8th November 2022
It is shocking to learn that during the Second World War, 95% of the UK's wildflower meadows have been destroyed, leaving many of our rare plants and animals in peril. There is something we can do, though. L&J Outdoor offers high-quality planting design services, and we have experienced first-hand how important it is to create wildlife-friendly spaces in our backyards. Use these five crucial strategies to aid your neighbourhood ecosystem.
FEED THE BIRDS
The ecosystem of any garden depends heavily on our feathery companions, but in today's terrain, there isn't always enough wild food to support them. When food sources are few or they are caring for their young, feeding them can help to secure their survival. In the winter, scatter seeds; in the spring, fat balls packed with protein. Just put them high up or away from cats, preferably beside a thorny shrub. Be ready to ward off more unpleasant critters as well. For large birds or squirrels, feeders are available with spring-loaded covers that close.
CHOOSE YOUR PLANTS CAREFULLY
Plant pollinator-friendly plants instead of more common ones to aid wild bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; marigolds, violets, and sunflowers are better options than roses, tulips, and daffodils. Climbers, like clematis and honeysuckle, offer nectar for pollinators as well as a place for birds to build their nests.
You must, however, ensure that the plants you select are suitable for your soil and location. Also keep in mind that a weed is simply a plant growing in the incorrect location! Be prepared to let the grass and other weeds grow because buttercups, daisies, and nettles are an important source of nutrition for butterflies, moths, and other insects.
CREATE A COMPOST HEAP
Compost heaps are a haven for woodlice, worms, and other insect species, and homemade compost organically nourishes the soil. Frogs, toads, sluggish worms, and even grass snakes can be drawn to you.
Making compost out of food scraps and potato peelings rather than dumping them in the trash benefits the environment by lowering landfill methane emissions. By fostering fungi, millipedes, and woodlice, leaving certain heaps of dead wood nearby your compost heap will benefit wildlife.
INSTALL A POND
Amphibian animals like frogs and newts can be found in ponds and can help keep pesky insects at bay. Make sure your structure has sloping sides rather than vertical walls and strategically placed branches to provide animals' easy access. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or deep shadow and plant some water lilies to help keep it from becoming stagnant. It doesn't need to be enormous. A sizable birdbath can serve the same purpose without putting kids in danger of falling in.
BUILD A ROCKERY
Numerous different types of insects can find a home in a rockery, and these insects will in turn draw birds and other animals that eat them. A rockery is a terrific space-saving technique to use plants to add interest on multiple levels while supporting a wide diversity of plant species.
COMPASS GARDEN DESIGN
Contact us if you need assistance creating a wildlife-friendly and sustainable garden, either as a standalone area or a section inside a larger garden.
To determine which sustainable species will thrive in your garden, we provide a plant counselling service that takes into consideration elements like soil and sunlight. Then, we can offer everything from young trees to little annuals.
We'll perform a thorough survey and produce the first sketches after our initial meeting. These will be followed by thorough plans that incorporate elements like ponds and rockeries before our network of tried-and-true regional partners start working.