welcome £4. Club membership is £12 per annum, for details contact Lynne Hubbard: 01590 612408. Hythe Flower Club meets on the second Thursday of the month. eir next meeting is 8th October for “Let there be music and owers” by Jennifer ompson, followed on 12th November for “Tis the Season” by Jo Richardson. Go along and join them at Hythe and Dibden Parish Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm. Follow them, on Facebook or email: HytheFlowerClub@ outlook.com Visitors are always warmly welcomed. Beaulieu and District Gardening Club
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