Wildlife gardening

[john4760]

I have a bit of spare ground in my garden,and was thinking of making a wildlife garden,has anyone here got any ideas how i can go about this.it measures approx:3mx4mit has one shrub border at moment which contains contorted willow ,dogwood,hebes,fuschia,buddleias.

[Varan Komodosky]

One word: Pond. Stick some native water plants in and allow it to slowly mature. Let any old thing grow up round it, but make sure you provide some cover for creepy crawlies, a few logs, pile of grass and so on. Don't put fish in the pond. Avoid lining the outer area of the pond with stone and certainly those dashed awful pebbles.

I started a little pond in a similarly sized area in my jardin in Avril this year and it teems with life now. There is now 4 resident toads (well, I've seen 4 at any one time, could be more) and all sorts of insect life. Damson flies are a joy. Where all the life comes from and how it finds such a tiny haven is beyond my ken.

Ooh, afterthought - if you go 'pond' try and make sure it's sited in a place that receives full sunlight.

Good luck!

[clover green]

Hi John, welcome to WAB. By the way, do try posting your question in the "Wildlife Gardening" section, as you may get more response from fellow gardeners there? Good luck!

[john4760]

Oops sorrywill remember in the future

[clover green]

Originally Posted by john4760

Oops sorrywill remember in the future

No worries at all. You probably get more gardeners in that section and hence more replies, but of course it doesn't matter that much where you post it! I hope you get some helpful suggestions for your wildlife garden. Good luck

[emmz]

Hi John,

I joined only yesterday, and it is a fabulous, freindly, forum. Enjoy.
emmz

[Jez]

Hi John i second a pond. iImade one a few years ago and you wont believe how fast wildlife will find it. After filling mine with water and putting the oxygenators in, it was seconds before i had a water beetle diving around! I used flat stones to border the pond but wished i hadn't. It wasn't all that bad but you have a more natural feel without and you can plant in Native marginals like purple loose strife etc which will make it look fantastic. Try wildflower suppliers on the net to find native plants for ponds and marginals. All the best

[medieval knievel]

three things: ponds, trees and compost heaps.
they're the best way to attract wildlife to your garden.

[john4760]

Originally Posted by Jez

Hi John i second a pond. iImade one a few years ago and you wont believe how fast wildlife will find it. After filling mine with water and putting the oxygenators in, it was seconds before i had a water beetle diving around! I used flat stones to border the pond but wished i hadn't. It wasn't all that bad but you have a more natural feel without and you can plant in Native marginals like purple loose strife etc which will make it look fantastic. Try wildflower suppliers on the net to find native plants for ponds and marginals. All the best

Thanks for the advice.
Regards
John

[john4760]

Originally Posted by medieval knievel

three things: ponds, trees and compost heaps.
they're the best way to attract wildlife to your garden.

Well ive got compost bins,and trees so i guess im 2 thirds there

Regards
John