The environmental benefits of adding flower borders

Provide nectar for insects – the longer your garden has something in flower (from early spring to late autumn) the better for you and for them.

Provide protection. Seed heads and stalks left standing over winter make spaces for insects to hibernate.

Provide more insects, which means more birds and small animals (such as hedgehogs and toads), which feed on them.

Save energy. A lawn needs cutting roughly every week from March to November – using up your energy and the mower's fuel.

Save labour. If beds are planted densely enough it leaves no room for weeds, and is less labour-intensive than lawns.