6 simple ways to attract more wildlife to your garden

The United Nations World Wildlife Day is an international event celebrated every year on 3 March to raise awareness of the importance of wild animals and plants.

So, with the warmer weather and longer days of spring just around the corner, it’s an ideal time to dust off your gardening gloves and do your bit to protect local flora and fauna.

Whether you have a small patio or a large estate, there’s plenty you can do to encourage birds, bees, butterflies and more to visit your little corner of the world.

Here are six practical tips for creating a garden that both you and visiting wildlife can enjoy.

1. Plant trees and shrubs

As part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Urban Gardens Project, scientists reviewed worldwide research to explore the vital role that gardens play in towns and cities. The findings revealed that larger plants, particularly trees, support more wildlife.

As well as providing food, trees and shrubs also offer shelter and nesting sites for animals, insects, and birds.

 

Fruit trees are a great addition to your garden – both you and your garden wildlife can enjoy their crop.

If you have limited space, rowan, crab apple, and hawthorn are smaller options that burst with blossom and berries in season.

2. Choose native plants and flowers

If you’re just getting started as a gardener, you might have noticed the huge range of plants and flowers there is to choose from.

However, when it comes to attracting wildlife, not all vegetation is created equal. Non-native species may look pretty, but they could crowd out the native flowers that pollinators – such as bees, butterflies and beetles – have evolved to feed from.

 

By opting for native plants such as forget-me-not, foxglove, and chamomile, you could grow flowers that complement your garden design and provide a valuable food source for birds, bats, and insects.

3. Create a cosy home for birds, bugs and hedgehogs

The wildlife in your garden may benefit from somewhere warm and dry to cosy up during poor weather, hibernation season, or when nesting.

Happily, there are plenty of ready-made homes you could buy and install for garden wildlife, such as bee hotels and hedgehog houses.

 

Alternatively, you could try your hand at creating a DIY habitat. This could be a fun project for keen crafters and little ones.

Even leaving piles of dead wood in a quiet spot could provide valuable cover and hibernation sites for creatures such as stag and bark beetles.

4. Provide a water source

Birds and mammals need a regular supply of water year-round, and in extreme weather, this could be a lifeline.

You can buy a ready-made water source that suits the size of your garden, be that a dish, bird bath, or pond.

However, DIY options – such as filling a plant pot or an old washing-up bowl – work just as well.

 

Remember to keep the water clean and topped up – especially in the warmer months when water can quickly evaporate.

Your water source may attract more wildlife if you place it near popular habitats such as trees or shrubs.

5. Grow a wild patch

Constantly mowing grass, cutting back shrubs, and spraying chemicals on your garden can make it harder for small creatures, such as butterfly caterpillars, to find the safe food and shelter they need.

This doesn’t mean you need to abandon your carefully planned and meticulously maintained landscape design.

If you like to keep your garden immaculate, with closely cut lawns and tidy borders, consider allowing a small, discreet patch of grass or border to grow longer.

 

For extra brownie points, scatter some wildflower seeds to create a haven for bees and butterflies.

6. Compost your garden waste

Composting is a great way to turn garden and food waste into a valuable resource that could improve the structure of your soil and provide a nutritious meal for wildlife. You’ll also be doing your bit for the environment by recycling.

You can compost almost any vegetable or garden waste. However, avoid adding pernicious weeds, such as crouch grass and creeping buttercup.

 

When it comes to setting up your composting system, there are lots of options to choose from, including closed compost bins and open compost heaps.

Whichever method you choose it usually takes around six months for decomposers – fungi, bacteria, earthworms and centipedes – to work their magic on your garden and kitchen waste.

You’ll then be able to spread your compost over the soil to nourish your plants and feed all the creatures that now flock to your garden.

Get in touch

Spring isn’t only a great time to tidy up your garden, it’s also an excellent season to spruce up your finances.

If you’re looking for a financial planner in Bristol who can help you, please get in touch either by email at helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or by calling 0117 9303510.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.