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Woodchips and landscaping bark mulch can provide a decorative and weed free surface within a any garden.
It can be used to mulch flower borders as well as surfacing paths and play areas. However, wood chippings and bark mulch are not to everyone’s liking and do have some considerable drawbacks. The chippings themselves can degrade over time leading to costly and laborious re-spreading. Bark chippings can also be a bi product from recent tree removal or tree stump-grinding. Perhaps you have recently moved into a new property with a garden full of old bark. In such cases you may wish to get rid of the bark from your garden as soon as you can. Here I will explain the best way to get rid of garden wood chips as well as some alternative uses for them. Why do people put woodchips in their garden?
People spread wood chips and bark mulch to suppress weeds and help soil retain moisture during summer. Woodchip provides organic mulch which can also provide frost protection for tender outdoor perennials. A thick layer of wood chip on top of a weed suppressant fabric can also provide low maintenance borders, play areas and even seating areas. 
Do weeds grow through wood chips?
If you have installed a robust weed resistant membrane and a reasonable depth of wood chips weeds should not become established. Only strong and woody perennial weeds such as brambles can grow up through weed membrane and bark. If perennial weeds are dug out before bark much is laid this should not be a problem. It is more common for herbaceous weeds to germinate within the moist gaps between bark particles. 
How to stop weeds growing in and through bark mulch and wood chip?
Over time bark mulch and wood chip will naturally decay. This provides woody compost for weeds to start establishing during wet periods. The best way to avoid this is spread a 30-50mm layer of coarse or sharp sand under a robust, weed membrane. Then supply and spread a minimum depth of 50mm of bark chip to the surface. 
The sand will provide a free drainage layer helping to keep the bark dry.
This will limit the ability for fungus and microorganisms to break down the mulch. The membrane will also add an extra barrier to soil decomposers and weed roots. Do cats poop in bark chip?
Contrary to common belief cats prefer not to pop in bark mulch. Cats like to poop and spray in soft and loose material such as soil, sand and compost. However if these are not readily available cats may use degraded woodchip. How to get rid of woodchips from your garden?
The best way to get rid of bark and wood chips from your garden is with a landscaping rake, long handled shovel and wheelbarrow. The rake can be used to draw up the mulch into piles while the shovel can scoop up the loose material and load the barrow. If woodchip is spread upon a membrane, this can be pulled up to form large piles of bark. Your barrow can then wheel them to another location or inside a skip. Before you order a skip try to figure out how many cubic metres of bark you have. 
This can be done by multiplying the average depth by the surface area.
For example, if you had a bark area of 10m x 10m that would equal 100 square metres. If the average depth of bark is 40mm the calculation would be. 100 x 0.040 = 4 cubic metres. This means you would have about 4 cubic metres of bark mulch to get rid of. That’s about 45 wheelbarrows, 8 jumbo bags and enough to fill a 6-yard skip. When completing the calculation above you must remember to get the decimal point in the correct place! What can I use pine bark or wood chips for?
If you want to get rid of wood chip but don’t want to get a skip here are some ideas. Below I have listed some alternative uses for unwanted wood chip. Suppressing weeds
Probably the most obvious use for unwanted bark is to suppress weeds. If you are removing an extensive area of wood chippings these can be used to mulch flower borders.
These will eventually rot down over time and help improve your soil. 
Composting
An effective way to get rid of wood chips is to compost them. This can be done by simply pilling them up in a heap until they break down.
To fasten up the process of composting mix them up with nitrogen rich organic waste. This includes green materials such as grass clippings and kitchen, vegetable waste. This will create a warm and steaming compost heap which will break down into compost quickly. Growing mushrooms
Believe it or not wood chips can be used to grow mushrooms. The best mushrooms to grow outside on wood chips are wine cap mushrooms. Ideally your wood chips would be made up of deciduous trees such as oak and birch. However there are many types of edible mushroom crops which can be grown on wood chip. You will need to buy mushroom spawn from a specialist supplier such as Merit Mushrooms. 
Smoking food
If the woodchips are in good condition, they can be dried and used in smokers. However most of the time landscape wood chip will be too degraded to cook food.
Improving soil
Wood chip is a naturally occurring, organic, material. This means it will decompose over time to form good quality compost and topsoil.
By mixing old landscaping bark into your topsoil, it will improve both drainage and fertility. Over time breaking down wood chip will feed soil ecosystems and lead to healthier and more productive soil. 
Thank you for reading our article on how to get rid of wood chips from your garden. Below we have linked to some of our other articles you may find useful. Thank you!
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Raised beds are a fantastic way to provide spacious growing areas for plants and vegetables.
Building robust, garden planters also allow you to choose a more generous and better-quality soil. This is particularly advantageous if your site has shallow, boggy or poor topsoil. But what is the best soil for raised beds? The truth is there is no “one size fits all” soil type for filling raised beds. The best soil for filling raised beds will be moisture retentive but well drained and rich in Phosphorous, Potassium and nitrogen. However the optimum soil mix will depend upon, the height of your planters, existing soil type, site hydrology and local climate. Before you get worried it’s really very simple! In this article I will explain the best soil for raised garden beds in every scenario. Drainage
Most plants and vegetables like moist but well drained topsoil. Therefore, the best soil for raised beds will drain well. However, soil which is too free draining can dry out very quickly in summer and leach nutrients quickly. Therefore, the best raised bed soil will have both free draining and moisture retentive particles. 
This is why typically the best soil type is a clay loam with some sharp sand particles.
If your locality naturally has very boggy soil prone to flooding raised bed soil needs to be more free draining. This will mean more sharp sand, grit, organic matter and less clay. In such circumstances raised beds should also be built higher. What is the best height for a raised bed?
There are many reasons why you may want your raised beds at a particular height. Firstly, raised beds are generally integrated into a garden design and may have a more spatial or aesthetic function. For example, raised beds of around 600 high can also provide good seating especially for small spaces. However, in regard to soil, the height of your bed should reflect your existing soil type and site conditions. 
If you have naturally free draining soil and a climate with little rainfall beds will dry out easily.
Therefore, free draining topsoil with more clay articles should be added to raised beds at a lower height. At the other extreme areas with boggy soils and higher seasonal rainfall can be built much higher. Of course, what you grow in your beds will also have an impact. If you have an alpine or succulent raised bed, you will want the topsoil as free draining as possible. If you want to grow record breaking carrots, tall beds filled with a sandy loam will be better. Is clay soil good for raised beds?
Clay soil is good for raised beds if it is used in the lower half of a tall, raised bed. Here it can help to retain moisture and nutrients for better topsoil above. If clay soil is well mixed with sand and organic matter it can become perfect for raised beds. It is well known among many horticulturalists that a clay loam is the best soil for raised beds. 
What is the best soil for raised beds?
The best soil for raised beds is a free draining but moisture retentive, fertile, clay loam.
It should be rich in the three essential nutrients for plants: potassium, phosphate and nitrogen with a crumbly texture. However the fertility level, PH and free draining qualities will depend upon what you wish to grow and your specific region. 
What to add to raised garden bed soil?
If the soil in your raised bed regularly dries out, you should mix in some clay, topsoil, loam and organic matter. This will help to absorb and retain more moisture. If your soil is often boggy and stagnant you should mix in plenty of sand, grit and organic matter. This will create more air spaces for water to pass through. In such a scenario you may also want to create more drainage holes and raise the beds height. Can you fill a raised bed with just compost?
It is ok to fill a raised bed with just compost especially on top of boggy, clay, subsoil. However a tall, raised bed just filled with compost will probably dry out too much during the summer. If you are going to fill a raised bed with compost fill half of it first with a clay-based topsoil. 
What is the best time of year to fill raised garden beds?You can fill raised beds at any time of year but filling during the spring and summer may hinder your growing season. However filling beds during the winter can be messy, especially if you have to track wheelbarrows across lawn. During wet winters dirty wheelbarrow wheels can grind dirt deeply into patios and paths. This will normally require pressure washing to clean. 
I find the best time to fill raised beds is late summer and early autumn while the weather is still warm.
This results in less chance of mess and boggy conditions while not interrupting your growing season. It is also advantageous to fill soil before frost and allow soil to settle before the next growing season. Do you have to put plastic inside raised garden beds?
Many decide the wish to line the inside of a timber raised bed with plastic. This is because a theory has developed that this will prevent wet soil degrading the timber. Such a strategy is commonly implemented in beds with thinner walls. However, lining beds with plastic is not a good solution. Plastic can limit a beds ability to drain leading to stagnant and boggy soil. 
Furthermore, water will normally sit within the vacuum of where the plastic meets the timber.
This can lead to excessive moisture around fixtures causing corrosion. The best solution for building timber raised beds is using robust materials. Thick timber sleepers are the best as they take many years to degrade. The edges and timber joins also allow excess moisture to seep out greatly improving drainage. Should you add drainage holes to your raised beds?
If your raised bed is in contact with the surrounding soil and is naturally free draining, you do not have to have drainage holes. Timber sleepers naturally drain through the gaps and joins of the timber work. However it is always advised to add drainage holes especially if you are building with masonry materials like brick and concrete.
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Frogs are one of the most successful species on the planet exploiting every continent except Antarctica. Their evolutionary and winning design has remained unchanged for many millions of years.
Even with extensive deforestation and urban development frogs still eke out a living in our towns and gardens. Frogs, although beneficial to gardeners can still become victims to garden machinery and chemicals. With modern gardens potentially so dangerous to frogs it is a wonder they exist at all! 
However, a surge in enthusiasm for wildlife gardening is making frog friendly gardening and landscaping a growing trend.
After wildlife ponds, frog homes or 'frog caves' are a great way to create frog habitat. Frog homes create great places for frogs to rest, hibernate and hide from predators. In this article I will explain how to build a frog home for your wildlife garden project. I will include pictures of frog homes I have personally built when creating frog habitats in wildlife gardens. Why build a frog home?
Frogs are one of the most beneficial creatures for garden lovers and consume most garden pests. These amphibians come out at night devouring slugs and plant eating insects and invertebrates. Frogs are also an indicator species of a clean and healthy environment. As frogs have skin which absorbs water, they are extremely sensitive to pollution and toxins. Therefore, making viable frog habitats for them to thrive is holistically very favourable. Frogs need safe places to rest during the day, hibernate and hide from predators. A frog home or 'frog cave' will provide the perfect, safe, place for them to hide away from harm. 
Where should you put a frog home?
As frogs regularly visit ponds to feed and breed wetland habitats are preferred places to locate frog homes. However, it is important to recognise that most of a frog’s time is spent out of water. Therefore, the best places for frog homes are within dense vegetation and damp places near local ponds. The best scenario for frogs is to have a series of safe caves and dens around their foraging range. This will enable them to cover larger areas to feed at night and rest during the day. For larger wildlife garden designs amphibian homes can be situated along green corridors. 
What is the best habitat for a frog?
Most frogs species which live within Europe and North America are extremely adaptable and widespread. However, the best frog habitats are low lying naturalistic areas with dense vegetation. These will be dispersed with wetland habitats, meadows, scrubland and woodland. Frogs need boggy wetlands to breed and feed as well as dense and diverse plant communities to hide. Generally suburban gardens are bountiful places for frogs as they provide a good mixture of habitat types. 
Can I create a frog home in a pond?
Yes, you can create a frog home submerged inside a pond or at the water’s edge. However, you may not be able to guarantee a frog will spend much time inside it. Frogs generally rest and hibernate outside of water however they will also hide submerged under the surface. Frogs love to seek out hidden nooks and crannies underwater so they can hide from predators and ambush prey. An easy way to create a frog home in a pond is with bricks and paving slabs. In the image below we built such a pond, frog home, on one of our wildlife garden projects. 
How to build a perfect frog home in your garden
An effective frog home should be robust, naturalistic and damp. You will want to build your frog home in a way which blends in with its natural surroundings. Furthermore, your frog cave should be impenetrable to predators such as foxes and cats. The best frog homes will also be well insulated from frost and sub-zero temperatures during the winter. This will allow them to also become perfect places for frogs to hibernate! 
An effective way to build such a home is with strong masonry materials mortared together and covered with soil. Materials such as old bricks and slabs can form perfect frog caves inside landform near ponds. These will provide the perfect warm, humid and safe places for frogs to live.
A good strategy is to save excavated soil from digging a wildlife pond to create a feature mound. This can then be excavated into to build a sealed cavity with an access tube. Soil can then be piled back around the home to provide a well-insulated and safe frog home.
It is always optimum to build a frog house close to a wildlife pond. In the example below we built a raised pond with a meadow access slope to the pond. We constructed a frog home underneath the mound with a clay pipe access tube to the meadow below.
5 frog homes you can buy online1. Wildlife world ceramic frog and toad house
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Laying wildflower meadow turf in your garden is a great way to encourage local wildlife.
Whether you are planning a wildlife garden or just trying to add more colour to your lawn, wildflower turf is an instant way of creating a beautiful meadow. Generally seeding meadows can be tricky as naturally occurring weeds can outcompete establishing wildflowers.
This makes wildflower turf such an easy and exciting way to bring nature into your yard. However, it is important to plan and make the suitable preparations before laying your turf.
Wildflower turf is generally 5 times more expensive than traditional lawn turf. This means you want to give it every chance of being successful once it is laid.
In this article I will explain how to lay wildflower turf step by step with pictures. I will also explain in some pre-meadow planning and considerations before your begin.
Whether you are planning a wildlife garden or just trying to add more colour to your lawn, wildflower turf is an instant way of creating a beautiful meadow. Generally seeding meadows can be tricky as naturally occurring weeds can outcompete establishing wildflowers.
This makes wildflower turf such an easy and exciting way to bring nature into your yard. However, it is important to plan and make the suitable preparations before laying your turf.
Wildflower turf is generally 5 times more expensive than traditional lawn turf. This means you want to give it every chance of being successful once it is laid.
In this article I will explain how to lay wildflower turf step by step with pictures. I will also explain in some pre-meadow planning and considerations before your begin.
Choosing the correct wildflower mix for you
There is an ever-increasing variety of wildflower turf on the market catering for a wide range of outcomes.
If you want to encourage pollinators, you can choose meadow turf with the wildflowers they love! There are meadow turfs such as the ‘Meadowmat birds and bees turf sold by Turfonline’.
You may have a garden with a considerable amount of shade meaning you may consider awoodland meadow wildflower turf.
If you are going for maximum colour you may wish to go for a floral focus wildflower turf.
For more information on the different types of wildflower meadows visit our article here.
Meadow mats contain no grasses at all being solely comprised of dozens of wildflower species. These are visually effective for feature beds and borders or around outdoor focal points.
There are even turf varieties catering for varying styles such as cottage gardens and heritage landscapes.
Before choosing meadow turf you may want to consider what you want to achieve with your meadow first!
There are even turf varieties catering for varying styles such as cottage gardens and heritage landscapes.
Before choosing meadow turf you may want to consider what you want to achieve with your meadow first!
Understanding your site
If you are planning on laying meadow turf you will wish it every chance of establishing with success. Therefore, you will have to understand your site and the characteristics of the proposed meadow site.
Most meadows require a reasonable amount of daytime sunshine or at least 6 hours. If your site is particularly shaded, you may wish to cut out surrounding vegetation.
Alternatively, you could lay a woodland glade meadow turf. Try to get a feel for what your soil conditions are like throughout the year. Is your meadow site boggy during the winter? If so you may want to improve the areas drainage or lay a wetland meadow mix.
If you’re proposed meadow has hilly or unstable ground, you may want wildflowers with robust root systems. There are wildflower meadow turfs which can mitigate both boggy and undulating soil conditions.
A good example of this is Turf online’s ‘SUDS and slopes wildflower meadow turf.
Linking wildlife habitats with wildflower turf
If your new meadow is a part of a wildlife garden you may want to maximise its habitat potential. Wildflower meadows create plenty of food and shelter for many species of wildlife.
Therefore, meadows are an effective way to link up other valuable habitats around the garden.
Elements such as wildlife ponds, compost heaps, hibernaculas, dry stone walls, log piles and flower borders can all be linked by strips of meadow turf.
Most wildflower turf comes in one metre rolls which can be rolled out in a linear pathway connecting other features. They can run along the edges of existing lawns and flower beds.
How do you prepare the ground for a wildflower meadow?
You will need alleviate any compaction within the ground and work the soil to a loose and granulated texture.
You will also need to dig out any thick roots of perennial weeds and grasses. Wildflower meadows require nutrient poor soil so if you have dark and fertile soil you will need to reduce the fertility.
This can be done by mixing in plenty of sharp sand to the top 100 mm of the soils surface.
Such will also improve the topsoil’s workability and drainage capacity, perfect for laying wildflower turf! The soil can then be raked to a level and even surface ready for rolling out your new meadow turf.
Such will also improve the topsoil’s workability and drainage capacity, perfect for laying wildflower turf! The soil can then be raked to a level and even surface ready for rolling out your new meadow turf.
What do you need to lay wildflower turf?
The most challenging part of laying meadow turf is preparing the ground properly. You may already have sandy and free draining soil which will be easy to prepare.
However, most of the time, you will need to dig over the soil break up compacted clods. These will need to be worked to a crumbly and open texture to achieve a level surface.
However, most of the time, you will need to dig over the soil break up compacted clods. These will need to be worked to a crumbly and open texture to achieve a level surface.
The best tools for this work will be; Spades, Shovels, Forks, Mattocks, Grafting spades and mechanical tillers. Why not read our article on the best digging tools and most effective ways to use them.
For laying the turf itself you will need a; Wheelbarrow, Landscaping rake, and old carpenters saw for cutting.
For laying the turf itself you will need a; Wheelbarrow, Landscaping rake, and old carpenters saw for cutting.
- Spade
- Shovel
- Mattock
- Grafting spade
- Landscaping rake
- Wheelbarrow
- Blunt carpenters saw
How to lay wildflower turf step by step.
Step1. Remove any visible roots of grasses and perennial weeds
Step2. Work your soil to a loose and workable texture.
Step3. If you have fertile soil work sand into the surface to lower nutrients
Step4. Rake your soil to a consistent and level surface with a landscaping rake.
Step5. Roll out your meadow turf butting it in tightly around the edges.
Step6. If you are laying to edges which are not square overlap them and cut neatly to shape.
Step7. Lay your turf with staggered joins like brickwork so it knits together well.
Step8. Don’t stretch individual turfs out too much try to lay it densely to avoid shrinkage.
Step9. Avoid very small cuts to edges these can easily dry out in hot weather before establishment.
Step10. When the meadow is laid give it a good drenching with a water sprinkler until it is saturated.
Step11. Using long and wide planks walk up and down the turf to board it in. This forces the turf to make good contact with the soil beneath.
Step 12. Keep the turf well-watered for the next three weeks during dry spells.
Wildflower turf maintenance to establishment
Once your wildflower turf has been laid, you will need to keep it moist for the first 3 weeks. This is especially so during the warmer, summer, months.
The best time of the year to lay a meadow is the autumn time. During this period of the year grasses and perennial wildflowers are slowly going into winter dormancy.
There is still enough warmth for roots to establish but with minimum stress from strong sunlight.
During the first year keep an eye out for the germination of perennial weeds and tree saplings. Pull these out before they become established.
Your meadow can be cut the following March to encourage robust root development. The meadow can be cut once or twice a year depending upon the wildflower mix or your personal, preference.
During the first year keep an eye out for the germination of perennial weeds and tree saplings. Pull these out before they become established.
Your meadow can be cut the following March to encourage robust root development. The meadow can be cut once or twice a year depending upon the wildflower mix or your personal, preference.
How long does wildflower turf take to grow?
Wildflower meadow turf will start to develop roots straight away. After about 4 weeks the roots should have penetrated firmly into the soil.
If you lay your meadow turf in early spring or summer it could reach knee height in its first season. This means your meadow could be about 600mm in about 4 months time.
If your meadow is laid in late summer or autumn it will grow up to 600mm by Late spring.
Below we have included an image of wildflower meadow turf we laid along a pond edge. The turf was laid to a raised wildlife pond with a slope access.
Wildflower meadow turf will start to develop roots straight away. After about 4 weeks the roots should have penetrated firmly into the soil.
If you lay your meadow turf in early spring or summer it could reach knee height in its first season. This means your meadow could be about 600mm in about 4 months time.
If your meadow is laid in late summer or autumn it will grow up to 600mm by Late spring.
Below we have included an image of wildflower meadow turf we laid along a pond edge. The turf was laid to a raised wildlife pond with a slope access.
How long does wildflower turf last?
From taking delivery of wildflower turf it is best laid the same day or within a minimum of 24 hours.
How long your turf remains in good condition rolled up however does depend upon the time of year. During colder months turf is dormant with cool temperatures preserving rolled up turf for longer.
However for best results lay within 24 hours.
From taking delivery of wildflower turf it is best laid the same day or within a minimum of 24 hours.
How long your turf remains in good condition rolled up however does depend upon the time of year. During colder months turf is dormant with cool temperatures preserving rolled up turf for longer.
However for best results lay within 24 hours.
How long do wildflower meadows last?
Wildflower meadows can last for centuries if they are regularly managed with seasonal cutting.
Newly laid meadow lawn already comes with perennial wildflowers and grasses which will grow back every year. As long as your soil conditions and site is beneficial to the species contained your meadow will last for many years.
However, meadows which are centuries old have undergone their very own historical evolution of natural succession. Wildflowers adapted for the surrounded environment have naturally pioneered and dominated those meadows.
Over time you may find the species tapestry within your new meadow adapts and changes over time.
Wildflower meadows can last for centuries if they are regularly managed with seasonal cutting.
Newly laid meadow lawn already comes with perennial wildflowers and grasses which will grow back every year. As long as your soil conditions and site is beneficial to the species contained your meadow will last for many years.
However, meadows which are centuries old have undergone their very own historical evolution of natural succession. Wildflowers adapted for the surrounded environment have naturally pioneered and dominated those meadows.
Over time you may find the species tapestry within your new meadow adapts and changes over time.
How do you look after wildflower turf?
Once wildflower turf is laid make sure it is watered well until its roots establish.
Once it is established and growing well weed out any rogue perennial weeds or tree saplings which appear.
Cut your meadow at least one a year to prevent the meadow turning into scrubland. Make sure all cuttings are removed from the surface to prevent nutrient build up.
To add annual flowers to the meadow such as field poppies, scarify the meadow in spring and scatter annual wildflower seeds.
Wildlife garden & Meadow Services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years' experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction.
If you are interested in our wildlife garden services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years' experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction.
If you are interested in our wildlife garden services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Wildflower meadows
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on how to lay wildflower turf. Below we have included some other articles on wildflower meadows and wildlife landscaping you may enjoy!
Thank you for reading our article on how to lay wildflower turf. Below we have included some other articles on wildflower meadows and wildlife landscaping you may enjoy!
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This article contains affiliate links
Beetles are one of the most successful and widespread group of insects on the planet. It has been stated that beetles actually represent over 25% of all animal life forms on earth!
They have colonised every part of the planet except the sea and Polar Regions. The UK alone has more than 4000 species of beetle living in various different niches and habitats.
Being such a diverse group of insects, their habits and behaviours can vary hugely. Some are predators while some are more specialised at eating plants.
This means not all beetle species are loved by gardeners. However, most ground beetles are indeed beneficial to the garden eating pests and dead wood.
If you want to encourage ground beetles into your garden, there are a few steps you can take. In this article we answer some common ground beetle questions as well as how to attract beetles to your garden.
They have colonised every part of the planet except the sea and Polar Regions. The UK alone has more than 4000 species of beetle living in various different niches and habitats.
Being such a diverse group of insects, their habits and behaviours can vary hugely. Some are predators while some are more specialised at eating plants.
This means not all beetle species are loved by gardeners. However, most ground beetles are indeed beneficial to the garden eating pests and dead wood.
If you want to encourage ground beetles into your garden, there are a few steps you can take. In this article we answer some common ground beetle questions as well as how to attract beetles to your garden.
What are ground beetles?
Ground beetles are generally large beetles which live in and around the soil surface. Their larger size and well armoured exoskeleton are suitable defence against ground dwelling advisories such as ants.
Many ground beetles are either predatory or categorised as decomposers. Decomposer ground beetles are known for loving dead wood habitats such as hollow trees and log piles.
In the UK the three most common garden ground beetles are the Black Clock Beetle, Devils Coach Horse Beetle and the Stag Beetle.
Types of common ground beetles
Black clock beetle
The Black clock beetle is probably the most common ground dwelling beetle. This predatory beetle forages in sheltered places hunting its favourite food slugs, snails and small insects.
This beetle can be found underneath leaf litter, stones or in general nooks and crannies around the garden.
The Black clock beetle is probably the most common ground dwelling beetle. This predatory beetle forages in sheltered places hunting its favourite food slugs, snails and small insects.
This beetle can be found underneath leaf litter, stones or in general nooks and crannies around the garden.
Devils coach horse beetle
The Devils coach horse belongs to the Rove Beetle family which is characterised by its long and shiny body.
This beetle is well known for its scorpion like appearance and beautiful armour plating. When threatened, this beetle arches its tail over its head like a scorpion and can inflict a painful bite to humans.
This beetle also preys upon small slugs and other small insects.
The Devils coach horse belongs to the Rove Beetle family which is characterised by its long and shiny body.
This beetle is well known for its scorpion like appearance and beautiful armour plating. When threatened, this beetle arches its tail over its head like a scorpion and can inflict a painful bite to humans.
This beetle also preys upon small slugs and other small insects.
Stag beetles
Stag Beetles are famous for their large body size and impressive mandibles which resemble a stag’s antlers.
Only males have such large jaws which are used for mating displays and fighting off rivals. Most of a stag beetles' life however is actually spent underground or deep in decaying wood.
Stag beetle larvae can live for up to 7 years before emerging as fully grown beetles. These impressive sized beetles can be seen flying looking for a mate in midsummer.
Stag Beetles are famous for their large body size and impressive mandibles which resemble a stag’s antlers.
Only males have such large jaws which are used for mating displays and fighting off rivals. Most of a stag beetles' life however is actually spent underground or deep in decaying wood.
Stag beetle larvae can live for up to 7 years before emerging as fully grown beetles. These impressive sized beetles can be seen flying looking for a mate in midsummer.
Are ground beetles good for the garden?
Ground beetles are very beneficial for the garden in two main ways. They eat garden pests such as slugs and aphids while decomposer species will break down organic matter and help form healthy soil.
Ground beetles are very beneficial for the garden in two main ways. They eat garden pests such as slugs and aphids while decomposer species will break down organic matter and help form healthy soil.
What do ground beetles eat?
Most ground beetles eat other small ground dwelling insects and invertebrates. Some of these include slugs, worms, ants, aphids, caterpillars and woodlice. However, decomposer ground beetles such as Stag beetles consume rotting wood and tree sap.
Most ground beetles eat other small ground dwelling insects and invertebrates. Some of these include slugs, worms, ants, aphids, caterpillars and woodlice. However, decomposer ground beetles such as Stag beetles consume rotting wood and tree sap.
How to encourage ground beetles to your garden
Even though ground beetles are extremely beneficial to the garden they have been persecuted in large numbers.
A combination of habitat loss and extensive use of insecticides have dramatically reduced ground beetle numbers. The Stag Beetle is a particularly threatened species which larvae needs undisturbed deadwood for a number of years in order to develop.
Ground beetles play a very important role in a garden's ecosystem. Therefore, you should seek to encourage ground beetles into your garden especially if you are gardening for wildlife.
Below we have listed the top 10 ways to encourage and attract ground beetles to your garden.
Even though ground beetles are extremely beneficial to the garden they have been persecuted in large numbers.
A combination of habitat loss and extensive use of insecticides have dramatically reduced ground beetle numbers. The Stag Beetle is a particularly threatened species which larvae needs undisturbed deadwood for a number of years in order to develop.
Ground beetles play a very important role in a garden's ecosystem. Therefore, you should seek to encourage ground beetles into your garden especially if you are gardening for wildlife.
Below we have listed the top 10 ways to encourage and attract ground beetles to your garden.
10 Ways to encourage garden ground beetles
1. Create log piles
Before people dominated the globe much of the land was covered by forest. As well as many species of living tree these forests were also full of old, dead and dying trees.
These supported just as many wildlife species as the living trees. Deadwood habitats are extremely rich in associated species and ground beetles are a main beneficiary.
A great way to attract ground beetles to your garden is by creating log piles. These dead wood piles provide the perfect place for ground beetles to shelter and forage.
Before people dominated the globe much of the land was covered by forest. As well as many species of living tree these forests were also full of old, dead and dying trees.
These supported just as many wildlife species as the living trees. Deadwood habitats are extremely rich in associated species and ground beetles are a main beneficiary.
A great way to attract ground beetles to your garden is by creating log piles. These dead wood piles provide the perfect place for ground beetles to shelter and forage.
2. Provide open compost heaps
Composting is a very effective way of recycling organic waste within the garden. However, many modern composters comprise of sealed plastic barrels and containers.
If you create a more traditional open compost heap however, its habitat value increases tremendously! By forming a heap of slowly degrading garden waste you will invigorate a whole mini ecosystem of decomposer species.
Not only will the heap provide plenty of shelter it will also provide ample prey for ground beetles.
Composting is a very effective way of recycling organic waste within the garden. However, many modern composters comprise of sealed plastic barrels and containers.
If you create a more traditional open compost heap however, its habitat value increases tremendously! By forming a heap of slowly degrading garden waste you will invigorate a whole mini ecosystem of decomposer species.
Not only will the heap provide plenty of shelter it will also provide ample prey for ground beetles.
3. Build bug hotels
Bug hotels are fabricated structures which are intended to create plenty of hiding places for insects and invertebrates.
One of the biggest problems for wildlife today is gardens do not have appropriate places to shelter. Bug hotels can be made with recycled materials such as rocks, bricks, logs, sticks and soil.
Many bug hotels can become very effective examples of land art displaying different colours and visual textures. These can become ecological sculptures within a garden design theme.
There are also many, smaller bug and insect hotels available on the market.
4. Plant diverse and ecological planting
The key to encouraging ground beetles into your garden is providing a diverse array of habitats.
The best way to do this is grow a diverse range of different plants. This will encourage a varied mixture of different creatures which will stimulate a rich ecosystem.
Try to include plants that flower throughout the season and vary in size and form. Planting plants from your local region will also encourage local species and be more likely to thrive.
For more information on the best plants for wildlife visit our article here.
The key to encouraging ground beetles into your garden is providing a diverse array of habitats.
The best way to do this is grow a diverse range of different plants. This will encourage a varied mixture of different creatures which will stimulate a rich ecosystem.
Try to include plants that flower throughout the season and vary in size and form. Planting plants from your local region will also encourage local species and be more likely to thrive.
For more information on the best plants for wildlife visit our article here.
5. Mulch garden borders
Ground beetles prefer to travel across soft and moist ground with plenty of places to hide.
One of the best ways to ensure you have such conditions is to mulch your garden borders. Wood chips and mulches provide an organic and protective layer to topsoil.
This allows decomposer species and soil ecology to flourish. When your garden has thriving soil ecosystems this provides abundant soil for ground beetles.
Beetles such as the stag beetle get the extra benefit of being able to feed on the decaying wood itself.
Ground beetles prefer to travel across soft and moist ground with plenty of places to hide.
One of the best ways to ensure you have such conditions is to mulch your garden borders. Wood chips and mulches provide an organic and protective layer to topsoil.
This allows decomposer species and soil ecology to flourish. When your garden has thriving soil ecosystems this provides abundant soil for ground beetles.
Beetles such as the stag beetle get the extra benefit of being able to feed on the decaying wood itself.
6. Grow dense ground cover plants
One of the biggest threats to ground beetles is predation when on the move. Beetles are particularly vulnerable to predation by birds.
Consequently, to make your garden more beetle friendly you should aim to provide dense cover. The most effective way to achieve this is by planting plants which form low lying thickets of vegetation.
These groundcover plants can not only provide shelter for beetles they also look very attractive. Groundcover plants can also help to suppress weeds and create carpets of colourful vegetation.
Why not visit our article listing some of the best groundcover plants for your garden?
7. Create a wildflower meadow
Wildflower meadows are extremely attractive habitats for ground beetles. Not only do they attract plenty of insects and invertebrates to feed upon they also provide great shelter.
The combination of tall grasses and wildflowers create dense jungles where beetles can hide and forage. The wilder the plants your wildflower meadow contains the richer its habitat value will be
To make your wild meadow even more attractive to beetles add some small hibernacula's and wood piles.
Wildflower meadows are extremely attractive habitats for ground beetles. Not only do they attract plenty of insects and invertebrates to feed upon they also provide great shelter.
The combination of tall grasses and wildflowers create dense jungles where beetles can hide and forage. The wilder the plants your wildflower meadow contains the richer its habitat value will be
To make your wild meadow even more attractive to beetles add some small hibernacula's and wood piles.
8. Rock piles
Piling up rocks, old paving or even bricks are a good way to provide safe places for ground beetles to hide.
Solid masonry materials are completely impenetrable by hedgehogs and birds which readily prey upon beetles. Rock piles do not even have to be random heaps within the garden.
Structural features such as dry-stone walls, gabions and rockeries are just as effective and beautiful. Not only do these rocky habitats provide places to hide they warm up in direct sunlight.
This can attract even more insects and other prey species directly to a ground beetle's resting place.
Piling up rocks, old paving or even bricks are a good way to provide safe places for ground beetles to hide.
Solid masonry materials are completely impenetrable by hedgehogs and birds which readily prey upon beetles. Rock piles do not even have to be random heaps within the garden.
Structural features such as dry-stone walls, gabions and rockeries are just as effective and beautiful. Not only do these rocky habitats provide places to hide they warm up in direct sunlight.
This can attract even more insects and other prey species directly to a ground beetle's resting place.
9. Create a woodland garden
Before human beings colonised the planet and built towns and cities most of the world was covered in forest.
Expansive woodlands are where most beetle species have lived and thrived for millions of years. Therefore, it is no surprise that ground beetles favour woodland environments.
You do not have to have a huge garden with large trees to create a woodland garden for beetles.
Simply by growing some woodland plants and including some deadwood habitat is good enough. Why not read our article on how to create a woodland garden here.
Before human beings colonised the planet and built towns and cities most of the world was covered in forest.
Expansive woodlands are where most beetle species have lived and thrived for millions of years. Therefore, it is no surprise that ground beetles favour woodland environments.
You do not have to have a huge garden with large trees to create a woodland garden for beetles.
Simply by growing some woodland plants and including some deadwood habitat is good enough. Why not read our article on how to create a woodland garden here.
10. Create a wildlife pond
Creating a wildlife garden is one of the best ways to attract wildlife to your garden. This may not necessarily seem to be the case for ground beetles at first glance.
After all it is common for ground beetles to occasionally fall into ponds by accident. However a well-established wildlife pond will encourage literally thousands of new species to your garden.
Such richness and diversity will increase the numbers of ground beetles your property can support. A pond will also encourage even new species of beetle to colonise your garden.
Do garden ground beetles bite?
All ground beetles have the ability to bite in self-defence if they are threatened. However generally they are completely harmless to humans.
The devils coach horse is the only ground beetle with the potential to cause any slight pain from a bite. However, it would have to be a large specimen and even biting on softer skin would not be able to pierce it.
At the very worst you would feel a slight pinch. The Black Clock Beetles maniples are so small it’s doubtful they could grab any skin.
A Stag Beetles jaws may look menacing but are intended for fighting rival males not grasping power. Therefore, it is doubtful a stag beetle could bite or cause any pain to a human.
Do garden ground beetles fly?
Most ground beetles cannot fly as they have adapted to a life on the ground. This means during evolution their wing cases have fused together for more robust armour. However stag beetles despite their larger size can fly over considerable distances to find a mate.
Most ground beetles cannot fly as they have adapted to a life on the ground. This means during evolution their wing cases have fused together for more robust armour. However stag beetles despite their larger size can fly over considerable distances to find a mate.
Do ground beetles come out at night?
Ground beetles prefer to forage around during the night as they are less visible to predators. Their favourite feeding times include dawn and dusk when their prey species are most active. However beetles will also be active during the day from time to time.
Wildlife garden services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction. If you are interested in our wildlife garden services please do not hesitate to contact us.
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction. If you are interested in our wildlife garden services please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on how to attract ground beetles to your garden. We have linked to some more of our wildlife garden articles that may interest you below!
Remember, if you enjoy our content, please, please help us spread the positive message by sharing on social media! Thank you so much!
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'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Bats are the only mammal species in the world that can fly. These remarkable creatures come out at night foraging our yards and gardens to hunt for flying insects.
You can occasionally see bats during dusk when they come out to hunt on the wing. Unfortunately, garden bats have declined dramatically in the last 50 years by up to 70%.
This is due to many factors including loss of habitat, declining prey species and a reduction in suitable roosting sites. In the past, buildings were much more likely to have imperfections and cavities where bats could seek shelter.
Large, mature and dead trees within the landscape also provided great hibernation and roosting sites. Today an increase in intensive agriculture and modern development have reduced suitable habitat for bats to thrive.
Hence, in this article, we will explain how you can make your garden bat friendly and attract bats into your garden. We will explore what habitats, plants, maintenance and installations which can be implemented to make your garden a bat haven.
What do garden bats eat?
All bats have a very varied diet but generally hunt flying insects while on the wing! This means they typically eat insects which fly at night including mosquitoes, gnats and moths among others.
Therefore, if you want to attract bats into your garden you should also aim to encourage flying insects.
All bats have a very varied diet but generally hunt flying insects while on the wing! This means they typically eat insects which fly at night including mosquitoes, gnats and moths among others.
Therefore, if you want to attract bats into your garden you should also aim to encourage flying insects.
Are bats good for the garden?
Bats are extremely beneficial to the garden consuming many pests including biting insects and plant eating bugs.
As with many modern gardens there is a distinct lack of predators. This creates a natural imbalance and increases the chance of pest species flourishing.
Bats are extremely beneficial to the garden consuming many pests including biting insects and plant eating bugs.
As with many modern gardens there is a distinct lack of predators. This creates a natural imbalance and increases the chance of pest species flourishing.
Are garden bats endangered?
Generally, as a whole, all species of garden bats are endangered. There may be areas however where localist populations thrive!
Overall, bat numbers have reduced by 70% and with no sign of reversal in habitat loss, all bat species are considered threatened.
However, the Serotine, Barbastelle, Long eared bat and Great mouse eared bat are officially endangered in the UK. Near threatened species include the Nathusius pipistrelle and Leislers bat.
Are all bats protected?
All species of garden bats in the UK & Europe are protected by law. This means it is an offence to handle them, disrupt their roosts or places of hibernation without a license.
Where do bats go during the day?
During the day bats go back to dark and shelter places known as roosts. These could be within the cracks or hollows of trees, rocky cliffs, old buildings, sheds and roofs.
Do garden bats hibernate?
Garden bats do hibernate and generally head to their hibernation sites in late autumn. During this time bats will find somewhere hidden and sheltered from winter weather.
During hibernation they will lower both their metabolism and body temperature. This is to reduce their need for energy and extra calories when natural food sources are scarce.
Garden bats do hibernate and generally head to their hibernation sites in late autumn. During this time bats will find somewhere hidden and sheltered from winter weather.
During hibernation they will lower both their metabolism and body temperature. This is to reduce their need for energy and extra calories when natural food sources are scarce.
How to attract bats into your garden?
Like all wild species, if you want to attract bats into your garden you should encourage natural balance.
This involves creating a variety of habitats catering for numerous species within the local ecosystem. If your garden is thriving with a great diversity of insects and invertebrates it will also be good for bats.
Below I have listed and described 10 ways to make your garden more bat friendly.
Like all wild species, if you want to attract bats into your garden you should encourage natural balance.
This involves creating a variety of habitats catering for numerous species within the local ecosystem. If your garden is thriving with a great diversity of insects and invertebrates it will also be good for bats.
Below I have listed and described 10 ways to make your garden more bat friendly.
10 Ways to make your garden bat friendly
1. Build a wildlife pond
One of the best things you can do for attract bats into your garden is to build a wildlife pond. Many of the insects that bats love to eat spend some of their early development in water.
Insects like mosquitoes, damselflies and crane flies emerge from ponds as adults and quickly get snapped up by hungry bats.
Ponds also attract many flying insects around dusk when bats prefer to hunt. Wildlife ponds also increase the diversity of species within and around a garden.
Such a vibrant ecosystem is much more likely to encourage flying predators such as bats.
One of the best things you can do for attract bats into your garden is to build a wildlife pond. Many of the insects that bats love to eat spend some of their early development in water.
Insects like mosquitoes, damselflies and crane flies emerge from ponds as adults and quickly get snapped up by hungry bats.
Ponds also attract many flying insects around dusk when bats prefer to hunt. Wildlife ponds also increase the diversity of species within and around a garden.
Such a vibrant ecosystem is much more likely to encourage flying predators such as bats.
2. Create a wildflower meadow
Wildflower meadows are grasslands rich in wildflowers which are left to grow to their full height during the growing season.
This has two main benefits for bats; firstly, the dense cover provides plenty of shelter for many insect's bats like to feed upon. Secondly the diverse arrays of wildflowers are a magnet for pollinating insects and moths which bats love.
As with wildlife ponds, meadows enrich the environment as a whole, helping to boost local ecology. Such rich habitats are much favoured by bats.
3. Create a woodland garden
One of the main reasons that bats have been declining for many years is a lack of suitable habitats.
Bats naturally like places with plenty of trees and dense cover like a natural woodland. Such environments provide plenty of opportunities for both roosting and hunting. Woodland gardens do not even have to have large trees to be beneficial to bats.
Woodland shrubs and plants can be grown within shady areas to create mini woodland habitats for bats. Why not read our article on how to create a woodland garden here.
4. Provide dead wood habitats
Deadwood habitats were once a common feature within the landscape before large areas of forests were cleared.
Dead and decomposing wood is perfect habitat for thousands of decomposer species. Some of these include specialised, fungi, bacteria, insects and invertebrates. Even if these are not directly eaten by bats, they invigorate the lower portion of the food chain.
Decomposing wood not only provides food and shelter for small wildlife it also helps to form healthy soil. Healthy soil is the foundation base of any thriving ecosystem.
If you have healthy soil, you will have healthy amounts of wildlife! This will intern make your garden more bee friendly.
5. Plant diverse native and ecological planting
One of the most important parts of attracting bats into your garden is diversity. The greater the diversity of plants and vegetation, the more prey species there will be.
When planting your garden try to include a good variety of different plants. Try to include some plants which are native to your region. This will instantly attract wildlife adapted to your locality.
Also plant some non-native plants which are known for providing pollen and nectar. A good example of this would be shrubs like the butterfly bush.
Try to plant as many beneficial plants for wildlife as possible which will ultimately provide extra food for bats. Why not visit our article on the best 85 plants for attracting wildlife into your garden.
6. Install bat boxes
One of the largest contributors to declining bat numbers is a lack of suitable roost sites. Before mass deforestation, bats mainly roosted within the structure of very old trees.
Consequently, when old forests were cleared it deprived most bats of suitable places to raise young and hibernate. A great way to mitigate this problem is to install bat boxes of which there are many types on the market.
Try to install boxes as high up in trees as you can or just under the roof of your home. Make sure a boxes orientation receives some morning or afternoon sun but not full sun all day.
Providing good quality roosting sites is a very proactive way of making your garden more bat friendly.
7. Grow scented plants
Growing plants which give off scent is a good strategy for attracting bats into your garden. Plants with scented flowers have evolved to attract flying insects to their blooms.
Flowering plants which give off extra scent in the evening are even more effective at attracting flying insects. Plants like White Jasmine, Evening Primrose and Honeysuckle all draw in numerous flying insects to a given area.
All of which can become quick, tasty, meals for hungry bats encouraging them to visit your garden regularly.
8. Build a bug hotel
Bug hotels are simple but intricate structures which provide plenty of nooks and crannies for small creatures to seek shelter.
These are typically created using a combination of organic waste and recycled materials. Bug hotels do not even have to look messy or untidy, many examples look extremely aesthetic and artistic.
You can design your bug hotel any way you wish and even to attract specific bug species. As far as bats are concerned, the more bugs you have dancing around your garden the better.
Therefore, a well-built bug hotel is a great way to make your garden more bat friendly.
9. Keep cats in at night
Cats are magnificent animals and a real joy to have as part of the family. However, no matter how cute and cuddly they seem they are extremely efficient hunters.
As amazing it seems that cats could catch bats on the wing they can! Cats have a very keen eye for movement and are extremely fast and agile. Bats use specific flight paths along linear landscape features such as hedges and fences.
Unfortunately, this leaves them very vulnerable to ambush by house cats. If you want to reduce the risk to bats in your garden keep your cats inside at night!
10. Don’t use chemicals
It is easy to be tempted to use chemicals to solve garden problems such as weeds and pests. However, it is important to realise that such chemicals affect all living creatures within your garden.
Bats will consume hundreds of flying insects and other creatures within their territory. Therefore, they will be ingesting any creatures which have been affected by chemicals and poisons.
This can lead to the death of local bats ruining any positive bat friendly efforts you have undertaken. Just because there is no evidence particular insecticides kill other creatures it doesn’t mean they do not
There are many examples of past chemicals which were once thought to be safe which are now banned. If you want to make your garden bat friendly, please do not use chemicals.
It is easy to be tempted to use chemicals to solve garden problems such as weeds and pests. However, it is important to realise that such chemicals affect all living creatures within your garden.
Bats will consume hundreds of flying insects and other creatures within their territory. Therefore, they will be ingesting any creatures which have been affected by chemicals and poisons.
This can lead to the death of local bats ruining any positive bat friendly efforts you have undertaken. Just because there is no evidence particular insecticides kill other creatures it doesn’t mean they do not
There are many examples of past chemicals which were once thought to be safe which are now banned. If you want to make your garden bat friendly, please do not use chemicals.
Wildlife garden services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction. If you are interested in our wildlife garden services please do not hesitate to contact us.
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction. If you are interested in our wildlife garden services please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on how to make your garden more bat friendly. If you enjoyed it why not spread the positive message and share it on social media?
This helps us to write more informative articles about attracting wildlife to your garden. Below we have linked to some of our other wildlife garden articles which may interest you!
This helps us to write more informative articles about attracting wildlife to your garden. Below we have linked to some of our other wildlife garden articles which may interest you!
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'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Frogs are truly amazing creatures which have colonised pretty much every inhabitable cotenant, worldwide.
Their range spans various habitats from tropical rainforests to the great northern forests. These short, bodied, amphibians are so adaptive they are regularly found living within urban environments.
As long as there is some form of standing water, cover and prey, frogs will thrive! If you want to attract frogs into your garden ideally, you will have some crucial, fundamental, elements:
Their range spans various habitats from tropical rainforests to the great northern forests. These short, bodied, amphibians are so adaptive they are regularly found living within urban environments.
As long as there is some form of standing water, cover and prey, frogs will thrive! If you want to attract frogs into your garden ideally, you will have some crucial, fundamental, elements:
- A sizable still pond planted with native pond plants and varying depths
- A diverse range of plant communities which attract a great diversity of species
- Low growing, dense plants which create dense thickets of moist foliage
- Green corridors providing safe passage between your gardens and surrounding gardens
- Secluded hiding places where frogs can escape predators
- Surrounding vegetation which shelters frogs from direct sun and extreme weather
In this article we will investigate how to attract frogs into your garden whatever your gardens circumstances. We will explain the best habitats, plants, ponds and landscape features frogs are most attracted to.
In this article we will investigate how to attract frogs into your garden whatever your gardens circumstances. We will explain the best habitats, plants, ponds and landscape features frogs are most attracted to.
Are garden frogs endangered?
Frog numbers have dramatically reduced in the past 100 years. This has been due to a loss of suitable habitat and especially the reduction of freshwater ponds.
Modern farming has led to regional draining of natural wetlands and a reduced need for irrigation pools. Today, common garden frogs are not endangered and reasonably widespread.
However, their numbers are dramatically lower today than they were in the past. Urban developments and roads mean frog populations can become fragmented and isolated.
This can result in inbreeding and poor genetic diversity leading to less resilient populations.
Benefits of garden frogs
Frogs are very beneficial to garden environments consuming a whole range of common, pest, species.
Frogs prey upon; slugs, snails, millipedes, caterpillars and numerous insects including beetles, fly's and mosquitoes. Frogs do not only eat numerous pests they are also an indicator species of a clean environment.
These small amphibians are also a pleasure to see in the garden. The frog’s basic evolutionary design has remained unchanged for 50 million years!
Now that’s a really cool creature to have in your own garden!
How to attract frogs to my garden?
If you want to attract frogs into your garden you need to provide three fundamental things: food, water and shelter.
Food
You do not need to feed frogs, simply provide good habitat for their prey. This can be done by planting a diverse range of different plant species and habitat types.
Water
Frogs do actually spend the majority of their time on land, but they do need water to drink and breed. They also need continuously damp and humid environments, so their skin does not dry out. Consequently, if you want to encourage frogs to your garden you will need some standing water.
Shelter
Frogs can be vulnerable to larger predators within the garden including birds, cats, foxes and even snakes. Therefore, they will need some shelter to hide and rest. This can be achieved by planting dense vegetation and creating safe crevices for them to hide.
10 Ways to attract frogs to my garden
1. Build a wildlife pond
Without a doubt the best thing to do to attract frogs into your garden is to create a wildlife pond. This will provide an optimum environment for garden frogs to breed and forage for food. The larger your pond is the more frogs it will support. Make sure it is well planted with native pond plants and dense, marginal, vegetation.
Without a doubt the best thing to do to attract frogs into your garden is to create a wildlife pond. This will provide an optimum environment for garden frogs to breed and forage for food. The larger your pond is the more frogs it will support. Make sure it is well planted with native pond plants and dense, marginal, vegetation.
2. Create a wildflower meadow
Wildflower meadows are grasslands which contain a rich diversity of wildflowers. The diversity of these flowering plants combined with dense vegetation makes them a magnet for wildlife. Meadows attract thousands of small insects and invertebrates which frogs love to feed upon. The dense cover also provides moist places for frogs to hide.
Wildflower meadows are grasslands which contain a rich diversity of wildflowers. The diversity of these flowering plants combined with dense vegetation makes them a magnet for wildlife. Meadows attract thousands of small insects and invertebrates which frogs love to feed upon. The dense cover also provides moist places for frogs to hide.
3. Plant native and ecological planting
To attract frogs into your garden, plant, plants with some wildlife or habitat, value. This typically includes native plants and ecological planting. Ecological plants are normally not native but provide either food or shelter for wildlife. For more information on the best plants for wildlife visit our article here.
4. Grow dense groundcover plants
Frogs are mainly nocturnal which means they prefer to forage at night. It is at these times when they are most vulnerable to predators. Groundcover plants can form a dense, sheltered, environment for frogs to move around. They can be planted along the front of flower borders or around ponds. For our full list of groundcover plants visit our article here.
5. Mulch the soil
Mulching is the process of smothering garden soil with organic mulch. This can be wood chippings, leaf mulch, compost or even straw. The idea is mulch helps to keep the soil moist, prevent weeds and feed soil microorganisms. This leads to more small creatures for frogs to eat and generally more moist and humid conditions which frogs' favour.
6. Create hibernacula’s
Hibernacula’s are piles of organic materials deliberately formed to create shelter for wildlife. These can be put together with plenty of gaps and crevices for hibernating species. If you want to attract frogs into your garden build small hibernacula’s nearby wildlife ponds. Small, fist sized, cavities can be created to make perfect hiding places for garden frogs.
7. Create an open compost heap
Compost heaps are a very effective way to recycle organic waste and create organic fertiliser. However they can also be effective at encouraging frogs into your garden. However, this is only the case if your compost heap is open and not within a closed, plastic, container. Create a heap of slowly decomposing garden waste. The warm and moist environment will make a perfect place for frogs to feed and hide.
8. Build frog burrows
Some of the best human interventions for encouraging frogs in the garden are manmade burrows. These can provide perfect places for frogs to hide out during the day and hibernate. Frog burrows can be made in many ways including with bricks and old slabs. Old clay pipes can also lead to hollows created with old bricks mortared together.
9. Create access
A typical problem for garden frogs is not being able to move from one place to another safely. Gardens can be problematic places to be if there are ridged fences and masonry walls. Try to create small underpasses under fences so frogs and move around freely. You can also plant green highways of vegetation, so frogs have safe passage.
A typical problem for garden frogs is not being able to move from one place to another safely. Gardens can be problematic places to be if there are ridged fences and masonry walls. Try to create small underpasses under fences so frogs and move around freely. You can also plant green highways of vegetation, so frogs have safe passage.
10. Buy a frog house
Frog houses are small, circular, pots with an entrance specifically designed for frogs. They can be placed around ponds and flower borders to provide shady places for frogs to rest. Frog homes can also act as small, garden, ornaments and can make great, wildlife, garden, gifts.
Can I attract frogs to my garden without a pond?
Although a pond is probably the best thing you can do to encourage frogs it’s not essential. Frogs do actually send most of their time on land so your garden can be still become a frog haven.
This is especially so if you live in a naturally low-lying area or have wetland habitat nearby. You will want to create as diverse a wildlife garden as possible!
Plant plenty of low-lying dense plants which provide plenty of food for wildlife. Create as many good places to hide and stay moist as possible with compost heaps, hibernacula’s, burrows and meadow.
If you are worried about creating a large pond, why not make a really small pond? This could be as small as an old washing basin submerged into the soil.
Why don’t I get frogs in my garden pond?
If you don’t have frogs within your garden pond there could be a few reasons why. Firstly, you could be in a location where frogs find it difficult to travel too.
For instance, many upland and hilly areas do not always have good populations of frogs. This is generally due to enhanced exposure from the weather and a lack of lowland wetlands.
If you are in a rural area which is completely surrounded by modern agriculture this can act as a barrier to frogs. This is especially so if the land is regularly ploughed or mechanically worked in other ways.
However, even within some sub-urban pond's frogs can appear to be absent. This may be because your pond is surrounded by open and exposed areas of paving or lawn.
Frogs need a certain level of cover when travelling to and from ponds to avoid being picked off by predators. This can further be exacerbated by pets such as dogs and especially cats.
However, even within some sub-urban pond's frogs can appear to be absent. This may be because your pond is surrounded by open and exposed areas of paving or lawn.
Frogs need a certain level of cover when travelling to and from ponds to avoid being picked off by predators. This can further be exacerbated by pets such as dogs and especially cats.
Do garden lights attract frogs?
It has been speculated many times that garden lights do attract frogs. I have also had a personal experience with this in my own wildlife garden.
It is very common to see garden frogs at night within the illumination of outside lighting. However this probably has more to do with the fact that lights attract many flying insects.
This concentrates plenty of the frog's prey all in one place! Frogs can then comfortably capture them with their long, sticky, tongues.
It has been speculated many times that garden lights do attract frogs. I have also had a personal experience with this in my own wildlife garden.
It is very common to see garden frogs at night within the illumination of outside lighting. However this probably has more to do with the fact that lights attract many flying insects.
This concentrates plenty of the frog's prey all in one place! Frogs can then comfortably capture them with their long, sticky, tongues.
What do garden frogs eat?
Garden frogs typically eat worms, slugs, flies, moths, mosquitoes, and many other insects and invertebrates.
Garden frogs typically eat worms, slugs, flies, moths, mosquitoes, and many other insects and invertebrates.
Should I feed garden frogs?
You should not really try to feed frogs that visit your garden. If they are living in your garden, they probably already have plenty of natural food.
It is very common to find a garden frog that does not seem to be moving. This is because frogs mainly rely on their camouflage to remain undetected. It does not necessarily mean the frog is injured or hungry!
The best thing to do is place the frog in a safe and sheltered place within dense vegetation. Feeding wild creatures can distort their natural foraging habits and lead to dependence.
You should not really try to feed frogs that visit your garden. If they are living in your garden, they probably already have plenty of natural food.
It is very common to find a garden frog that does not seem to be moving. This is because frogs mainly rely on their camouflage to remain undetected. It does not necessarily mean the frog is injured or hungry!
The best thing to do is place the frog in a safe and sheltered place within dense vegetation. Feeding wild creatures can distort their natural foraging habits and lead to dependence.
What are good plants for attracting frogs?
The best plants for attracting frogs are those which provide lots of cover at ground level. Some of the best of these are those which create moist thickets of foliage.
Good examples of these include many species of ferns, Bergenias, Geraniums and grasses. Also, plant species which encourage wildlife in general are good for attracting frogs.
Frogs like environments full of flying and ground dwelling insects and invertebrates. Furthermore, ground cover plants can provide lots of cover for garden frogs.
How to make a garden pond for frogs?
In the wild frogs can inhabit water bodies of varying sizes from seasonal flooded ponds to large lakes. Typically, frogs prefer to stay in shallow water within the more vegetated, marginal, zones. This is where they are less likely to be hunted by predatory fish and birds.
Consequently, it would be tempting to assume a shallower pond is best. However, at a garden scale the larger the pond the better as it will support more frogs than a smaller one.
It is best to maximise the edge perimeter as much as possible with curves and organic shapes. This will provide more marginal and vegetated shallows which frogs love.
These shallow zones are also good places for frog spawn.
The young tadpoles will have plenty of places to hide amongst the dense vegetation.
It is recommended to have a variation of different shelf depths to accommodate a diverse aquatic ecosystem.
Ponds for frogs should also have a much deeper central plunge zone. This can help to provide a more stable water temperature and water that doesn’t freeze in harsh winters.
How deep should a garden pond be for frogs?
There are no specifically defined pond depths perfect for frogs. However there are three optimum depth ranges which should be implemented:
Depths 700mm - 1200mm
It is always advised that any pond should have a sizable deep area.
This is to allow a plunge pool in the centre which will collect silt and organic matter over time. Such depths can prevent shallow areas from becoming clogged up and cloudy. These deep areas also help to maintain a less volatile water temperature during the seasons.
Medium shelves 300mm - 700mm
Frogs benefit from ponds which have rich and vibrant ecosystems full of varying aquatic species. This diversity results in plenty of prey for frogs to feed upon. The best way to cater for as many pond species as possible is with varying shelf depths. Many species of aquatic life including plants have optimum depths they prefer. By catering for as many species as possible you will make your pond a frog paradise!
Shallows 50mm - 300mm
Frogs are ambush predators and hunt in a similar way to crocodiles. When submerged within the shallows of a pond they patiently wait with their mouths just poking above the surface. When suitable prey comes within range, they ambush them with their long sticky tongues. This makes expansive, shallow shelves, perfect places for frogs to feed. These shallow zones are also optimum for spawning and the development of tadpoles. Tadpoles use these well vegetated shallows to feed and evade capture by larger predators.
What plants do frogs like in a pond?
The best pond plants for frogs will generally be those native to your country or region. These will have the best chance of providing food and shelter for creatures which frogs eat.
You will also need a good combination of different types of pond plants. These should include oxygenators, marginal’s, floating plants and those which provide dense cover.
Why not check out are article on the best plants for a wildlife pond.
Do frogs return to the same pond?
Frogs are much more likely to colonise new ponds than toads. Toads generally prefer to breed in larger bodies of water and can travel many miles to their preferred wetlands.
Frogs on the other hand are less religious about sticking to a single pond. I have even seen frog spawn in large puddles formed by garden clutter and rubbish
If you have a sizable and particularly suitable pond for frogs, they will return every year. Male frogs will fight it out for the best mating locations.
Therefore, some may return and stay while others may have to seek other less desirable locations.
Frogs are much more likely to colonise new ponds than toads. Toads generally prefer to breed in larger bodies of water and can travel many miles to their preferred wetlands.
Frogs on the other hand are less religious about sticking to a single pond. I have even seen frog spawn in large puddles formed by garden clutter and rubbish
If you have a sizable and particularly suitable pond for frogs, they will return every year. Male frogs will fight it out for the best mating locations.
Therefore, some may return and stay while others may have to seek other less desirable locations.
Where do frogs go in winter?
Like reptiles, frogs are cold blooded; this means they cannot generate their own body heat. Consequently, frogs hibernate during the winter in a place which is moist but will not freeze.
They will hibernate underground in animal burrows, under logs, compost heaps, behind broken masonry or in muddy depths of deep ponds.
Wildlife garden services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction. Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years' experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction.
We have extensive experience in creating frog and amphibian habitats. We cover Northwest London, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire
If you are interested in our wildlife garden services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on how to attract frogs into your garden. Below we have included some of our other wildlife garden articles which may interest you! If you found this post useful why not share it to spread the message? Thank you!
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Useful links for attracting frogs to your garden
'As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Newts are an extremely beneficial species to have in your garden and within your local area.
These small, lizard like, creatures are well known to consume garden pests and be an indicator of a healthy environment. If you want to know how to attract newts to your garden, you are I the right place!
In this article we explain ways to encourage newts into your garden as well as answering some common questions about newts.
These small, lizard like, creatures are well known to consume garden pests and be an indicator of a healthy environment. If you want to know how to attract newts to your garden, you are I the right place!
In this article we explain ways to encourage newts into your garden as well as answering some common questions about newts.
What are newts?
Newts are small lizard creatures which like to live in damp, humid, places with plenty of dense vegetation.
Newts are amphibians which mean they spend some of the season in wetland habitats. During spring and late winter newts emerge from hibernation to find a mate.
Mating occurs in places with still, fresh water, habitats such as small lakes and ponds. When mating is complete the female newt lays eggs individually hidden in submerged vegetation.
In the UK there are three species of Newts: Common, Palmate and Great crested newt. All are very similar in form resembling lizards but with moist, amphibian, skin.
The Common Newt
The common newt or 'smooth newt' is the most likely species to find its way into your garden.
This common species typically grows to around 10 centimetres in length and spends most of its time on land. So much so that this species originally was thought to be a type of lizard.
Its ability to wander long distances without the need of water has resulted in it becoming extremely widespread and common. The Smooth newt therefore can occupy gardens without ponds and may even be present without you noticing.
The best way to encourage common newts to stay in your garden is to provide them with a suitable wildlife pond. This will enable them a place to find a mate as well as more species to feed upon. Common newts typically feed on small slugs, worms and insects.
They are very tolerant of different habitats including grasslands, woodlands, parks, gardens as wells as agricultural landscapes.
The Palmate Newt
The Palmate Newt is very similar in appearance and size to the common newt. However this newt's range is much more fragmented than the Common Newt.
Palmate newts prefer to breed in small ponds in areas with more acidic soils. This makes them more likely to be found on moors, heath land and upland areas.
They are slightly smaller than the common newt but like commons do have spots on their underside. The main difference being palmate newts is they do not have spots on the throat.
If you want to encourage Palmate newts into your garden check an up-to-date distribution map first. You may find that they have not been recorded in your area.
However, the best course of action is to create perfect newt habitats in your garden and wait. This typically will involve building a small wildlife pond and surrounding it with low lying vegetation.
Palmate newts are not tolerant of breeding in ponds with fish so don’t be tempted to introduce fishes as they will eat baby newts. When you have newt species present try to get close enough to identify them without any disturbance.
The Great Crested Newt
The largest and rarest of the three, newt, species is the Great Crested Newt. These are sometimes confused with the common newt as the males also have large crests during the mating season.
However, Great crested newts are much larger than Palmate and common newts and prefer larger bodies of freshwater habitat. Although this species is widespread its range has become increasingly fragmented and localised.
Normally you will only find Great Crested Newts in your garden if you have natural wetlands nearby. However, you can encourage Great Crested Newts into your garden if you live in areas of less development or with significant green corridors.
If you want to encourage Great crested newts into your garden, larger sized wildlife ponds should be excavated. These ideally will be surrounded by dense vegetation and located in places of minimal human disturbance.
It is important to remember that this endangered newt is heavily protected by law. It is illegal to capture, disturb or handle Great Crested Newts.
It is important to remember that this endangered newt is heavily protected by law. It is illegal to capture, disturb or handle Great Crested Newts.
Are newts good for the garden?
Newts are certainly beneficial to gardeners who do not like slugs and other insects eating their plants.
Like all creatures every species has a part to play in maintaining a gardens ecological balance. More often than not small predators such as newts do not always find suitable habitats in gardens.
This leads to higher numbers of garden pests which can cause damage to plants. Yes, newts are good for the garden, but they may also consume some beneficial species such as earthworms.
What do newts eat?
Newts normally eat insects and invertebrates such as small slugs, caterpillars and worms. While in ponds they also eat insect aquatic insect larvae, tadpoles, molluscs, worms and crustaceans.
Where do newts go in the winter?
Most newts find somewhere safe on land to hibernate during the winter. This is typically somewhere damp and humid such as in a compost heap, log piles or under rocks.
Generally, newts like to hibernate in places where they are relatively close to spring breeding ponds.
Most newts find somewhere safe on land to hibernate during the winter. This is typically somewhere damp and humid such as in a compost heap, log piles or under rocks.
Generally, newts like to hibernate in places where they are relatively close to spring breeding ponds.
One of our 'newt caves' constructed on a wildlife garden project
How do I know if I already have newts in my garden?
Newts are relatively widespread so there is a good chance you have at least one species in your garden. It could be the case that newts live locally but have no real reason to visit your garden.
Follow the advice in this article to change that and make your garden a haven for newts. Newts are nocturnal so it will be a good idea to have a look around at night with a torch.
Search under old paving slabs and ornaments but take care not to harm them. Create small damp shelters with old paving to see if any newts use them to hide during the day!
Newts are relatively widespread so there is a good chance you have at least one species in your garden. It could be the case that newts live locally but have no real reason to visit your garden.
Follow the advice in this article to change that and make your garden a haven for newts. Newts are nocturnal so it will be a good idea to have a look around at night with a torch.
Search under old paving slabs and ornaments but take care not to harm them. Create small damp shelters with old paving to see if any newts use them to hide during the day!
How do I attract newts to the garden?
To attract newts into your garden you will need to provide plenty of rich and diverse newt habitats.
This will include plenty of low lying, dense vegetation, ecological planting, moist soil, decomposing organic material and ponds for breeding.
Newts require plenty of food and shelter to thrive within a garden environment. If your garden is already designed for wildlife, you will have a better chance of attracting plenty of newts.
For more specific ways of attracting garden newts, we have identified 10 effective elements and installations below.
10 ways to attract newts to your garden
1. Build a wildlife pond
It’s no surprise that one of the best garden installations for attracting newts is a wildlife pond. Not only do ponds provide places for newts to breed they also provide rich feeding grounds.
Wildlife ponds boost the local ecology of a garden which intern provides more rich environments for all species.
Such wetlands provide the perfect starting point if you really want to encourage newts into your garden.
Try to build a pond with a combination of shallow slopes and deeper central areas. A good diversity of dense, pond plants and surrounding vegetation will also be beneficial.
2. Grow a greater diversity of plants
One of the biggest factors when trying to attract any wild species is to create a rich and diverse environment. The best way to do this is to plant a good diversity of different plants.
A combination of both native and ecologically beneficial species is always effective. This will encourage a wide diversity of different wildlife as a whole. This will boost numbers of organisms which newts feed upon such as insects, worms and slugs.
A good mixture of shrubs, climbers, perennials, biennials and annuals will also boost habitat value.
3. Establish a wildflower meadow
Wildflower meadows can be extremely beneficial when attracting newts to your garden. The long grasses and wildflowers provide plenty of dense and damp vegetation to forage.
When established, wild meadows become awash with flowers, these provide plenty of pollen and nectar for insects. This makes them rich feeding grounds for newts while also being well hidden from larger predators.
Linear drifts of wildflower meadows can provide green corridors for newts connecting varying habitats together.
This is most effective when providing dense, cover, access, to and from breeding ponds.
4. Plant dense ground covers
The best type of planting for newts is low growing ground cover plants. These provide a dense canopy of vegetation to protect newts from larger predators such as birds.
Groundcover planting provides clear access at soil level making it fast and easy for newts to move around. This can benefit the local newts to conserve energy and stay safe when on the move.
Some good examples of suitable groundcovers are Bergenia, Heuchera, Creeping Juniper, Heather, Ladys Mantle, Ferns and St John’s Wort.
5. Mulch garden borders
Mulching may not seem a very obvious way to attract newts into your garden! However mulching flower borders can invigorate garden ecosystems from the ground up.
Decomposing soil mulches invigorates soil ecology and feeds many species of insects and invertebrates. It’s these small creatures which newts love to feed upon in great numbers.
Mulching also helps to keep the surface of a gardens soil moist. Moist ground conditions are much more favourable to local newts helping to encourage them into your garden.
6. Create log piles
Dead wood habitats provide some of the best habitat for newts. The slowly decomposing timber can provide warm and moist places for these amphibians to hide.
Such habitats can easily be created with piles of logs preferably from native and locally sourced trees. Log piles can be situated around ponds or placed throughout nearby flower borders.
Dead wood habitats, combined with densely planted vegetation, is particularly effective for attracting newts into your garden.
7. Build a dry-stone wall
Dry stone walls can be visually very effective in gardens providing good visual textures. They can also form amazing habitats for newts.
The cracks and crevices within the wall's construction can allow the perfect hiding places for newts to shelter. If built with newts in mind they can be engineered to incorporate small burrows.
These can be utilised by newts for shelter and can also create perfect hibernation opportunities. Such walls can warm up quickly during the spring helping newts to emerge from hibernation.
8. Create artificial newt shelters
One of the biggest threats to newts in gardens is falling victim to predator attack. The best gardens for newts have plenty of places to hide and stay out of harm’s way.
A good way to do this is by incorporating small shelters specifically created for newts. These can simply be old slabs slotted together with small, protected voids inside.
9. Build hibernacula’s
Hibernaculas are fundamentally mounds of various materials which provide nesting and hibernation opportunities for wildlife.
These can be put together using old masonry, tree branches, timber, rocks and soil. Such hibernaculas for newts can be made a little smaller and situated around dense vegetation and ponds.
Small shelters can be built inside the hibernacula’s themselves creating perfect place to hide and overwinter.
10. Implement eco drainage
Eco drainage is an eco-friendlier method of draining surface water from urban areas.
During times of heavy rain urban storm water can overwhelm the drainage network and pollute water courses. Rainwater from gutters and hard garden surfaces can channelled into miniature wetlands instead of drainage networks.
This not only helps newts living in larger wetland areas but provides extra habitat for garden newts.
Eco drainage is an eco-friendlier method of draining surface water from urban areas.
During times of heavy rain urban storm water can overwhelm the drainage network and pollute water courses. Rainwater from gutters and hard garden surfaces can channelled into miniature wetlands instead of drainage networks.
This not only helps newts living in larger wetland areas but provides extra habitat for garden newts.
How do I attract newts to my pond?
If you want to attract more newts to an existing pond there are a few things, you can do. Plant more, native, pond, plants, both marginal and oxygenators.
Newts like to forage and lay eggs in dense pond vegetation. Go through our 10 ways to attract newts to your garden above. Think about all these elements can be incorporated in and around your pond.
Try to ensure that at least one part of your pond has dense vegetation leading up to it.
How to make a pond for newts?
If you want to build a wildlife pond for effective for newts understand that a pond perfect for all species is also perfect for newts!
Newts thrive when there is an abundance of small creatures and a thriving ecosystem. Try to build your pond with a deep centre to encourage a stable temperature.
Make sure you have plenty of densely planted shallow areas between 50mm and 150mm deep. This creates the perfect environment for newts to forage and their tadpoles to hide from predators.
Try to incorporate dense, ecological planting around your pond so newts can come and go safely.
Where do newts go in winter?
During the winter months newts choose to hibernate in snug places away from frost. Some popular places include under paving slabs, in crevices under pond liners, rock piles, dead wood, dry stone walls and soil hollows.
During the winter months newts choose to hibernate in snug places away from frost. Some popular places include under paving slabs, in crevices under pond liners, rock piles, dead wood, dry stone walls and soil hollows.
When do newts come back to ponds in spring?
When newts come back to the pond really depends on your regional climate and how cold late winter is. Normally newts start to head back to ponds to find a mate around mid-March.
When newts come back to the pond really depends on your regional climate and how cold late winter is. Normally newts start to head back to ponds to find a mate around mid-March.
What plants do newts like?
There are no specific plants which newts are attracted to but favour those with certain attributes. Firstly, newts like plants which encourage and support other wildlife.
This intern provides an abundant ecosystem when they can find more abundant food. Why not read our article on the top 85 plants for wildlife?
Generally, newts like plants which form dense carpets of vegetation up to 300mm high. This creates the perfect moist and sheltered environment for newts to forage.
For a full list of such plants why not visit our best ground cover plants article?
There are no specific plants which newts are attracted to but favour those with certain attributes. Firstly, newts like plants which encourage and support other wildlife.
This intern provides an abundant ecosystem when they can find more abundant food. Why not read our article on the top 85 plants for wildlife?
Generally, newts like plants which form dense carpets of vegetation up to 300mm high. This creates the perfect moist and sheltered environment for newts to forage.
For a full list of such plants why not visit our best ground cover plants article?
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Landscaping newts like
- Wildlife ponds
- Native and ecological planting
- Borders with low lying and groundcover planting
- Bark chippings and organic mulches
- Meadows
- Woodland gardens
- Bog gardens
- Log piles
Landscaping newts do not like
- Hard aggregates and gravels
- Paving and impermeable paving
- Artificial grass
- Manicured lawns
- Contemporary landscaping
- Solid boundary & retaining walls
Wildlife garden services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction. Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years' experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction.
We have extensive experience in creating newt and other amphibian habitats. We cover Northwest London, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire
If you are interested in our wildlife garden services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on how to attract newts to your garden. If it helped you with your research, why not spread the positive message by sharing this post? Below we have linked to some of our other wildlife garden articles which may interest you.
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Useful links:
'As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Wildlife gardens can be extremely exciting places to design, create and spend time in!
However, there are so many wildlife garden accessories which can bring your project to the next level. There are so many habitat boosters, nest boxes and wildlife study aids on the market today.
These can not only enhance your gardens habitat value but make it more interactive for you! Maybe you have a friend or family member who is thinking of starting a wildlife garden?
Perhaps some cool wildlife garden accessories could make that perfect gift? Look no further! We have put together a list of 20, fun, wildlife garden accessories, which will keep you entertained for days.
However, there are so many wildlife garden accessories which can bring your project to the next level. There are so many habitat boosters, nest boxes and wildlife study aids on the market today.
These can not only enhance your gardens habitat value but make it more interactive for you! Maybe you have a friend or family member who is thinking of starting a wildlife garden?
Perhaps some cool wildlife garden accessories could make that perfect gift? Look no further! We have put together a list of 20, fun, wildlife garden accessories, which will keep you entertained for days.
1. Bug hotels
Bug hotels are basically nest boxes for bugs! Although ‘bugs’ is not a scientific term it generally refers to a wide spectrum of insects and invertebrates.
These small creatures can be extremely beneficial to gardens keeping them healthy and free of pests.
Bug hotels provide many crevices and tubes for the most beneficial bugs to nest and overwinter.
2. Wildlife viewing tents
Once your wildlife garden has become established there will be many interesting creatures to observe.
The problem is, wildlife generally has a natural fear of humans, especially larger and rare species. This means if you want to watch your gardens wildlife you may need a wildlife viewing tent.
This small, camouflage, viewing den is great for getting up close and personal with garden wildlife.
3. Lady bird tower
Ladybird towers are a great way to provide homes for one of the most beneficial garden species.
Ladybirds and their larvae are extremely efficient at eating thousands of aphids in one season. Aphids such as greenfly eat through our favourite garden plants and vegetables.
This tower provides security from predators and safe places to hibernate.
Ladybird towers are a great way to provide homes for one of the most beneficial garden species.
Ladybirds and their larvae are extremely efficient at eating thousands of aphids in one season. Aphids such as greenfly eat through our favourite garden plants and vegetables.
This tower provides security from predators and safe places to hibernate.
4. Bird baths
Birds are some of the most enjoyable creatures to watch in the garden. Not only are they fun to watch and study, but they also eat many of the gardener's worst foes.
Garden birds eat their way through large amounts of slugs, snail’s caterpillars and aphids. Birds need fresh water to both drink and clean their feathers.
This raised bird bath provides water up and away from ground dwelling predators.
5. Solitary bee hives
When most people think of bees, they think of honeybees which live in large colonies.
However, some of the most beneficial and rare pollinator bees are in fact solitary. There are hundreds of different types of solitary bees all with varying attributes.
Some species prefer to nest within specific sized crevices or holes.
6. Wall planters
By greening otherwise harsh and bland, vertical, facades you can create extra wildlife garden habitats.
Bare fences, walls and structures are an untapped opportunity when it comes to wildlife. One of the most exciting ways to do this is with green wall planters.
These mountable planting pockets are great for wildflower displays or even vertical herb gardens. These can be accessorised with attached dead wood habitats and insect hotels.
7. Patio pond set
Many people get nervous about the idea of a large wildlife pond in their back garden. However, wildlife ponds do not have to be large in order to be beneficial.
In fact, ponds do not even have to be excavated into the ground. This patio pond set will enable you to bring your very own wildlife pond, up onto the patio.
Its glass windows allow you to peer in and study submerged aquatic wildlife.
8. Bat boxes
Although bat numbers have seen dramatic declines in the past decades many species are quite widespread.
This provides the opportunity to attract them into your garden if the conditions are right. One of the best ways to do this is by installing a bat box.
Bat boxes provide the perfect quarters for roosting, breeding and keeping safe from predators.
9. Bird boxes
One of the largest threats to modern bird populations is habitat loss. Birds prefer plenty of tree cover and multiple canopy layers to forage.
With many ancient woodlands having been felled, plantation woodlands provide less habitat value and nesting opportunities.
Therefore, it is always advised for every wildlife garden to have a bird box. Try to make sure you install them where there is no threat of harm from predators.
One of the largest threats to modern bird populations is habitat loss. Birds prefer plenty of tree cover and multiple canopy layers to forage.
With many ancient woodlands having been felled, plantation woodlands provide less habitat value and nesting opportunities.
Therefore, it is always advised for every wildlife garden to have a bird box. Try to make sure you install them where there is no threat of harm from predators.
10. Frog house
This frog house is a fun and ornamental way to provide extra shelter for amphibians. Frogs in particular love damp and secluded areas nearby ponds.
However, frogs can be predated by larger mammals and birds. Consequently, this frog house is a great way to make your garden frogs feel more secure.
Simply place it in dense vegetation nearby your wildlife pond.
11. Hedgehog home
Hedgehogs are delightful, spiny little creatures which curl up into a perfect ball when threatened.
These small mammals are foragers scouring low lying vegetation for grubs, insects and snails. Hedgehogs are extremely effective at consuming garden pests and have a good temperament.
Unfortunately, their numbers have declined by 90% in the past few decades. Hedgehog boxes like the one below will provide sheltered places for them to rest and raise young.
12. Wildlife camera
Trail cameras are a really fun way to see what wildlife is visiting your garden at night.
They are particularly good at capturing larger creatures which are typically the most reclusive.
Modern digital trail cams have multiple features including night vision, video and image bursts. They are great to set up facing wildlife ponds or linear areas of compacted ground or vegetation, (trails).
13. Butterfly feeder
Butterflies are flying insects which come in a variety of shapes and sizes with attractive wings.
Due to loss of habitat many butterfly species have seen a dramatic decline in numbers. This is why many choose to help their local butterflies by installing a butterfly feeder.
These can be filled with tasty treats butterflies love. Butterflies feed on nectar, a man-made substitute can be provided made of water, honey, sugar or fruit juice.
You can also leave them fruits such as Oranges, Mango, and Watermelon.
14. Hanging bird feeder
One of the best wildlife garden accessories to bring birds into your garden is a bird feeder. This is especially so in winter when wild birds have less, available, natural food.
However, many bird feeders can become fair game for other wildlife such as squirrels and even rats. Hanging bird feeders raise up feeders on a thin and narrow pole.
This makes it challenging for other garden wildlife to get access to the feed.
15. Bee bombs
Bee bombs are one of the most interactive and fun ways of encouraging bees to your garden.
These mud balls are filled with wildflowers and plants that bees absolutely love! When you throw them around your wildlife garden they will slowly fragment and absorb rainfall.
The seeds contained will then germinate, grow, mature and flower, attracting many different varieties of bees.
16. Garden hammock
Some of the best wildlife garden accessories are the ones which enable you to enjoy your project.
Hammocks are a great way to suspend yourself over a meadow or location with a good view. There is nothing better that lying back, closing your eyes and listening to the therapeutic sounds of nature.
This multicoloured hammock can be put up taken down rapidly via the clips provided.
17. Binoculars
Most of the time, you will have to observe most wildlife species at a fair distance.
This is because wildlife has evolved to have a healthy fear of mankind. Binoculars provide a method of getting a good look at wildlife without getting too close.
These can be a great accompaniment to wildlife watching hides or dens.
18. Window bird feeder
For the ultimate wildlife, garden, accessory with a difference why not put up a window bird feeder?
These ingenious feeders simply stick to your window allowing you to get a real close-up view of birds. However, a heads-up tip! It will take a few weeks for local birds to get used to them.
Make sure you have the curtains closed for the first few weeks for birds to get used to the feeder.
19. Nest box cameras
Modern technology is enabling us to do some exciting things with wildlife gardens! But what could be more exciting than watching wild birds raising their young at your very own home?
Nest box camera set ups are one of the most rewarding wildlife garden accessories on the market. These live cameras can connect to the nest box and wire straight into your home TV.
This allows you to sit back and enjoy watching your own nesting birds in real time!
Modern technology is enabling us to do some exciting things with wildlife gardens! But what could be more exciting than watching wild birds raising their young at your very own home?
Nest box camera set ups are one of the most rewarding wildlife garden accessories on the market. These live cameras can connect to the nest box and wire straight into your home TV.
This allows you to sit back and enjoy watching your own nesting birds in real time!
20. Book of garden wildlife
A great way to identify and learn about garden wildlife is by obtaining a fully illustrated book.
There are so many different kinds of wild plants and animals it would be impossible to learn them all. If you have an established wildlife garden or just out, an informative book can be a great resource.
There are plenty of well-illustrated, garden, wildlife guides available, including this example below.
Wildlife garden services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years' experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction. If you are interested in our wildlife garden services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on the best wildlife garden accessories. Did it give you some great ideas? If so, why not share it with your friends to spread the positive message about wildlife gardening!
We have linked to some other relevant articles you may like about wildlife gardening, below.
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'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Wildlife gardens are a great way to boost biodiversity around your home and bring you closer to nature.
If implemented correctly, wildlife garden ideas and proposals can be just as beautiful as traditional garden elements. Contrary to common believe wildlife gardens do not have to be an overgrown jungle.
In fact, they can be integrated into any garden design style or theme. You may wish to dedicate only a small space to a specific habitat such as a wildflower meadow.
Therefore, before planning or designing your wildlife garden it is a great idea to brainstorm. There are so many exciting, wildlife garden ideas which can bring your project alive!
Below we have listed and described 32 interactive and exciting wildlife garden ideas for your project. From unique garden habitats to biodiversity, boosting, hobbies, we have it all here.
If implemented correctly, wildlife garden ideas and proposals can be just as beautiful as traditional garden elements. Contrary to common believe wildlife gardens do not have to be an overgrown jungle.
In fact, they can be integrated into any garden design style or theme. You may wish to dedicate only a small space to a specific habitat such as a wildflower meadow.
Therefore, before planning or designing your wildlife garden it is a great idea to brainstorm. There are so many exciting, wildlife garden ideas which can bring your project alive!
Below we have listed and described 32 interactive and exciting wildlife garden ideas for your project. From unique garden habitats to biodiversity, boosting, hobbies, we have it all here.
1. Viewing dens
Wildlife viewing dens are a fantastic way to set up intimate experiences with nature. Although most garden wildlife is accustomed to people, they still chose to keep their distance.
This is especially so for the rarest wildlife. Viewing dens allow you to hide out within the landscape and patiently wait for wild encounters. Viewing hides are usually integrated within a greater wildlife garden design or strategy.
For example, dens may be positioned looking over a wildlife pond or feeding area. Wildlife watching dens can even be constructed with recycled materials such as pallets or external grade timber.
For extra effect they can be painted in camouflage or have a green roof installed on top.
2. Feeding stations
Feeding areas and stations can be particularly helpful during the winter months when natural food is scarce.
This is particularly so for birds and endangered mammals such as hedgehogs. Such stations can be species focused and materialised as feeding platforms or feeders.
It is very important however that you do not encourage vermin. All feeding operations should be restrained and monitored to make sure they are effective.
It is also important that you do not over feed a particular garden visitor. This could make the subject lose its fear of humans and put it at risk of accidental harm.
Feeding stations can be an effective way to support local wildlife but must be restrained and closely monitored.
3. Wildlife cameras
Wildlife cameras are a hi-tec way of seeing what animal species visit your garden, especially at night! The most popular choice today is the digital trail cameras.
These can take image bursts and video clips if the built-in sensor detects movement. These exciting gadgets are reasonably priced and come in a wide range of specifications.
Digital trail cams can be set up along trails or places of perceived wildlife activity such as ponds. The second type of wildlife cameras are live cameras wired into your TV port.
These systems can allow you to tap nesting boxes or other areas of ecological interest. Wildlife cameras are a fantastic idea for anyone creating a wildlife garden.
4. Hibernacula’s
Hibernacula’s can take many forms but generally consist of a collection of both organic and recycled masonry materials.
These are amassed randomly in a fashion which provides both shelter and nesting opportunities for wild creatures. One of the biggest threats to garden wildlife today is a lack of suitable nesting and shelter.
Hibernacula’s can provide the perfect man-made habitat to mitigate the absence of shelter provided by naturally occurring habitats.
5. Bird boxes
Bird boxes come in a wide variety of shapes sizes and styles. Very often, boxes are designed with a specific species focus as certain birds prefer specific size entrances and nests.
Many bird species also prefer to nest at varying heights and orientations to prevailing winds. This makes not only the box themselves important but also their installation.
Bird boxes are a n effective way to encourage wild bird species to your garden.
6. Standing deadwood
Standing deadwood is a habitat niche which is utilised by specialised insects. In nature, standing dead trees would provide plentiful standing deadwood habitats for such species.
In modern times, our obsession with clearing dead trees has led to a significant decline in specialised, standing deadwood species. A great wildlife garden idea is to incorporate standing deadwood into your project.
Long tree trunks and branches can be set vertically into the ground. These can become pieces of ecological sculpture and be extremely, visually, effective and aesthetic.
7. Log piles
Log piles replicate dead wood habitats which would have once been common in historical landscapes.
Piles of dead wood become places of food and shelter for many associated and specialised species. These would include fungi, bacteria, invertebrates and many species of insects.
These decomposer species would contribute to the decomposition of deadwood into healthy topsoil. This directly facilitates healthy soil life which is the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem.
Deadwood can also be amassed to provide shelter for other larger organisms such as reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds.
8. Worm farms
Worm farming may not be the first thing you think when contemplating new wildlife garden ideas. However, wormeries are a great way to kick start a vibrant soil ecology.
By amassing organic kitchen waste in a worm farm, you are increasing the number of worms in your garden. Worms are very important for aerating the soil and improving the soil's structure.
This lays the foundation for more soil organisms and ecosystems to thrive. A wildlife garden with abundant soil ecology will always reach its maximum potential for wildlife.
The more thriving organisms which exist at the base of the food web the more food there will be for species higher up.
Worm farming may not be the first thing you think when contemplating new wildlife garden ideas. However, wormeries are a great way to kick start a vibrant soil ecology.
By amassing organic kitchen waste in a worm farm, you are increasing the number of worms in your garden. Worms are very important for aerating the soil and improving the soil's structure.
This lays the foundation for more soil organisms and ecosystems to thrive. A wildlife garden with abundant soil ecology will always reach its maximum potential for wildlife.
The more thriving organisms which exist at the base of the food web the more food there will be for species higher up.
9. Wildlife hedge
Wildlife hedges are a great idea for any wildlife garden. This is especially so for gardens with plain boundaries such as brick walls and fences.
Garden wildlife hedges do not necessarily need to be huge hedgerows with large native species. They can be a mass planting of smaller garden shrubs beneficial to wildlife.
The dense vegetation of wildlife hedges provides a great lattice of foliage which acts as great shelter for wildlife. You can also include shrub species which provide flowers rich in pollen and nectar as well as edible fruits!
For more information on how to create wildlife hedge read our article on the subject here.
10. Raised bird baths
Water is essential for wild birds living in and around your wildlife garden. Not only is water important for them to drink but also to bathe.
Bathing helps keep bird's feathers in top condition by removing particles of dust and dirt. However, bathing at ponds leaves birds vulnerable to ambush predators, especially cats.
Consequently, it is a good idea to provide a bird bath which is high up off the ground. There are many raised bird baths on the market including some which can be mounted high up on walls.
11. Eco drainage
Eco drainage encompasses a range of sustainable strategies to harvest, recycle and reduce accelerated storm run-off.
Water is often funnelled through and retained by natural wetlands or retention ponds. This helps to clean polluted water naturally and reduce flash flooding locally.
Eco drainage allows water to be slowly reabsorbed by the soil instead of channelling it to drainage networks. The creation of such wetland habitats can be very beneficial to wildlife gardens.
12. Wildlife ponds
Wildlife ponds are one of the best installations for a wildlife garden. The fresh water allows numerous species of wildlife to drink, bathe and breed.
Many species of insect actually need standing fresh water to complete their lifecycles. Many specialised creatures such as frogs and newts thrive in and around wildlife ponds.
During spring they will mate and lay their eggs within vegetated shallows. Every wildlife garden should have a pond!
Even if you can only install a small one it will go a long way to boosting local ecology.
13. Raised decks
Raised decks can be an effective way to provide some separation between people and wildlife. This is sometimes a necessary strategy to help wild species feel more secure.
Raised decks can provide great viewing platforms over wild habitats. They can be designed to hover out over wildlife ponds to provide unique wildlife encounters.
Raised decks also provide safe and sheltered areas under seating areas for numerous creatures to hibernate.
14. Wild meadows
Historically wild meadows were grown, cut and harvested to provide hay for the winter. This would be dry stored in outbuildings and feed to farm animals during the winter.
However, with the development of modern agriculture these practices become redundant. This led to a dramatic population decline in wildlife flowers and the species which relied upon them.
Wildflower meadows are a fantastic idea for a wildlife garden. Their blooms provide pollen and nectar will their vegetation offer shelter for invertebrates, insects, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.
Historically wild meadows were grown, cut and harvested to provide hay for the winter. This would be dry stored in outbuildings and feed to farm animals during the winter.
However, with the development of modern agriculture these practices become redundant. This led to a dramatic population decline in wildlife flowers and the species which relied upon them.
Wildflower meadows are a fantastic idea for a wildlife garden. Their blooms provide pollen and nectar will their vegetation offer shelter for invertebrates, insects, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.
15. Fruit trees
Many assume fruit trees only benefit people in the garden. However, fruit trees also have many great advantages within the wildlife garden.
Fruit trees flower early in the later winter and spring. This is to benefit from a long summer season so fruits can grow and ripen.
This early source of nectar and pollen is a vital source of food for insects emerging from hibernation. This is especially so for bees who desperately need to feed after a long winter.
Many assume fruit trees only benefit people in the garden. However, fruit trees also have many great advantages within the wildlife garden.
Fruit trees flower early in the later winter and spring. This is to benefit from a long summer season so fruits can grow and ripen.
This early source of nectar and pollen is a vital source of food for insects emerging from hibernation. This is especially so for bees who desperately need to feed after a long winter.
16. Wildlife only areas
Even though wildlife gardens should be good for people and wildlife it is important to develop 'wildlife only areas'. Most wildlife has an instinctive fear of people and for a good reason.
Our noisy garden machines smash through vegetation killing anything in their path. Therefore, it is always a good idea to have some places where people do not go.
This could be a small, overgrown corner of the garden or a gated pond area. These wild sanctuaries are also good places to focus wildlife watching dens upon.
17. Dry stone walls
Dry stone walls can not only look very attractive they are also very rich habitat for wildlife gardens.
Stonework can heat up in the morning sun providing warm microclimates which are favoured by many insects. Butterflies love to bask in the early morning sun warming up their bodies for flight.
Small reptiles like the common lizard use these sites to raise their body temperatures after cool nights. The multiple cracks and crevices of dry-stone walls provide effective shelter for smaller creatures.
You can even custom design your wall with small burrows and hollows for creatures to nest.
18. Bat boxes
Unfortunately, bats have seen dramatic declines in their populations across much of the developed world.
A common reason for this is a dramatic reduction in the species they feed upon. This is mainly due to habitat loss and the agricultural use of insecticides.
However, one of the challenges facing bats is a lack of suitable roosting sites. Bat boxes are a great way to mitigate the loss of naturally occurring roosting sites.
The combination of bat boxes and rich habitats will make your wildlife garden a haven for endangered bat species.
19. Insect hotels
Insects are one of the largest wildlife and species categories in the world. There are literally billions of these small creatures which have colonised every continent of the planet.
However, just because there are billions it does not mean they do not need help. Many species of insects can be very specialised.
This means they may rely on a specific type of plant, soil type or habitat. With a dramatic reduction in wild habitats over the past century many insect numbers are falling. Insect hotels can provide plenty of safe places for insects to seek shelter and hibernate.
This makes them an effective wildlife garden idea! There are plenty of great looking designs on the market or, if you feel creative, you can build your own!
20. Solitary bee hives
Another great wildlife garden idea is asolitary beehive. These hives typically take the form of a timber nesting box with a series of tubular like holes.
Many of our most important pollinating bees are not a part of large colonies but solitary. These solitary bees' nest, hibernate and lay eggs in narrow holes where they can remain safe and secure.
Some create a series of chambers containing a single egg with enough food for when they hatch.
You can keep inspecting your solitary bee hotel to see if a mother bee has sealed of the openings with leaves or mud. We have linked to a good example of an effective solitary beehive here.
Another great wildlife garden idea is asolitary beehive. These hives typically take the form of a timber nesting box with a series of tubular like holes.
Many of our most important pollinating bees are not a part of large colonies but solitary. These solitary bees' nest, hibernate and lay eggs in narrow holes where they can remain safe and secure.
Some create a series of chambers containing a single egg with enough food for when they hatch.
You can keep inspecting your solitary bee hotel to see if a mother bee has sealed of the openings with leaves or mud. We have linked to a good example of an effective solitary beehive here.
21. Create access
A major challenge for larger garden wildlife is having free access to roam around. Residential gardens are encased by sealed boundaries and fences which can act as an impenetrable boundary.
One of the ways you can mitigate this is by creating an access hole. This can be created in timber fences with a jig saw or a circular stone cutter for masonry.
Alternatively, you can excavate a miniature underpass for garden wildlife. Try to make you will cause no damage to your neighbour's boundary or garden.
Try to position your access route in a position which has adequate cover on both sides.
A major challenge for larger garden wildlife is having free access to roam around. Residential gardens are encased by sealed boundaries and fences which can act as an impenetrable boundary.
One of the ways you can mitigate this is by creating an access hole. This can be created in timber fences with a jig saw or a circular stone cutter for masonry.
Alternatively, you can excavate a miniature underpass for garden wildlife. Try to make you will cause no damage to your neighbour's boundary or garden.
Try to position your access route in a position which has adequate cover on both sides.
22. Green roofs
Green roofs are an effective way to boost the habitat potential of roofs or other flat surfaces. These can be installed to log stores, sheds, garages or other garden structures.
Many believe that green roofs are complicated set ups with specialist irrigation systems. However this could not be further than the truth.
The most basic green roofs are sedum roofs which have very shall build ups of free draining, soil, aggregates.
All you will need is a weed barrier, membrane, tray system, aggregate and the sedum itself. This can come as sedum mats or cuttings which are scattered across the surface.
Green roofs are an effective way to boost the habitat potential of roofs or other flat surfaces. These can be installed to log stores, sheds, garages or other garden structures.
Many believe that green roofs are complicated set ups with specialist irrigation systems. However this could not be further than the truth.
The most basic green roofs are sedum roofs which have very shall build ups of free draining, soil, aggregates.
All you will need is a weed barrier, membrane, tray system, aggregate and the sedum itself. This can come as sedum mats or cuttings which are scattered across the surface.
23. Grow climbers
Climbing plants are very beneficial for wildlife gardens, especially those which provide fruits and nectar.
Climbers allow you to cover otherwise bland and lifeless vertical boundaries with vegetation. This can help to regulate a gardens temperature and provide ample shelter for wildlife.
Climbing plants can also be grown over structures and even standing deadwood habitats. For a list of climbers that are great for wildlife visit ourbest plants for wildlife article here.
24. Build a compost heap
Compost heaps can not only help you to recycle organic waste they can also compliment wildlife gardens.
Allowing garden waste to break down naturally helps to feed microorganisms within the soil. This process helps to invigorate soil ecosystems and provides a rich diversity at the base of the food chain.
Consequently, gardens with vibrant soil ecology have more abundant wildlife species as a whole. Compost heaps also provide moist and warm places for numerous species to hibernate and seek shelter.
This is particularly so for reptiles and amphibians who are cold blooded. You can organise your compost heap with more entry points to encourage more nesting opportunities.
25. Start bee keeping
What better way to encourage more bees into your garden than by becoming a beekeeper.
Not only will you be helping to increase the number of pollinators you could produce your own, fresh honey. Becoming a beekeeper is a gradual process of learning and experience. It is advised to get involved with our local bee keeping group or association.
From there you will learn from experienced keepers and then obtain your first swarm. If you are interested in keeping your own bees it will be informative to obtain a book on the subject.
Bee keeping is one of the most productive and exciting wildlife garden ideas.
26. Grow edible plants
Choosing to grow edible plants can be an interesting but effective idea for wildlife gardens. Typically, if a plant is edible for us, it usually is also edible for wildlife.
There are plenty of examples of culinary plants which can also attract wildlife. The foliage and flowers of many kitchen herbs are a magnet for beneficial insects and pollinators.
Fruit trees provide both early flowers and autumn fruit for numerous wild species. There are also a whole range of other, less well-known edible plants great for wildlife gardens.
For a full list of examples visit our article on how to create an edible garden here.
27. Hammocks
Hammocks may not be the first idea that comes to mind for a wildlife garden. However, the importance of sitting back and enjoying your project cannot be underestimated.
The longer you relax comfortably in your garden the more wildlife you will encounter and enjoy.
By spending time lounging around in your garden the more local wildlife will get used to your presence. Hammocks can provide the most comfortable way to relax within nature.
Sit back, read a book, or just close your eyes and saturate your soul in the sounds of nature!
28. Provide nesting materials
During the early spring many wildlife species, especially birds are searching for soft and warm nesting materials.
These cannot always be found readily available within the landscape. By providing nesting materials within your wildlife garden, it can great help wildlife to build nests.
One thing you can do is grow plants that provide natural nesting materials. These can be fluffy seeds or thin and hay like stems and foliage.
These can include ornamental grasses, Cottonwood trees, Wild Clematis, Birch, Pampas grass, Cardoons, ferns and mosses. Alternatively, you can provide natural fibres such as cotton, wool, hair and hemp.
Many retailers now sell natural nesting materials such as Alpaca wool in a hanging cage.
During the early spring many wildlife species, especially birds are searching for soft and warm nesting materials.
These cannot always be found readily available within the landscape. By providing nesting materials within your wildlife garden, it can great help wildlife to build nests.
One thing you can do is grow plants that provide natural nesting materials. These can be fluffy seeds or thin and hay like stems and foliage.
These can include ornamental grasses, Cottonwood trees, Wild Clematis, Birch, Pampas grass, Cardoons, ferns and mosses. Alternatively, you can provide natural fibres such as cotton, wool, hair and hemp.
Many retailers now sell natural nesting materials such as Alpaca wool in a hanging cage.
29. Herb gardens
Herb gardens are a great idea if you love to connect the garden to the kitchen. Fresh herbs are fantastic for all manners of cooking activities and even making your own herbal teas.
However, herb gardens can also be a great idea for wildlife gardens. Many beneficial species of insects including ladybirds, hoverflies, parasitic wasps and solitary bees are attracted to herbs.
This is especially so with the flowers of, Mint, Oregano, Fennel, Thyme, Dill, Sage and Parsley.
Herb gardens can also form a dense groundcover of vegetation which provides ample shelter for multiple wildlife species.
30. Create suntraps
Garden wildlife is not too different from us and prefers warm, sunny, conditions than cold. Many species like to bask in the early morning sun to warm up after a cold night.
A great wildlife garden idea is to create suntraps by manipulating microclimate. This can be achieved by modifying areas which receive sun to warm up.
Perhaps you could build a dry-stone wall with light coloured stone with plenty of cracks and crevices.
Not only will the light colours reflect sunlight the masonry will warm up and release warmth slowly. Gravel paths and surfaces are another material which can help boost microclimate.
31. Grow wildflowers
Wildflowers are wild plants which are found in a natural habitat type or region. Very often, a specific species will be specialised to a particular soil type or niche.
This means it is very likely specialised, wildlife, species will be attracted to them. Wildflowers are one of the main indicators of a diverse and vibrant habitat.
Find out what wildflowers are native to your specific region and conditions. There are now many wildflower seed suppliers online with specialised seed mixes for various conditions.
32. Man made burrows
An interesting way to give your wildlife garden a boost is to build man made burrows. These simple installations involve building safe places for wildlife to hibernate and raise young.
How you build your burrow will depend on what species you are trying to encourage. Find out what the maximum size of the species is to provide an appropriately sized entrance hole.
If you want to encourage common lizards perhaps create a sandy hollow built into a dry-stone wall.
For hedgehogs you could build a nesting box out of bricks submerged under a small meadow mound.
Our wildlife garden services
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in wildlife garden design and construction.
Acting as the domestic landscaping part of Ecospaces we have over 20 years' experience in ecological landscaping and sustainable construction.
If you are interested in our wildlife garden services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our wildlife garden services include:
- Wildlife garden design
- Wildlife garden maintenance
- Nature reserve design
- Habitat creation
- Native woodland design
- Native planting design
- Ecological planting plans
- Sustainable landscaping
- Planning for biodiversity
- Ecological masterplannng
- Hard landscaping
- Soft landscaping
- Wildlife garden consultancy
Thank you for reading our article on 32 exciting wildlife garden ideas! Why don’t you help us spread the message about wildlife gardening by sharing this post? Below we have also included some of our other wildlife garden articles you may find useful.
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'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
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The
Author
Paul Nicolaides
BA (Hons) Dip
Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening.