Are you interested in nature and wildlife? If you are, there are a number of ways you can help to encourage animals, insects, birds and plants to enjoy your garden. Follow these tips to a wildlife haven.  

Why?

The natural habitats of wild plants and animals are in decline as woodlands, meadows and ponds have been destroyed to make way for houses, roads and other buildings.  As natural habitats have become smaller many wild animals and plants are now living closer to our cities and towns and sharing our spaces with us. By making our gardens wildlife friendly we can ensure that animals have the things that they need to be happy in their new environment.

Having wildlife in the garden is also interesting for us too because it gives us the opportunity to study nature right on our doorstep.

Making our gardens wildlife-friendly is also good as you are helping to protect Scotland's biodiversity. You can find out more about biodiversity on our What's Biodiversity? page, or take a look at the Biodiversity begins with a B video from Scottish Natural Heritage at the bottom of the page.

What’s wildlife friendly?

The best way to make your garden wildlife friendly is to make sure that animals and plants have the type of things they would look for in their natural habitat. All animals need places where they can shelter, rest, find food and water and raise their young and so an ideal wildlife garden would include areas where animals can do all these things.

Having a wildlife friendly garden doesn’t mean it has to look all wild and scruffy, but an informal garden with a variety of plants, trees, shrubs and a little area of dead leaves, and logs will be really inviting for animals, insects and birds.

How to create your wildlife haven

• Plant flowers – these look pretty and also provide nectar and pollen for insects and seeds for birds. Choosing plants that flower at different times of the year will mean that there is a constant supply of food.  
• A tree (any size will do) and a few bushes are great in a garden and can provide animals with somewhere to shelter. 
• If you mow your lawn try and keep an area of long grass where animals can hide and find food. Sow wild flower seeds and turn your long grass into a mini wild flower meadow.
• An untidy bit of the garden which is undisturbed can be a perfect hideout for all sorts of wildlife.
• Make a pond. A simple dish of water will be ideal for hedgehogs and birds but more water could provide a home for frogs, newts and other wildlife.
• When the leaves fall, don’t clean them all up! A small area of leaves can be a perfect little habitat for minibeasties, a hide out for a hedgehog and delicious food for worms!
• If you don’t want to hurt wildlife avoid using weed killers and pesticides in your garden. There are other organic methods which won't cause harm and are probably healthier for humans too.
• Grow your own sunflowers and create your own homemade bird food! Hanging up fat balls and seed for birds will make sure they don't go hungry in winter.

You can find out more about gardening to improve biodiversity on the Scottish Natural Heritage website.