Having a perfectly preened and aesthetically pleasing garden may be some peoples’ priority, but for many homeowners, it’s all about giving back to nature. Having a garden is a true privilege, and it’s one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Making sure that your garden has numerous elements that welcome local wildlife is fantastic for the ecosystem and the environment overall. When it comes to creating a sustainable garden, there are so many simple ideas that can help you to bring in more beautiful bugs, birds, and creatures throughout the year. With this in mind, here are a handful of ways in which you can create your very own unique wildlife-friendly garden.
1. Create a Neat and Tidy Zone
Before you get started with your wonderful and wildlife friendly garden, you need to pick a zone that is going to stay aesthetically pleasing, neat and tidy. Wild gardens can quickly get out of hand, which can cause chaos in a homeowner’s mind. Having a dedicated area to sit, relax and feel peaceful is super important before you start creating wild features that attract all sorts of beautiful creatures. This is where your lawn mower comes in useful, as you can use this to neaten up the grass around your dedicated tidy space. As soon as you get into a good routine with this area in your garden, you can start to focus on all of the important elements that will help local wildlife to thrive.
2. Control Pests Naturally
Every gardening enthusiast will instinctively want to keep pests away from certain areas of their garden. However, it’s very important to find natural ways to control pests rather than resorting to harmful chemicals, which could pose a danger to local wildlife. Luckily, there are so many incredible methods to create an eco-friendly garden that is free from pesticides. Whether you’re handpicking away the infestations, or growing plants close together so they have positive effects on each other, there is plenty that can be done to maintain control over unwanted visitors!
3. Invite Bees
Bees are amongst some of the most incredible creatures that should have a safe space to be in your garden. Having a bee shelter in your outdoor space gives them a spot to hide and nest during the colder months. Whether you’re building a bee house, or leaving a pile of untouched wood in a cozy spot in the garden, this can be the ideal place for bees to stay safe. Bees are hugely important to the ecosystem, and many of them are valuable pollinators, so it’s important to protect them as much as possible with a wildlife friendly garden.
4. Opt for the Wild Side
Although you may have your neat and tidy spot in your garden that is perfectly mowed and well-maintained, you should also consider the wild side for a more creature friendly area. Creating healthy habitats that support the growth of local wildlife is extremely rewarding, and it’s very simple to facilitate in your own garden. Allow certain areas of your lawn to grow slightly longer, leave seed heads on plants for insects and birds to eat too. This wilder approach is the ideal way to welcome more beautiful creatures into your outdoor space and give them a place to thrive.
5. Create a Bird Feeder
Building your very own homemade bird feeder is the ideal way to encourage local birds into your garden. Your feed can also provide them with vital support during the winter when food is harder to find. Creating a bird feeder out of materials you already have in your home is much simpler than you think too. Always keep a supply of fresh water on hand too so that they have something to drink as they nibble on seeds, crushed nuts and other crumbled leftovers you may have to give them.
6. Grow Pollinators
Plants are so important for any wildlife friendly garden. Growing pollinators is easy when you know how, and these will attract more butterflies, bees and birds. Flowers that are rich in nectar are ideal, so why not look into some of the best pollinators, such a honeysuckle and lavender, and plant them in your garden right away?
7. Say “No” To Pesticides
As mentioned above, pesticides are a big no-no if you’re hoping to create a rich and diverse garden that allows local creatures to thrive. Insects are some of the most important species within our ecosystem, so it’s important to avoid toxic pesticides and chemicals in your garden. You have the power to create a harmonious balance between bugs, plants and pests in your garden, and this can also enrich your outdoor space too. Try to avoid unnecessary pesticides in your soil and on your plants, as this can cause serious harm to insects, birds and other wildlife, as they all impact each other.
8. Add a Wildlife-Friendly Pond
Water is clearly a very important element when it comes to wildlife, so having a pond in your garden is only going to help all creatures thrive. There are numerous benefits of having a wildlife pond in your backyard, and it can prove to be an incredibly valuable habitat for numerous species. You could buy fish to live in your pond, or you could welcome birds to come and drink or bathe. You may also notice that frogs visit your pond during the springtime and lay eggs. This beautiful process can be witnessed through every season, and it doesn’t need to be a huge pond in order to have a great impact. As long as you place it in a sunny spot and clear from any trees, it will prove to be one of the most valuable spots across the entirety of your outdoor space.
Hopefully, you can take some of the simple ideas mentioned here to create a wildlife-friendly garden that exudes beauty in more ways than one. Although you may want to create pockets of neat and tidy outdoor space, you can also make decisions with nature in mind too. Whether you’re building your own bird feeders, or adding a wonderful wildlife pond, there are so many incredible ideas to help you create a meaningful and planet-friendly garden that can be enjoyed by everyone!
Published by HOLR Magazine.