Going Wild

[Wild-Woman]

I fully intend to let larger sections of my garden become a butterfly haven next year.I already leave the nettles and other wild flowers that spring up in various areas but Im going to let things go further to see how many species can be looked after by one suburban average sized, back garden. Mr Moany next door will probably complain-he does his lawn with nail clippers I'm sure!
Found this site which will be a good guide.

| Floralocale |

[mrs fish]

It is good just to turn the soil over and see what comes up, it will be native plants to your area and soil so will attract the local birds and insects.
Don't worry about upsetting the nettles they will come back, if you have any favourite perennials dig around them

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I fully intend to let larger sections of my garden become a butterfly haven next year.I already leave the nettles and other wild flowers that spring up in various areas but Im going to let things go further to see how many species can be looked after by one suburban average sized, back garden. Mr Moany next door will probably complain-he does his lawn with nail clippers I'm sure!
Found this site which will be a good guide.

| Floralocale |

Thats what we've done too and our garden is teeming with life now. We aimed to have a little woodland feel to it and also left a good sized log pile at the far end when the rowan had to be cut down. You'd be surprised at how much difference it makes and rewards you with so much pleasure seeing all the new garden family members that appear.

Years ago when I was a kid and we spent most of the year in Africa, our garden over here got a little out of hand and the neighbors complained. My Dad just told them with a very serious face that he was studying weeds and came back in with a wicked little grin on his face. Now that I've inherited the house I'm studying weeds too - for real this time! lol.

We mow the lawn when we can't see the ground feeder from the kitchen window any more Joking aside with a little trimming back and tidying up it still looks really pretty.

[Tornado]

Hi WW,
we have been gardening for wildlife for around three years now, and are constantly amazed at the diffrent types of wildlife we attract. The butterflies have been here en mass this season with the last tortoiseshell disappearing only at the end of last week. The bees have also loved last years additions with a Himalayan Honeysuckle being one of their favourites. If you would like to know more just click the link to "our" website at the bottom of the post.

[Wild-Woman]

Wow Tornado-what a great site and so informative. Hope you don't mind but I've saved your site to my favourites! Love the garden shot-just what I'd like mine like one day.

[Tornado]

Thanks for your kind words WW, the site is really down to my better half, as I haven't a clue how to run one!! He set up the site to help and maybe insprire other "non-gardeners" into making space for nature. Although he is a really keen birdwatcher, all wildlife has played a part in motivating him to build the site, as more and more unusual things begin to appear once you start to take the time to create a space for it.

Hope your project gets as many rewards as we have had in the past few years.
Tornado