Wildlife garden

[twinkletoedelephant]

Just moved into our first house from a flat.

Dd (10) has claimed half of the front garden to turn into a 'wildlife' area.

No idea what to plant will have to strip back and dig over as there is loads of rubbish and tiny oak trees trying to grow.

Bit late for this year?? But is there is any bulbs we should be planting now for next year. We have plenty of bug houses and a log pile type thing to go out as well - grandad bought a hedgehog house but not sure if that would disappear from front garden....

Plants with flowers for butterflies and bees, look on the RHS site for recommendations, as there are lots. Plants with hollow stems, once they die back are homes for overwintering bugs. Any early spring bulbs provide nectar for early bees. Crocus seem popular.

Lavender is great for bees and easy to look after :)

Can't have lavender - it brings on migraine.

Dd is not impressed at all...

Will have a look on the the site. She has been given loads of 'wild flower' seeds but I am guessing they will be for next year?

For winter get in bird feeders, a ladybird house, rake fallen leaves into a pile as frogs and hedgehogs might hibernate there. Perhaps make a small container pond?
Insects are more attracted to yellow flowers than any other plants, so you could think about those sort of plants for next year.

I am doing similar at the moment. I was inspired by a self seeded rowan true which has sprung up and our resident toad(s). We already have a log pile and a hedgehog house and as the garden is a bit unkempt I have decided it will be a proper wildlife garden.

This weekend we sunk a builder's tub for a pond and filled it with rainwater - I had put out buckets to catch the rain on Friday. I've put some native pond plants in . ( I only made it yesterday and I can't stop going to check it and see if anything has happened in it) Google mini pond, or micro pond and you will find loads of websites showing you how to do it - it's so easy - I'm not green fingered and I have done it.

I'm going to plant wildflower seeds ( you can do it in autumn, they will flower next year) and have some wild rose bushes and a buddlia to put in.

A couple of great books to share with kids are Chris Packham's Back Garden Nature Reserve and Wildside of Town. I'm also enjoying The Wildlife Garden by John Lewis -Stempel ( no pictures).

It's great fun - I think I'm enjoying it more the the kids. :-)

Thank you for all your suggestions :-)

Dd loves the idea of a micro pond :-)