Gardening with wildlife

Gardens have great potential for nature. There are about 15 million gardens in the UK and they make up about a quarter of urban areas.

You can make a difference to conserving biodiversity in your community by providing the right conditions in your garden for wildlife to thrive.

Aim for maximum variety in vegetation height, structure and plant choice.
Grow a mixture of native and non-native plants that flower at different times of the year and provide pollen, nectar and berries.
Provide water for birds and other animals.
Leave a section of grass to grow into a mini-meadow.
Retain leaves, stems and seedheads on plants during winter to provide shelter and food for invertebrates and birds.
Create a wild corner specifically for providing food and shelter for wildlife - nettles, log piles, leaf heaps are excellent choices.
Cover bare walls and fences with climbers to give extra wildlife habitats.
Supply additional features such as nest boxes and bird feeders.
Reduce the use of chemicals and choose disease resistant plants and the right plants for your local conditions. Consider gardening organically.
Avoid using peat and recycle your kitchen and garden waste by creating a compost heap - an excellent home and feeding ground for invertebrates.
Conserve water by collecting rainwater, choosing drought resistant plants and using mulch. In dry spells avoid watering the lawn and mow on a high setting.

More information is available at :

Biodiversity