I get a little reminiscent of the game Dungeon Keeper when strolling around my backyard. Each and every different habitat from patio to fence is a bit like the different rooms you could build in the game, with different types of wildlife living therein like the games monsters.
Many people are concerned about how to attract more wildlife to there garden. The truth is even in the most blandest of gardens you could be providing a haven for many different creatures. Here are a few suggestions as to what you could add to attract more.
A compost heap – this should be a must for all gardens that have a lawn or soil patch. About 60% of all household waste can be composted, providing norishment for the soil as it decomposes into a rich dark soil with the aid of worms, mites and natural biodegrading bacterium. It truly acts as the heart of all gardens. For more information on composting visit here.
A nettle patch would bring a home to over 30 species of butterfly larvae. Truly nobody likes the thought of having an area that may cause a sting, but if sectioned off from the main area or even in pots it may make all the difference. Cuttings will also go in the aforementioned compost heap nicely.
A pond is not only pleasing to wildlife but also to the eye. However as we are talking wildlife friendly here, it should be made clear that no fish are placed into it as they will eat other creatures as well as their eggs/offspring. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is to install the pond and leave it. Over time natures own will find there way without any more help from you. Dont forget to add a couple of nice aquatic plants to tempt them along.
A log pile can attract all manner of bugs, or even the odd toad or newt looking for shelter. If tall enough, holes can be drilled into the logs, 8-12mm wide and about 10cm deep. These will provide much needed homes for solitary bees to lay their larvae. About July/August time, occupancy will be given away by soil or leaf matter blocking the openings. At this time make sure no-one tampers with them, as bees play a huge role in pollenating our fruit and veg. 800 million pounds worth in the UK to be precise.
Wooden fencing and shed walls will provide an area for caterpillars to chrysalise, as well as foundations for spiders to build their webs and help keep the fly and ant population down that extra bit.
Walls and patio areas may not look like they are doing a lot, but on closer inspection maybe you will see a variety of different insects living within the chips and cracks. I remember watching those little red mites crawling over our neighbours walls when I was young. Ants may colonise under the patio areas and be an amazing site when all the flying ones errupt from the lair opening, providing a nice snack for swallows and other birds. Careful you don’t get an infestation though.
Trees are a nice edition to any garden large enough to have a wooded area. They can provide both shelter and food for birds depending on what type you decide to plant. Once again small twigs, sticks can be broken down and placed into the composter. The leaves will fill it up nicely too unless you use them to make leaflitter.
More soon…
The Phantom Gardener 