WE moved into our house six years ago (how did that happen?) and the garden was what the developer called a “blank canvas”. Which means there was nothing in it.

It wasn’t a huge concern, it allowed me to plan it as I wanted and allowed me to aim for a low-maintenance garden. I think I have been relatively successful in that regard, although it doesn’t always feel like it as I attack another rogue bramble.

I didn’t get it all right, naturally. I got plants from friends and nurseries and I know I over-planted in places, but it’s good to get an immediate effect.

Six years on and the garden is starting to look good. The trees and shrubs have settled in well and are getting quite big and there are lots of ferns in the Cornish hedging we have.

It’s good to remember that this isn’t just our garden, it’s home to lots of insects and animals.

It’s estimated there are almost two million acres of gardens in the UK. That’s a pretty big area and it acts as a haven for wildlife. Luckily, of the 22,000-plus insect species in Britain, less than one per cent are classed as pests. However, it doesn’t take many slugs to decimate smaller plants so that’s not much comfort but I know they are an important food source for hedgehogs, a species that needs all the help it can get.

So, I’m doing what I can to help our little friends. I’ve reduced the area of grass we mow, no hardship there, and put in a wildlife pond which I’m glad to say has resident frogs, beetles and plants.

And because I’ve put in a lot of bushes and trees bearing berries, the garden is a proper little larder for wildlife now.