How to create a space for nature
There is a lot of guidance available online and in books to help you create the nature space you want. Rather than rewrite them, we have provided links and downloads to some of these useful guides written by expert organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts and Woodland Trust.
Ponds
- Mini ponds: How-to-make-a-mini-wildlife-pond-scaled.jpg (2560×1810) (note you do not have to sink the container into the ground – a free standing container will also work)
- Bigger ponds: How-to-make-a-wildlife-pond.png (1007×711)
TREES
- Plant a tree: choose the right tree for the right place – Tree Planting Advice – Plant Trees – Woodland Trust
- Plant a hedge: Plant a hedge for wildlife
- Create a woodland edge garden: How to make a woodland edge garden for wildlife | The Wildlife Trusts
WILDFLOWER MEADOWS
Create an area of wildflowers either by leaving an area to nature to take care of or by sowing your own mini meadow from scratch: How to grow a wild patch or mini meadow | The Wildlife Trusts
POLLINATOR PATCHES
From a small window box or plant pot to a larger flower bed, there are lots of easy to grow pollinator friendly plants you can use to provide nectar and food for our winged friends. The labels on plants in the garden centres should indicate whether they are pollinator friendly and what conditions the plant likes. But here are some guides to get you started:
- General plants for pollinators: RHS Plants for Pollinators / RHS
- Plants for pots: Top 10 patio plants for bees / RHS Gardening
- Shade tolerant plants: Shade / RHS Gardening
For lower cost options, you can grow from seed, contact your local community garden, or have a look in the sale section of the garden centre (poorly looking plants often recover with a little TLC).
WILDLIFE HOMES
- Hedgehog house: How-to-make-a-hedgehog-house.png (1012×701) and learn more about helping hedgehogs here: Hedgehog Homes
- Hidey holes for little creatures: How-to-build-hidey-holes.png (1012×708)
- Beetle bank: How-to-make-a-beetle-bank.jpg (447×316)
- Small bug hotels: How-to-make-insect-hotels-min-1-1024×757.jpg (1024×757)
- Bug hotels and log piles: How to Build a Bug Hotel – Woodland Trust
- Bird house: How to Build a nestbox: DIY nestbox Plans
- Build a bumblebee nest
