The past year and a half of lockdowns encouraged many of us to experiment with our green thumbs, venturing out into the garden to make the most of the great outdoors!
And as sustainability and protecting precious eco-systems continues to be high on everyone’s priority list, it’s important to do everything we can to protect floral and fauna on our doorstep in the UK.
Whether you have acre upon acre to play with, or a modest patch of paving, there are plenty of changes you can make to encourage wildlife to make a home there — allowing you to do your bit for the environment, while reducing stress levels and boosting wellbeing in the process.
Here are some top suggestions for transforming your garden into a haven for birds, bees, and other tiny creatures….
1. Open an insect hotel
A simple yet effective approach to welcome smaller creatures is to build — or buy — an insect hotel.
If opting to DIY, simply cluster bamboo canes and branches together inside a wooden frame, tuck away in the shrubbery or mount on the wall, and let the insects do the rest!
2. Provide refreshments
It’s important to supply birds and other wildlife with plenty of food throughout autumn and winter to help them keep their energy levels high. Fill bird feeders with a variety of snacks from suet balls to mixed seeds and enjoy watching the different species flock to the garden.
Plus, keep a bird bath filled up with water all year round — and ensure it doesn’t freeze over in the cold weather.
3. Build hedges, not fences
Hedges can serve as ‘corridors’ for animals and insects to travel from garden to garden while remaining safely undercover.
If you select a flowering hedge, these will also provide berries in autumn and winter, drawing even more peckish visitors to your space!
4. Let it grow
And finally, take a break from the lawn mower. Long grass is a novelty in garden habitats these days, and something that insects — and wildflower species — relish.
Select a quiet corner in your garden to let the grass grow and you’ll soon create a shelter for mini creatures with barely any effort at all.
