Encourage Ivy

Ivy gets a really hard time. Yes, it can take over trees if left unchecked BUT Ivy is an absolute life-saver for bees and other pollinators. That's because Ivy isn't like other flowers who open for business in Spring and Summer - Ivy waits until the cold days of Autumn and Winter to release its pollen and nectar. Therefore across the entire landscape Ivy can be the only source of food for hungry bees and butterflies as the summer fades away into the colder seasons.

We're not saying to let ivy run riot around the school garden but you should certainly maintain a patch to provide that vital food source.

Also, don't forget, the Ivy berries will be a wonderful snack for hungry birds through the winter.

Ivy flowers blooming in early November at RIngville NS, Co Kilkenny.