You should have high ambitions for your garden. After all, done correctly, it can provide a lovely living area that you and your family get to enjoy all year round. There’s nothing better than spending a long summer’s day in the garden relaxing and having fun with our nearest and dearest by our sides!
But it’s not just our families who can enjoy our gardens. With a little fine-tuning, nature’s wonderful creatures can enjoy it, too. British wildlife could do with a helping hand, and by making a few easy adjustments to your garden, you can ensure that they find that support right on your property.
Keep the Grass Long
Now, we’re not saying your yard should be a wild retreat full of overgrown grass. Wildlife would appreciate it, but it’ll likely give your property the ‘this home is abandoned’ vibe, which is probably not what you’re looking for.
But there’s value in keeping your grass slightly long, and by that, we mean not hyper-short. Certain plant and insect species thrive in grass that has a bit of length to it. Plus, it’ll still be soft and well-manicured, so you’re unlikely to notice the difference.
Provide Food
Want to attract birds, squirrels, and other nature visitors? Then look at providing the two things that all wildlife looks for: food and shelter. Look at adding bird boxes to your garden and you’ll notice plenty of visitors stopping by your property. It’s best to buy food specifically designed for bird feeders, rather than just putting out bread. It’s also important to keep the boxes well away from cats, who would very much love to enjoy a meal of their own. Keep in mind that when you invite wildlife in, you are opening up to unwanted wildlife as well. Plus, if you are putting the food and shelter too close to your home, there is a chance they can make their way indoors. Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with that, but there is always a chance. So if you do have an issue and you need to look for experts to help you out, going online and searching for “bat removal near me” for instance, will help you find what you need before your home is over-run.
Insect-Friendly Plants
Wildlife doesn’t just mean birds, hedgehogs, and frogs. It also includes all those important insects that play such a vital role in keeping the ecosystem in check. Bees, in particular, are under threat and could do with some support. You can give them a helping hand while also elevating the look of your garden by planting insect-friendly plants in your garden. Popular options include Single Snowdrop Bulbs In The Green, Catmint, and Winter Honeysuckle, all of which will help to attract bees to your yard. Looking to attract butterflies? Add Sedums, and you’ll notice dozens of visitors on any given day.
Add a Water Feature
We think a water feature is an excellent addition not just for its aesthetic and relaxation properties, but it can also be highly beneficial for attracting wildlife. You’ll notice plenty of birds, including large herons, making their way to your garden to see what’s happening beyond the water, and you’ll also likely end up with a small but manageable frog family, too.
Make Your Garden a Highway
Finally, make sure that wildlife can pass through your garden. Even if they’re not interested in your plants and food, they’ll want to make their way from one place to the next. If you have an overly fortified fence, then they’ll have no way of making it through. A small hole at the bottom will do the trick.
