Go wild and create a haven for wildlife with Wildlife Gardening

Are you tempted to embrace the new trend for Wildlife Gardening? Numbers of various creatures including hedgehogs, bats, bees, butterflies, stag beetles, and some birds such as sparrows and song thrushes have all been declining in the UK in recent years. Habitat destruction, and the use of pesticides are amongst the reasons that have been blamed for this. The good news is that we can help to buck this trend if we manage our gardens to benefit wildlife so that these species and many more can find refuge. Here are 5 simple steps you can take into the world of wildlife gardening.

1. Bee happy … Plant some lavender and a buddleia

Lavender looks and smells beautiful and stirs up images of sun drenched Provence. And bees absolutely can’t get enough of it - what’s not to love? Plant lavender in borders adjacent to pathways so the scent is released as you brush past them. Add a bee house and you’ll be making a solitary bee very happy too.

If you’re a fan of the flutterby - and who isn’t - why not invest in a buddleia bush? When in bloom, buddleia have vibrant purple or white flowers which are striking and a real hit with butterflies. The great thing about both lavender and buddleia is that they are low maintenance and don’t require much attention. It’s a win win!

2. Feed and water the birds

There’s nothing more peaceful than drinking your morning cuppa whilst watching the blackbirds and sparrows hopping about on the lawn looking for their breakfast. Feeding birds in your garden is a peaceful and simple way to connect with nature and provide resources for wild birds. Temporary food shortage can occur at almost any time of the year, and if this happens during the breeding season, food from your bird table can make a real difference to the survival of young.

You could also grow some plants which produce berries so the birds can enjoy a meal that way too. Providing a source of bird food all year round will ensure you get lots of feathered friends in your garden. In exchange, they’ll do a great job of keeping insects like aphids at bay. Offering a bird bath will also be a source of joy for you and the birds.

3. Go Au Naturel and embrace the trend for ‘No Dig Gardening’

Letting your soil settle instead of disturbing it regularly will encourage soil-dwelling creatures to thrive and will also reduce the amount of weeds that grow. This approach is known as No Dig gardening. You could also try leaving a border intact rather than cutting down dead plants as this provides seed heads for birds to feed on and small creatures to shelter in. If you do cut back your plants, don’t do so before the end of winter as this gives the creatures a chance to move on. If you have a big enough garden and you’re happy to leave an area more au naturel - buttercups, daisies and nettles are all a great source of food for a whole variety of garden wildlife. Dandelions aren’t always very popular with gardeners but they are a great help for bees as they can provide pollen and nectar for them in early spring.

4. Go wild with grasses

Having plenty of grass and less patio is definitely a hit with the animals. When it comes to your lawn, you could try experimenting with areas of your lawn and leave some swathes long which can look attractive in the spring and summer as they will soon fill up with buttercups and daisies. Long grass provides shelter for small animals and a habitat for many insects. Short grass can also suit some species so keeping some of your lawn short by mowing it regularly allows foxes, birds and badgers access to slugs, grubs etc.

You could also try introducing some wildflowers to your lawn to add more colour and interest. Wildflowers provide food for pollinating insects, wild birds and even bats. In addition, they’re fast-growing and low-maintenance.

5. A Log Pile House

Creatures such as mice, hedgehogs, newts and toads love to shelter amongst piles of logs so by stacking a selection of logs you can provide them with their perfect habitat. Insects and slow worms also love this environment, as do fungi which can look beautiful when really well-established in the Autumn.

Pest control for wildlife gardening

Wildlife Gardening to create a haven for wildlife is an idyllic concept. However, most of us keen gardeners also take great pleasure in watching the seeds and bulbs we have planted and tended lovingly, transform into beautiful, colourful blooms, fruits and vegetables and this cannot be achieved without some effort to keep certain creatures at bay. You will inevitably come across certain pests in the garden but there are lots of sustainable ways to deal with them that don’t involve chemicals.

Try our Terra Slug product which is a great natural way to keep slugs and snails at bay. It is 100% natural – made from 100% British Sheep’s Wool. It is safe as it is chemical and pesticide-free and it is an effective barrier against Slugs and Snails because the wool fibres irritate the gastropods’ foot and the salinity in the sheep's wool acts as a powerful deterrent. Not only does it keep snails and slugs at bay but it actually improves plant growth as it contains biologically derived slow-release nutrients to improve soil conditioning.

You might also like to try Super-Grow which is 100 % Natural Plant Food & All-Purpose Fertiliser Pellets. The pellets which are simple and convenient to use and are chemical and peat-free. Super-Grow is made from plants for plants and is ideal for all your fruits and vegetables.

All our products are sustainably packaged too. Visit our website today for more information and to place your order. Don’t just take our word for it, give our products a go - we think you’ll be delighted with the results!

Good luck becoming one with nature and wildlife this Autumn.