We're celebrating wildlife gardening in May as part of our Spring Wildlife Festival. Two of the festival events take place in the lovely surroundings of our wildlife garden at Gosling Sike, Houghton:

• Wild About Gardens – Wednesday 3 May 11.00am to 1.00pm
• Sow and Grow Wildflowers – Thursday 4 May 10.00am to 1.00pm

Wild About Gardens is a relaxed visit round the Gosling Sike wildlife garden, with tips on how to make your own garden or local green space wildlife-friendly. We’ll share planting ideas that are perfect for pollinators and garden birds, show how native species work brilliantly in gardens, and give advice on how to make your garden a haven for wildlife through the seasons, as well as tips on making your own compost. Free event, booking is required. 

Sow and Grow Wildflowers tells you how to successfully propagate wildflowers for your garden or project.  It will include an informative talk and a tour of the wildflower nursery at Gosling Sike and a chance to see our new seed bank. This is where we’re protecting rare and threatened local seeds, some of which will be planted out in public spaces, nature reserves and roadside verges to enrich biodiversity. There will also be practical demonstrations to show you how to propagate wildflowers. Free event, booking is required. 

Both events will be led by Adam McGinley, Horticulture Manager for Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Adam explains why growing wildflowers is important: “Wildflowers and plants are not only beautiful – they're an essential ​part of our lives.​ They provide food for humans and animals, and are the basis for ​many medicines​. Without plants bees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife wouldn't exist​. Many of our native plants are disappearing. Growing wild plants in our ​gardens helps foster an understanding of their plight and puts them back ​on our radar and encourages us to get out and see them in the wild.”

Both events at Gosling Sike are suitable for wheelchairs, there is an accessible toilet and disabled parking on site. Gosling Sike is the home of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s northern office, in Houghton, near Carlisle CA3 0LD.

More details of the Spring Wildlife Festival  

If you’re looking for a family event, our Spring Wildlife Festival also includes a free Family Fun Day at South Walney Nature Reserve near Barrow on Saturday 29 April, 10.00am to 3.00pm. Booking not required, click for more details.