One Garden Against the World is the story of how the author looks for positive ways to keep going in a changing world of climate-change anxiety, through caring for her mother and rescuing her dog. Her garden is home to red mason bees and bumblebees, house sparrows, hedgehogs and dragonflies. And the entire frog population of Brighton & Hove seems to breed in her small pond each spring, and there are toads now too.
Use no-dig methods and fruit protection bags (over netting) to help wildlife. And learn how to make your garden safe for pets (use safe humane slug/snail deterrents). For indoor growing, never face indoor foliage to gardens (to help stop birds flying into windows).
On summer evenings, she watches bats flit above her and for a moment, all is right with the world. But with habitat loss and rising temperatures, she worries what it means for wildlife. This is a call-to-action for gardeners, communities and individuals to help wildlife and the climate. If we work together, it’s not too late to make a difference.
In my 20s I lived in Manchester on the sixth floor of a block of council flats, just off the A57. I grew sweetcorn, tomatoes and courgettes in pots on the balcony. I worked in pubs and clubs in Manchester’s gay village and walked home in the early hours, keys poked through my clenched fist to protect me from would-be attackers. And I would see hedgehogs. It never occurred to me that the hedgehogs might be in trouble, foraging beneath the ring road. It occurred to me only that their presence was magical.
Years later I had a job in Manchester, and walked to the estate where I used to live. The flats had had a makeover. The balconies were now sealed with airtight windows that presumably made them warmer and more soundproof. The gardens of the houses had been paved over and there seemed to be more space for parking. It wasn’t just the people who would be suffering from the lack of green space. I wondered how the hedgehogs were getting on.
about the author
Kate Bradbury is an award-winning writer on wildlife gardener, the wildlife editor for BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, and a regular columnist for newspapers. She and her garden have appears on BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch. She lives in Sussex.
Inside Kate’s wild garden, lies the key to a gentle revolution. This beautiful story recognises the power we have to support our wildlife and climate, through the humble act of cherishing our gardens. Each leaf, flower and animal that makes its home within Kate’s wild sanctuary is a symbol of hope and resilience. This book is empowering. It’s joyous. Megan McCubbin
Kate shows how a single person has the power to change things, and how tiny actions combine to make a big difference. She is defending our beautiful planet and its wildlife, one caterpillar at a time. Pam Ayres
If you ever doubted you can help change the world, read this book. Part passionate call to arms, part intimate nature diary. This book shows how the actions we take in our gardens, allotments, balconies or window boxes can nurture habitats and wildlife, and offer hope. Caroline Lucas
This book spills joy all the way through. It made me want to do more of the little things that bring me closer to nature. I want to build a pond. I want to look for frogs. I want to continue trying to connect the land with the people. Jasmine Isa Qureshi
Kate is raising her voice and flying the flag, for the creatures and plants that have no voice of their own. And are in danger of being silenced for good. Barney Bardsley
