Love Garden Blog

Because of increasing urbanisation, many species of wildlife are at risk. Gardeners are in a unique position to help, by creating a garden that is welcoming for wild creatures. Organic gardening and a few small changes can create an oasis for different species and will enable healthy wildlife. Here are four tips for having a garden that is wildlife friendly:

• Use water.

Water is necessary for most life forms on our planet. Providing water is inevitably going to encourage wildlife to appear. Set out clean water in a bowl or fountain, or consider digging a pond in a corner of your garden. Providing water allows birds to bathe, animails to drink, and insects to breed in.

• Don’t use insecticides and pesticides.

Insects are usually the lowest part of any healthy food chain cycle. Use of these chemicals will decimate the insect population upon which other populations depend. In addition, when chemicals are used insects that are beneficial to the growth of your garden die along with the harmful ones. To care for your garden in the absense of pesticides, try using mulch and other organic means.

• Grow plants that encourage wildlife.

Gardening for wildlife may not promote the neatest of gardens, but gardens that encourage wildlife are some of the most visually stimulating because of the wide variety of plants involved. Plants that provide ample nectar, such as marigolds and honeysuckle, will lure bees and butterflies. Plants that have berries are favorite of birds. If you hope to lure birds, make sure to provide plants such as sunflowers and crabapples.

Plan for all seasons, planting varieties with prominent seedheads that retain a striking look even in winter, and providing seeds for birds and other small animals to eat throughout the year.

• Provide shelter.

This can be done in ways that are surprisingly simple. Put out nesting boxes for birds, who will appreciate a safe place to roost. Set up a stack of wood or logs in the corner of the garden. This will encourage slugs, worms, and other insects, and larger animals will come by to eat them. Larger animals might use the stack of wood as a resting place.

A garden that is teeming with wildlife is a wonderful way to experience nature. By making a few small changes, your garden will hum with life and you will be able to enjoy interacting with those who share the nature with us.