Getting your garden ready for wildlife in the spring
Getting your garden ready for wildlife in the spring is a wonderful way to support local ecosystems and create a thriving, biodiverse space. Here are some steps to help make your garden more welcoming for birds, insects, and other creatures as the season warms up:
1. Clean and Prepare Habitats
Birdhouses and Nesting Boxes: Clean out any old birdhouses or nesting boxes to make them ready for new residents. Check for any damage and repair or replace where necessary.
Insect Hotels: If you have an insect hotel, clean it up by removing any old debris and checking for pests or mold. You can also build one from twigs, bamboo, pine cones, and straw to attract solitary bees, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects.
2. Provide Fresh Water Sources
Ponds and Water Features: If you don’t already have a pond or water feature, consider adding one. Even a small birdbath or shallow dish of water will attract a variety of wildlife. Be sure to change the water frequently and clean the bath to prevent algae build-up.
Rain Barrels: Installing a rain barrel can help conserve water while also providing a source for watering wildlife-friendly plants.
3. Create Diverse Plantings
Native Plants: Choose native plants for your garden as they support a wide range of local wildlife, from pollinators like bees and butterflies to birds and small mammals. Native plants tend to be more resilient to pests and disease and require less maintenance.
Wildflower Patches: Planting a patch of wildflowers can attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. Early spring blooms like crocuses, snowdrops, and primroses provide early-season nectar.
Fruit-bearing Plants: Fruit trees, shrubs, and vines like blackberries, raspberries, elderberries, or serviceberries are great sources of food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife.
4. Leave Some Areas Untouched
Tidy but not Too Tidy: Wildlife needs some messy spaces to thrive. Leave dead leaves, fallen branches, and long grasses in some areas of your garden. These will provide shelter and food for insects and small animals.
Compost Pile: A compost pile or heap of leaves and garden waste can attract earthworms, beetles, and other beneficial creatures.
5. Create Shelter and Hiding Places
Hedges and Shrubs: Plant a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs or hedgerows. These will provide year-round shelter and nesting spots for birds and small mammals.
Log Piles and Rocks: Piles of logs or rocks can provide shelter for insects, amphibians, and small mammals like hedgehogs. As these break down, they also enrich the soil.
Green Cover: Encourage the growth of climbing plants like ivy, honeysuckle, or clematis that can provide both shelter and food for birds and insects.
6. Incorporate Pollinator-Friendly Features
Pollinator Plants: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators need a variety of plants throughout the season. Think about planting species that bloom at different times to ensure there's always something in flower.
Avoid Pesticides: Pesticides can harm beneficial insects, so try to use organic alternatives or practice natural pest control methods. Insect-friendly plants like lavender, marigolds, and sunflowers will help attract beneficial predators like ladybugs.
7. Provide Food for Wildlife
Bird Feeders: As spring arrives and birds begin to return or start nesting, make sure you provide bird feeders stocked with seeds, suet, or peanut butter to help them stay nourished.
Wildlife-friendly Lawn: Consider reducing or eliminating your lawn area. Lawns offer little in the way of food or shelter. Planting a mix of flowering ground covers or leaving some areas to grow wild can support many different species.
8. Check for Pests & Health
Fungus and Mold: Check for signs of fungal growth, mildew, or mold that can be harmful to plants and insects. These can sometimes appear in damp areas during the spring and should be addressed early.
Weed Control: Weeds can be beneficial to wildlife, but some aggressive varieties may crowd out native plants. Manage weeds carefully, especially if they’re invasive.
9. Be Mindful of Pets
If you have pets, consider how their presence might affect wildlife. Keep pets, especially cats, indoors or in enclosed outdoor spaces during nesting season to prevent disturbance.
10. Educate Yourself and Keep an Eye on Changes
Stay informed about local wildlife and the best practices for supporting them. The more you learn, the more you can do to create a wildlife-friendly garden that supports biodiversity.
