Wildlife friendly gardening

1. Water is essential for all creatures. Even a simple bird bath is a top attraction, but a pond is best of all. It will attract frogs, toads, perhaps newts, and a host of fascinating insects. Birds come to bathe and drink too. Find out more.
   
2. Grow nectar-rich flowers (native and non-native) to feed butterflies, moths, bees and other insects. Find out more on our Borders with year round appeal pages.
   
3. Hedges link other habitats together and provide vital shelter and nest sites. Many hedge plants give food for birds and mammals too. Find out more.
   
4. Feed birds, all year round but especially in winter. Plant berry-bearing trees and shrubs for natural food, and make a feeding station with a range of foods to attract different birds. Find out more.
   
5. Clothe vertical surfaces with climbing plants. Select those such as honeysuckle, ivy and clematis which provide food for moths and butterflies as well as nest sites for birds. If you have more space also try our Trees for small gardens pages for more ideas.
   
6. Colourful containers can be filled with nectar and pollen-rich flowers for blooms through the seasons. Find out more on our small space gardening pages.
   
7. Make homes for wildlife. With habitats dwindling fast, creatures need all the help you can give. Put up boxes for bats as well as birds, install a hedgehog home, and make insect hotels. Find out more.
   
8. Make your lawn come alive with wildlife. Let some corners grow long or even spread wild flower seeds to make a meadow! Find out more on our Living lawns pages.
   
9. Go chemical-free. Many pest, disease and weed-killers are indiscriminate, killing friend and foe alike. Bugs are food for other creatures, and given a chance the good guys will keep on top of the pests, saving you the hassle and expense. Find out more on our Grow your own pages
   
10. Recycle garden waste to benefit your plants, garden wildlife - and your wallet. Compost containers make cosy habitats for all sorts of insects and amphibians. Find out more.
    

More information

For wildlife gardening tips all year round visit our blog . There is a host of other wildlife gardening tips on the Big Wildlife Garden website.