How to create a wildlife friendly garden in 5 easy steps

During the summer months, thousands of critters across Britain will wake from their winter sleep or visit from the shores of other countries. As the weather warms, all kinds of animals from bumblebees to birds will be exploring the countryside towns and suburbs of the UK so it’s important that we help them along the way. If you’re wondering how to attract wildlife to your garden, there are a number of easy things you can do to turn your garden into a communal paradise for critters of all sizes. Not only will you be helping to improve the local environment but you’ll add a whole new element of life to your garden with these simple tips.

It’s feeding time

Bird feeders and boxes are some of the simplest and most common ways that people help local wildlife. Thousands of gardens across the UK have bird feeders in them which allow local birds to find food and replenish their energy on hot summer days. Whether you choose to buy a purpose-built feeder or get creative with the kids and make your own, there are plenty of options available. Regularly putting out bird food is also a great way to teach young ones the importance of helping animals.

Let the flowers bloom

For green-fingered gardeners, this tip is a win-win. By cultivating plenty of colourful flowers, not only will you turn your garden into a beautiful summer paradise, you will also create plenty of pollination stations for British bees, whose numbers have been rapidly declining in recent years. Whether you have perfectly-pruned flower beds or rustic wildflowers, the bees will appreciate it. To help, we’re also giving away free Bee-Friendly Guides with every purchase from our gorgeous new Bee Happy homeware range.

Create a bug B&B

Any avid gardeners may already be familiar with insect hotels but for those who haven’t heard of them before, they are a great way of helping local wildlife prosper with very little effort. An insect hotel can be made using things like old wood, rocks, leaves and twigs to create a bustling hideaway for all of the crawling critters than need shade from the harsh sun. Get creative with the kids by designing a hotel that bugs will love. You can even use a flower trug for some of the decoration.

Add a water feature

If you’ve always wanted to add something extra to your garden, there has never been a better time. A water feature can help add more texture and colour to your backyard paradise while providing a vibrant place for animals to gather all year round. Whether you go for a gorgeous new bird bath or you have grand plans to create a huge water feature, you can still provide the local wildlife with a place to drink, rest and live.

Easy on the chemicals

Not many people are aware that things such as pesticides and weed-killing liquids can cause serious problems for local wildlife. The harsh chemicals found in many gardening solutions can be toxic for small animals including insects and birds. Luckily, there are a growing number of animal-friendly alternatives that won’t ward off the local wildlife. Try to avoid buying harsh pesticides or herbicides and look for more natural alternatives.