Animal magic

Attracting wildlife into your garden is not only fun but will also help protect your vegetables from unwelcome pests in an environmentally friendly way. The key is to ensure that there is water and as many different habitats as possible, so that creatures will come in search of food and shelter.

Here are 10 simple but effective ways to start:

  1. Plant a wide range of native flowers.
    These will be used for feeding by insects, while shrubs and bushes make sites for birds and mammals to nest or roost. Put up some bird boxes if you like.
     
  2. Put a log and rock pile in the corner of your garden.
    This will attract earthworms, slugs and grubs, and hedgehogs will follow and may stay. Log piles will also attract wood-boring beetles and fungi, which provide food for birds in winter in the form of fungus gnats.
     
  3. Set down a thick plank of wood, a paving stone or some corrugated iron (partly painted matt black).
    This will attract slow worms and lizards.
     
  4. Welcome lacewings and ladybirds,
    since these will feed off aphids.
     
  5. Plant fruit trees.
    These are usually home to a wide range of wildlife.
     
  6. Create a small wetland area.
    This will attract frogs, toads and newts, while the marshy edge will attract damselflies and hawkers which feed on flying insects.
     
  7. Put in a Pollinating Bee Log.
    This affordable device makes a good home for the mason bee, which pollinates flowers and is safe for children.
     
  8. Put up a bat box.
    Bats love insects and spiders, so will happily visit your garden, and they’re fascinating to observe.
     
  9. Use compost.
    As well as providing nutrients for the garden, this is makes a great habitat for invertebrates, and is loved by hedgehogs.
     
  10. Let your grass grow.
    If you leave some grass to flower and then seed before you cut it, birds will be attracted. Put in a bird bath and some feeders and they’ll hang around!

David Collett - www.closer-to-nature.com

image