Creating a Wildlife Friendly Garden
Climate change and habitat loss has put the UK’s native wildlife at risk, but you can make a difference.
2 minute read
There are many ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden, no matter how green your fingers are or how small the outside space. Welcome guests to your garden with these tips.
Hedgehogs
- Remove a small section of your hedge or fence to allow hedgehogs into your garden and encourage your neighbours to do the same
- Leave out cat or dog food, dried fruit, or cooked vegetables; avoid milk and bread, as these can make hedgehogs very ill
- Create a log pile in a quiet spot; this will provide somewhere safe for hedgehogs to hide, sleep and hibernate. Hedgehogs hibernate from November to March
- Avoid using slug pellets, as hedgehogs will feed on the slugs. If you have a slug problem, make a beer trap by cutting a plastic bottle in half, filling it with beer and burying it in the ground
Bees and Butterflies
- Plant nectar and pollen-rich plants, such as hollyhock, lavender, sunflowers and poppies
- Avoid using pesticides; these can be toxic to bees and will disrupt the natural ecosystem
- Plant a hedge or bush to allow somewhere safe for your pollinators to shelter and breed, or purchase an artificial nesting box
- Create a bee and butterfly bath by placing a shallow saucer at ground level and filling it with fresh water. Add a few stones to create landing pads
Frogs, Newts and Toads
- Create a small pond to provide a habitat for newts and frogs. Make sure it has shallow edges, to allow easy access
- Avoid introducing fish to your pond, as most species will eat the frog eggs
- Introduce native pond plants; these will infuse the water with oxygen and provide shelter
- Make a home for a toad by turning a ceramic flowerpot upside down on a muddy patch and making a toad-sized entrance hole. Position in a shady spot or near a water source, such as a pond or saucer of water
