Wildlife Gardening
Bumblebee
The UK's 15 million gardens already provide important homes for
wildlife, but we can do so much more. Many creatures that are declining
in the countryside, such as the common frog, song thrush and hedgehog,
can thrive in domestic gardens and other areas if we provide the right
conditions for them.
Three ideas to attract wildlife:
- Setting up birdfeeders, nest boxes, ladybird lodges and feeding hedgehogs will attract wildlife and are superb ways of getting children interested.
- For smaller urban gardens, roof terraces or balconies having a window-box with flowering plants such as lavender will attract hoverflies, bees and butterflies. It is recommended to choose plants with the RHS ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ logo and to avoid plants with double flowers as these may lack nectar or pollen.
- For households with space, building a pond will provide a rich habitat that attracts lots of different insects and animals. Making a pond with different depths will encourage a greater range of insects such as dragonflies and water beetles, as well as toads and frogs. Very shallow sloping edges are important – this is where the largest variety of pond creatures is found. A pond is also the ideal place for birds to bathe.
Morag Shuaib, The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wildlife Garden Awards Project Manager, says “Gardens are part of a network of mini wildlife havens which link up habitats across the UK. All are a vital source of shelter and food, especially in winter when many species need warm, dry spaces in which to bed down.
“Taking action is simple and can often involve not doing things. So, resist pruning your more strikingly architectural perennials and let them provide a home for over-wintering insects. Leave rotting wood to decay in a pile and see if it becomes a home to beetles, fungi, centipedes and more. This kind of approach will reward you with many more garden visitors once spring arrives and sheltering creatures become more active again.”
Wildlife gardening
Everyone can be a wildlife gardener. Whether you are an expert
gardener or simply enjoy growing plants on a patio, in a few tubs or on
an allotment, there is lots you can do to encourage wildlife to visit.
BumblebeeThree ideas to attract wildlife:
- Setting up birdfeeders, nest boxes, ladybird lodges and feeding hedgehogs will attract wildlife and are superb ways of getting children interested.
- For smaller urban gardens, roof terraces or balconies having a window-box with flowering plants such as lavender will attract hoverflies, bees and butterflies. It is recommended to choose plants with the RHS ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ logo and to avoid plants with double flowers as these may lack nectar or pollen.
- For households with space, building a pond will provide a rich habitat that attracts lots of different insects and animals. Making a pond with different depths will encourage a greater range of insects such as dragonflies and water beetles, as well as toads and frogs. Very shallow sloping edges are important – this is where the largest variety of pond creatures is found. A pond is also the ideal place for birds to bathe.
Morag Shuaib, The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wildlife Garden Awards Project Manager, says “Gardens are part of a network of mini wildlife havens which link up habitats across the UK. All are a vital source of shelter and food, especially in winter when many species need warm, dry spaces in which to bed down.
“Taking action is simple and can often involve not doing things. So, resist pruning your more strikingly architectural perennials and let them provide a home for over-wintering insects. Leave rotting wood to decay in a pile and see if it becomes a home to beetles, fungi, centipedes and more. This kind of approach will reward you with many more garden visitors once spring arrives and sheltering creatures become more active again.”
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