BBC News reports leading garden retailers are still failing to stop the sale of peat in compost despite pressure from the government and campaigners. The Wildlife Trusts said only one of 20 retailers contacted said it would eliminate peat from its shelves this year.

The restoration of peatlands is a key part of the government’s strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change. Highly absorbent, it also helps with flood prevention.

However, one peat producer told the BBC that since lockdown there had been a surge in interest in gardening. Demand for peat was “unprecedented” and there was currently no viable alternative.

iNEWS reports just a few meters away from the Overground rail track at Brondesbury Park, in north-west London overgrown, dilapidated surrounding land has been transformed by the company, Energy Garden, into a biodiverse, productive garden powered by solar. A sign attached to a fence invites anyone to come in and water the plants with a solar powered hose. This station is one of 34 to be similarly renovated. 

 The Times, Daily Telegraph, and Daily Mail report they have been paved over, concreted and covered with gravel, more noted for their bins and bicycles than their begonias. But after decades of neglect, Britain’s front gardens are greening up. The amount of front garden greenery across the nation has grown by an area seventy times the size of Hyde Park since 2015, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. The gardening charity says the increase in front gardens that have been planted up should bring far-ranging benefits to people’s health and wellbeing, as well as the environment and wildlife. 

The Leader reports gardeners are being urged to hang out fat balls and avoid turning their compost heaps in order to help wildlife this autumn. Gardening experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk have shared six tips to help look after autumn wildlife.

From the humble hedgehog to toads and frogs, wildlife found in gardens across the country are starting to adapt and prepare for the winter ahead. Ensuring the animals have access to food, water and shelter will mean they have a much better chance of surviving the winter.

Bill Stanworth photo of male common toad croaking in garden pond.