Alina W

wild life in the park

They certainly are - you're very lucky.

Do i 'Grow' or 'Cover'??

Leave it open to the air so that frost can break down the soil further. If you want to warm it you can cover it for about six weeks before you want to plant.

the birds and bees

Antirrhinums are another bee favourite.

Planting out Lupins

Yes, I agree - in a greenhouse over winter. And make sure that they are good-sized plants when you put them out, and protect from slugs and snails.

Starlings

You can try changing what you feed.

Starlings are very fond of fat balls, so you could stop feeding them and switch to mixed seed instead - that might give the smaller birds a better chance.

Also, you can get fine mesh feeders which starlings can't get their beaks through - have a look in a good garden centre.

Autumn planting of Alliums (not!!)

Yes, that'll be fine.

Seed companies

T&M and Suttons are my choice - both reliable.

Can I start a holly hedge with bareroot plants?

I'm not sure that you'll find one - the thing about bare root whips is that they have no leaves, preventing water loss through them. Holly is an evergreen, so that's not possible.

Moving Irises now?

You're unlikely to get flowers next year if you move them now - they're best moved and split straight after flowering. If you don't mind that you will be OK.

Spent plants

The so-called "bedding asters" that Jenghil describes are perennials, as s/he says. However, some asters are only annuals, it's quite true.