Do you want to attract more bees and butterflies into your yard or garden but aren’t sure how? Maybe you’d like to know how to build a bird box or hedgehog house, to provide shelter for wildlife? Or are you wondering how to control garden pests and diseases, without harming nature? 

If so, a short Wildlife Gardening course may be just what you’re looking for. We're running a new eight-week course on Tuesday evenings, starting Tuesday 9 September, at Gosling Sike, Houghton, near Carlisle.

You need to be 18 or over to sign up and the course is aimed at beginners. However those with more experience, who may wish to increase their knowledge and confidence when gardening with nature in mind, are also welcome. You'll gain practical skills through a mix of classroom learning and hands-on activities.

The course is taught by our team of wildlife gardening experts. Along with Shelagh Todd, a local horticulturalist with 45 years of experience, they’ll take you through a weekly programme of activities, from learning about soil and propagation, to how to create a meadow or pond.

Lizzy Benn, Cumberland Community Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust and course organiser says: “We’re really excited to offer this new course and can’t wait to meet you in September. We know that many of you want to help nature and wildlife, whether that’s in your own garden or yard, or in a local community green space near your home. 

“I’ll be offering a free course space to a community garden, as we want as many local people and groups as possible to benefit from the course. Whether you have a small urban space or a large garden, this course will give you the skills to transform it into a thriving habitat for wildlife.

“We estimate there are 24 million gardens across the UK! The way they’re cared for can really make a big difference to the natural world. Gardens can be a mosaic in a wider network of natural havens. They’re important as they link our urban green spaces with nature reserves and the wider countryside.

“The course will be led by our in-house team, including Horticulture Manager Adam McGinley, Charlotte Rankin who’s a pollinator specialist, and Jack Dryden, who’ll talk about the benefits of adding homes and feeders for wildlife. We’re delighted that local horticulturalist Shelagh Todd will also join us - she’s such an experienced garden designer and teacher who will bring great insights and expertise to the course.”

Shelagh Todd started her career in 1979 as a horticultural apprentice, working in Achamore Gardens on the Isle of Gigha in Argyllshire, Scotland. She’s lived in Cumbria for over 30 years and for most of this time, taught horticulture and garden design at Newton Rigg College near Penrith. You may also have come across her teaching horticulture at Dalemain Gardens near Penrith, Holehird Gardens near Windermere and The Quirky Workshop near Penrith. She’s been a Cumbria in Bloom Judge for over 20 years.

Shelagh says: “I’m at my happiest when I’m working in my own garden. My garden is located on the side of the Pennines and comes with the challenge of the Cumbrian weather and The Helm wind. My garden style is very informal and shows my passion for growing plants. My gardening style embraces the natural landscape, and sustainable practices are a must for me.”

Shelagh’s skills as a horticultural teacher were praised by David Haigh, former senior lecturer in horticulture and author of Born to Dig – A Gardener’s Chronicle: “She is one of the best lecturers I have worked with in my career. Her empathy with the students meant they reached their maximum potential under her guidance. She is an excellent horticulturist and garden designer whose enthusiasm has inspired students for decades.”

Please book on the Wildlife Gardening course by Friday 29 August to secure your place.