What To Include In Your Garden To Attract Wildlife

The main purpose of having a garden is to have a private outdoor space to soak up the sunshine while providing enough space for young children and pets to roam around and have a good time. Another reason why people have a garden is to provide a habitat for local wildlife.

Even the smallest of changes to your garden can make a huge difference. We recommend making the following changes, so you can encourage all kinds of friendly wildlife and we will also share how you can transform your garden space into a wildlife haven.

1) Wildlife Friendly Flowers

In our previous article, we discussed 2023 garden trends including making friends with pollinators such as bees, honey bees, beetles, butterflies, and moths. A great way to attract them is to grow wildlife friendly plants which are high in pollen and nectar. For instance, foxglove, hawthorn, primrose, and lavender. These flowers produce high amounts of pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators as a food source. Pollinators also transport pollen grains from flower to flower, this is called pollination. Without pollination, our seed and fruit production would decrease dramatically.

2) Trees and Shrubs 

Aside from pollinators, birds are also regular visitors to any garden. Growing trees, shrubs, and hedges will provide excellent shelter for pollinators and birds from the weather and predators. Birds tend to build their nests in trees any time from March to July each year. Berries from hawthorn and honeysuckle plants as well as blackberries and blackcurrant bushes are a great source of food for small birds such as thrushes, blackbirds, and starlings. 

3) Bird Feeders

In winter, the growth of berries decreases and food can be more difficult for birds to find, especially during snowy periods. Luckily, there are plenty of hanging bird feeders, seeds, and feed mixes available. You can make a DIY bird feeder by cleaning out a large plastic bottle. Make a small hole through the bottle then add a long flat piece of wood to act as a perch for birds to sit on while they eat. Fill up the bottle with suitable feed and hang it up high on a tree branch.

It’s important to use feed specially for birds as tough or large pieces of food can be a choking hazard for birds. Not only will hungry birds be provided with enough food, overtime they will return to your garden daily. There’s something relaxing about the singing and chirping of birds from your garden!

4) Compost

A wildlife haven isn’t complete without compost. This is a mixture of decayed organic materials such as vegetable scraps, garden cuttings, and wilting plants, to name a few. The purpose of composting is to use it when it’s ready as fertiliser to strengthen the soil’s structure. Good fertilised soil means good plant growth and healthy living conditions for insects which in turn attracts birds and hedgehogs. Compost piles also make great nesting grounds for hedgehogs. 

So before you throw any fruit, vegetables, or garden waste into your household bin, consider disposing it in a compost bin or pile in your garden. This will save up room in your household bin and encourage the habitat of new garden visitors!

5) Water Features

Adding water features does not only make your garden look more attractive but also looks attractive to water loving wildlife. Birdbaths are an excellent source of fresh clean water for small birds to bathe in or drink from. Hedgehogs and amphibians such as frogs, toads, and newts are other great examples of what you might find living in your manmade or natural pond! Make sure the pond has a partially shaded area from the sun and a shallow sloped area for these small animals to easily escape if they need to.

Transform Your Garden Into A Wildlife Haven

If you include all these changes into your garden, or even just a few of them, you can guarantee a friendly visit from local wildlife. Transform your garden into a wildlife haven with professional gardening services from Abingdon’s Complete Gardening Service. We truly enjoy the presence of wildlife in gardens just as much as you do. 

That’s part of why we offer homeowners across Oxfordshire a range of landscaping design and garden maintenance services including grass cutting, hedge trimming, pruning, weeding, and much more to keep your garden in top condition all year round. If you’re interested in our services, feel free to get in touch or call 01235 533193 for a quotation.