We are in a time where more developers are knocking down trees and pulling up earth than ever before. And for the most part, we can be pretty powerless to help. But with the small spaces of garden or even a balcony, we can make a difference to the native species around us.
So how do you make your beautiful garden wildlife-friendly?
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Corridors
This is a fun thing to do and doesn’t take too long, either. Create spaces with fewer flowers and more mud. Connect different areas around your garden this way, and it will help to encourage frogs, newts and other invertebrates to use the space. You will often see in nature that different species of wildflowers and glades will have spaces that animals naturally use to walk around.
You can do this with ease and a few hours.
Pollinators
Save the bees is something you will see on a lot of T-shirts, bags and more. And it is true, we should all be making an effort to help our fuzzy friends. But many other pollinators make a difference to the environment too.
You can help cater to their feeding habits with nectar-rich plants. The scent will be irresistible to butterflies, bees and more. But as well as the flowers to draw them in, there needs to be space for them to lay eggs, and for caterpillars to munch on foliage too. Once you know the butterflies that your garden already attracts you can plant extras of what they enjoy feeding on.
Birds
An increase in the number of insects will naturally bring in extra birds. But if you want to take care of them in a more beneficial way, then you should consider setting up feeding stations. The number of bird visitors you get will rise over the years, so make sure you choose the right food from Little Peckers for the birds that are in your location.
You can choose to put up bird feeders that squirrels can’t access too, they often have domes and smaller access holes.
As well as feeding the bird, you can create spaces for them to nest in. Although they are often happy enough in trees and hedges, you can add extra spaces. You will need to do a little research on which nesting boxes are best for the birds in your area.
And typically they are used year after year too.
Stick
This might be the most simple thing you can do. Place a pile of sticks in the corner of the garden. This will provide a ready-made shelter for many animals. Place some earth around the base, so some of the sticks are covered, and this will create a more welcoming humid environment.
There is little in life as lovely as holding a hot cup of coffee on a summer morning, and looking out to see birds singing and flying around your garden, and watching the butterflies and bees dance around the garden later in the day. The changes are simple and inexpensive too.
