Creating a Wildlife Haven

Creating Your Own Wildlife Haven 

Have you spent January planning for the year ahead? What to sow, where to plant, what to move, the failures & successes?

I know I have spent many of the first few weeks of January making lists and plans of plants to grow, but this year I also want to use my space to encourage more wildlife.  Outdoor spaces can be a prime resource for insects, birds and amphibians and I think it is more important than ever that we consider how we can utilise our spaces to encourage wildlife. 

Whether you have balcony in the city, a small patio or large rural garden, there are many simple ways to create a refuge for wildlife, without compromising on the aesthetics or practicality of your space. 

Below I have set out some key design elements that will encourage wildlife to your garden, without spending a small fortune. 

1. Water: Water in the garden is always a huge plus when it comes to attracting wildlife, even tiny ponds such as a small trough or saucer can accommodate a frog or two! Water also provides bathing and drinking for birds. Larger pools or ponds can support many species including margins and aquatics, and encourage a visit from a dragon fly or two! 

Bird House

2. Nest boxes: Wild birds and bats often lack nest sites, particularly in inner cities. Position a range of nest boxes around your space, attach to walls, trees or beneath the eaves

of a shed to provide the perfect space for these species to nest.  

Top Tip! Help birds this winter by placing fat blocks in wire cages. You can even make your own fat blocks at home with the family, by melting suet into moulds such as coconut shells or logs with holes drilled in. 

3. Green Roofs: Are your bins or bikes stored in your back or front garden.. Or do you have a shed that needs a little bit of love?! Consider a green roof... green roofs can be added to any flat roofs or (bike & bin) stores and become prime real estate for wildlife & insects! Ensure the surface is waterproof and well supported, then simply lay pre-planted sedum matting or sedum plug plants to your roof. 

Bug Hotel :
A link to Garden Therapy's
 step by step guide to
creating your very
own bug hotel. 

5. Insect Nests: Provide a hibernation station for ladybirds or a nesting site for masonry bees, by filling pots with hollow bamboo stems! This is a super low-cost and simple way of creating a bug hotel. Log piles are also a great way to encourage insects to your garden with little cost. 

This is just a small snapshot of some of the simple, low-cost solutions that could in incorporated into your space to encourage a host of activity! 

If you have any further tips of tricks I would love to know or feature you! Find me at emmaatkinsongardendesign_ on insta :-) 

Happy Haven Creating! Emma 

If this has inspired you, find out how you can introduce further wildlife at:   RSPB & RHS Wildlife Gardening & Butterfly Conservation