It can be hard to find a balance between a garden that looks stunning and one that encourages local wildlife. Well, finding that balance doesn’t have to be a struggle anymore. The UK is teeming with wildlife and your garden can help support a wide variety of species. From buzzing bees to fluttering butterflies, your lawn can become a sanctuary for all creatures great and small. Here are just a few things you can do in your garden to encourage local wildlife back into your green space.
Water Wonders
During summer months water can be scarce for wildlife, so it is important to try and help out where you can. Water features add a sense of luxury to a garden, so for those of you feeling ambitious consider building your own miniature wildlife pond. This can make for a rewarding garden project, but adding any small water feature such as bird bath or even a shallow dish can be a lifeline for thirsty critters.
Wildflower Wonderland
Native plant populations in the UK have declined, leaving many of our UK insect species struggling to survive. From bees to butterflies UK pollinators are important in keeping our plant life happy and healthy, but they can’t work on empty stomachs! Try planting a hearty mix of native UK plants to turn your garden into a pollination hotspot. Native plants are often easy to take care of and low maintenance, making them perfect plants for the struggling gardener. Your garden will be brimming with colour and in summer months you can sit back and watch the wildlife flourish.
Hotel Retreat
You may not be a fan of creepy crawlies, but insects play an important role within your garden and the natural environment around it. Think of insects like hidden helpers working to break down dead plant material and keeping your soil rich and healthy. Having a healthy abundance of insects present will also encourage more desirable wildlife like birds into your garden. To help support these tiny helpers consider building or purchasing a bug hotel. These little bug abodes provide shelter for insects from beetles to centipedes, turning your plot into a luxury stay for smaller guests.
Check out the video blow for Chester Zoo's 'how to build a bug hotel' guide!
Hedgehog Highway
This is a simple and easy way to encourage small mammals to enter and utilise your garden space. By allowing small mammals like voles, hedgehogs, and even shrews access to your garden you are getting guaranteed slug pest control. Try to create a small hole in your garden fence to allow animals to pass through, consider it a hedgehog highway but expect the occasional fox to squeeze through too!
Trusty Trees
Though a fully grown tree can be expensive, consider investing in a sapling. Native fruit trees or even a decorative tree can add that special touch to your space whilst sheltering variety of wildlife like birds and squirrels. Not only will the wildlife love it, but you can enjoy harvesting fruit from your very own native apple tree. It’s a win- win!
Nocturnal visitors
Bird boxes can be a great way of encouraging flying visitors into your green space, but they aren’t the only flying guests that need homes. The UK is home to 18 bat species, all of which are tiny, fluffy, and great at catching those biting flying insects. Our UK bats are in urgent need of protection and have suffered due to large habitat declines, so lend a helping hand and consider adding a bat box to your garden. You won’t regret it!
Share the garden party
A garden isn’t just for you to look at, so make sure to spend some quality family time enjoying the green haven you have created. Here is an activity idea to get you enjoying your plot whilst giving wildlife that extra helping hand:
Creature café
Host a "Creature Comfort Café" in your garden. Set up a picnic-style gathering with a wide selection of fruit waste, nuts, seeds, and bird suet. Now all you need to do is set up your own human picnic spread, sit with your family, and wait. You will be able to enjoy an afternoon lunch with a wide variety of feathered garden visitors. Your own miniature garden party will make for a delightful way to educate your friends and family about local wildlife as you enjoy their company. So, grab your scones and teacups, and enjoy!
There you have it; with a touch of creativity and some helpful hints you can make the most of your garden whilst giving local wildlife a supportive boost! So go ahead and turn your space into a thriving oasis. Happy gardening!
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