The Garden Jungle

Synopsis

**SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**

The Garden Jungle is a wonderful introduction to the hundreds of small creatures with whom we
live cheek-by-jowl and of the myriad ways that we can encourage them to thrive.

The Garden Jungle is about the wildlife that lives right under our noses, in our gardens and parks, between the gaps in the pavement, and in the soil beneath our feet. Wherever you are right now, the chances are that there are worms, woodlice, centipedes, flies, silverfish, wasps, beetles, mice, shrews and much, much more, quietly living within just a few paces of you.

Dave Goulson gives us an insight into the fascinating and sometimes weird lives of these creatures, taking us burrowing into the compost heap, digging under the lawn and diving into the garden pond. He explains how our lives and ultimately the fate of humankind are inextricably intertwined with that of earwigs, bees, lacewings and hoverflies, unappreciated heroes of the natural world.

The Garden Jungle is at times an immensely serious book, exploring the environmental harm inadvertently done by gardeners who buy intensively reared plants in disposable plastic pots, sprayed with pesticides and grown in peat cut from the ground. Goulson argues that gardens could become places where we can reconnect with nature and rediscover where food comes from.

For anyone who has a garden, and cares about our planet, this book is essential reading.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Garden Jungle

* Explores the concept of the garden jungle, a wild and untamed ecosystem that thrives in the backyard.
* Real example: A suburban backyard that has been transformed into a lush jungle with towering trees, blooming shrubs, and a vibrant ecosystem of birds, insects, and small animals.

Chapter 2: Creating a Garden Jungle

* Provides practical advice on how to design and establish a garden jungle.
* Real example: A step-by-step guide to creating a garden jungle in an average suburban yard, including selecting appropriate plants, improving soil conditions, and attracting wildlife.

Chapter 3: The Plant Palette

* Introduces the wide variety of plants that thrive in garden jungles.
* Real example: A showcase of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that attract pollinators, provide food for birds, and create a beautiful and natural environment.

Chapter 4: The Role of Wildlife

* Emphasizes the importance of wildlife in a garden jungle ecosystem.
* Real example: A detailed account of the fascinating behaviors and interactions of birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles that inhabit garden jungles.

Chapter 5: Maintenance and Sustainability

* Provides guidance on how to maintain the health and vitality of a garden jungle.
* Real example: A practical guide to watering, fertilizing, mulching, and pruning to ensure the long-term success of a garden jungle ecosystem.

Chapter 6: The Transformative Power of a Garden Jungle

* Explores the benefits of garden jungles for human health, well-being, and the environment.
* Real example: A moving account of how a garden jungle has brought joy, peace, and connection with nature to a suburban family.

Chapter 7: The Future of Garden Jungles

* Discusses the growing popularity of garden jungles and their potential to inspire ecological consciousness.
* Real example: A vision of a future where garden jungles become commonplace, promoting biodiversity, providing habitat for wildlife, and enhancing the quality of life in urban and suburban areas.