Delve into the incredible ecosystem that thrives beneath our feet.

In this episode, we investigate the remarkable beings that make up the top few inches of our soil.

We'll meet bacteria, fungi and others and hear the vital role they play in building healthy soil that also helps plants thrive.

And we'll get to grips with some of the top ways to protect and support this phenomenal ecosystem.

In this episode we explore the three needs for every Nature Garden

A 'Nature Garden' (aka a 'Patch of the Planet') differs from a 'Wildlife Garden' because it meets all three of the following needs.

1: The needs of local wildlife

Supporting a wide range of species, from amphibians to insects, mammals to birds. Creating the habitats and providing the food that these animals need. Putting trees, ponds, shrubs, food sources, nectar and pollen, habitat features all in to support that local wildlife. And avoiding things like artificial lights, mirrors and slug pellets that harm wildlife.

2. The needs of People

Supporting your needs and desires, whether that's space for relaxing, beauty, space to play, room for BBQs, colour and aroma or whatever it is. This need also means being mindful of the needs of other people too. That could be the needs of your neighbours for example, or it could mean making sure that what you buy and where you source it from is kind to other people, perhaps by supporting local businesses or perhaps by avoiding products that use poor labour practices.

3. The needs of the Planet

Often forgotten, the third need to meet for a Nature Garden is that of the planet as a whole. It means making sure that when we support local wildlife, we don't do it by harming wildlife, or the planet, elsewhere. Treading lightly and gently on the planet, by avoiding the use of things like peat, synthetic chemicals or synthetic chemicals, which all hurt wildlife and planet health elsewhere.

Links

• The ⁠website for this podcast⁠
• Get access to ⁠a free lesson⁠ from the '10 Steps to a Nature Garden' programme
• The Patch of the Planet ⁠Nectar Calendar⁠

Some fantastic organisations we mention

• ⁠Global Justice Now⁠
• ⁠Friends of the Earth⁠
• ⁠The Orchard Project

A rough transcript of this episode is available at https://www.patchoftheplanet.co.uk/podcast-episode-1-transcript

Welcome to Patch of the Planet's podcast.

Discover the potential of your garden to help nature recover and what you can do to make it happen.

Every garden is a Patch of the Planet and every patch wants to thrive.

Nature might be in crisis, but our gardens offer huge potential to make a difference.

We're Dina and Neil and in the Patch of the Planet podcast, we uncover the tips and tricks to Nature Gardening and speak to brilliant people doing brilliant things so you can create your own thriving Patch of the Planet.

*This short introductory episode gives you a taste of what to expect. We'll be posting every fortnight.*

Find us on Instagram & Facebook @patchoftheplanet or over at www.patchoftheplanet.co.uk