Some would say that the garden is the most important part of the home, as it’s your own little slice of nature on your doorstep. The problem that many people have, however, is that they don’t know how to make their space as attractive as possible for wildlife.
A garden without biodiversity is like a wedding cake without icing – it just doesn’t look right. If you want to make your outdoor space friendlier to the birds and the bees, it only takes a few key adjustments.
Written by Charlotte Matthews.
Why is it Important to Make a Wildlife-Friendly Garden?
There are countless reasons why you should put some effort into making a wildlife-friendly garden at your home. The main factor is that it supports biodiversity and provides creatures with a place to call their home. After all, a lot of suburban housing projects have encroached on animals’ natural habitats, so it’s important to ensure that we’re taking care of them.
Another major reason why a lot of people invest greatly in their gardens is because it can make the home more attractive to buyers. A thriving outdoor ecosystem may raise the value slightly, and lead to faster sales when the time comes to pass the keys to someone new. It may even increase the chances of selling to cash home buyers, who bypass the traditional estate agents and snaffle up houses quickly. This means that when you eventually sell, it will be a less tiresome process.
Choosing the Right Plants is Key
If you’re serious about making your garden a honeypot for creatures, you need to know which plants attract them effectively. This varies depending on where you live, though, so it’s crucial to do some research into the native plants of your area.
Some of the best flora to plant in the UK include oxeye daisy and cornflour, which attract butterflies and bees. Some other great options include red campion and foxglove. Shrubs like hawthorn and elderberry are ideal for alluring birds and small animals, while trees such as the silver birch and the oak can be excellent nesting sites for all sorts of winged creatures. The best advice is to go for a few diverse options and observe what wildlife they appeal to.
Create Shelters and Provide Food Sources
Another thing that you can do is turn your garden into an animal hotel, with various shelters and nesting sites for them to inhabit. This doesn’t require much building expertise at all. In fact, you can simply gather up piles of dead wood and leave them as a home for insects and amphibians. Of course, if you’re more ambitious, you could also construct some bird boxes and bat houses.
Don’t forget to leave some food sources around for the animals to eat too. Install bird feeders with a range of seeds and nectar, and leave some baths around for them to drink from.
It doesn’t take much effort to turn your garden into a hotspot for all types of wildlife. It’s worth doing as well, as it could end up making your home a more attractive prospect for potential buyers.