Making the environment more hospitable for amphibians, bats, birds, bees and butterflies will do much for aiding the growth of wildlife in your garden. As a garden designer you can really use the wildlife we have in the Sussex area to help bring your designs to life, and keep them healthy and flourishing in as natural a way as possible.
Encouraging Amphibians
Toads and frogs both need a pond in which to mate, grow eggs and hatch tadpoles. Those gardening in Sussex may wish to create a pond in the garden in order to attract amphibians. Be aware though, birds feed on these animals, so it is a good idea to grow some plants at the edges of the pond in order to provide shelter for the frogs and toads. If your pond does not have any shallow areas, ensure you place some half-submerged logs or rocks in the pond so that amphibians have somewhere to breathe and rest, out of the water.
Encouraging Bats
Generally, bats eat insects such as mosquitoes, lacewings, flies and beetles. Ponds and compost heaps will both generate the insects bats like to eat, and the garden designer Brighton knows to grow pale coloured flowers which can be seen by nocturnal insects. In order to encourage bats in your garden, purchase a bat box from a garden centre and place it in a warm, quiet place. Some bats prey on waterborne animals, so the presence of a pond in your garden may also help attract these creatures.
Encouraging Bees
Bees need flowers, so if you're gardening in Sussex then plant lots of flowers which offer pollen and nectar during the winter months. Place pollinating flowers in sunny areas in your garden, as bees prefer this to the shade. In order to facilitate pollination, try to use pesticides as little as possible and avoid spraying flowers when they are open. Providing solitary bees with nest sites is also helpful. In order to do so, drill holes between 2-8mm in diameter in logs or fence posts and place in a sunny spot.
Encouraging Birds
Providing birds with food and water during the winter is a particularly helpful action to take. In the winter, supply food which has a high fat content. Bird cakes, for instance, can be made from lard, nuts and cheese. The Sussex gardener knows that feeding birds at regular intervals will encourage birds to visit your garden. Wire mesh feeders are suitable for peanuts, whilst other seeds can be placed in seed feeders. Use a shallow container to provide up to 2 inches of water and remember to take the ice off the surface in winter.
Encouraging Butterflies
Adult butterflies will feed on the nectar they find on garden or wild flowers, hence if you are a garden designer Sussex the most effective way to encourage butterflies is to grow flowers from March to October. The painted lady and red admiral butterflies like to eat the fruit juices from fallen plums, apples and pears, so leave fallen fruit where it lies in late summer. Providing appropriate plants for caterpillars will raise the numbers of butterflies which populate your garden even further.
By following these tips, you should soon see an increase in the amount of wildlife in your garden, and see the benefits as they help your garden design really flourish.
Encouraging Amphibians
Toads and frogs both need a pond in which to mate, grow eggs and hatch tadpoles. Those gardening in Sussex may wish to create a pond in the garden in order to attract amphibians. Be aware though, birds feed on these animals, so it is a good idea to grow some plants at the edges of the pond in order to provide shelter for the frogs and toads. If your pond does not have any shallow areas, ensure you place some half-submerged logs or rocks in the pond so that amphibians have somewhere to breathe and rest, out of the water.
Encouraging Bats
Generally, bats eat insects such as mosquitoes, lacewings, flies and beetles. Ponds and compost heaps will both generate the insects bats like to eat, and the garden designer Brighton knows to grow pale coloured flowers which can be seen by nocturnal insects. In order to encourage bats in your garden, purchase a bat box from a garden centre and place it in a warm, quiet place. Some bats prey on waterborne animals, so the presence of a pond in your garden may also help attract these creatures.
Encouraging Bees
Bees need flowers, so if you're gardening in Sussex then plant lots of flowers which offer pollen and nectar during the winter months. Place pollinating flowers in sunny areas in your garden, as bees prefer this to the shade. In order to facilitate pollination, try to use pesticides as little as possible and avoid spraying flowers when they are open. Providing solitary bees with nest sites is also helpful. In order to do so, drill holes between 2-8mm in diameter in logs or fence posts and place in a sunny spot.
Encouraging Birds
Providing birds with food and water during the winter is a particularly helpful action to take. In the winter, supply food which has a high fat content. Bird cakes, for instance, can be made from lard, nuts and cheese. The Sussex gardener knows that feeding birds at regular intervals will encourage birds to visit your garden. Wire mesh feeders are suitable for peanuts, whilst other seeds can be placed in seed feeders. Use a shallow container to provide up to 2 inches of water and remember to take the ice off the surface in winter.
Encouraging Butterflies
Adult butterflies will feed on the nectar they find on garden or wild flowers, hence if you are a garden designer Sussex the most effective way to encourage butterflies is to grow flowers from March to October. The painted lady and red admiral butterflies like to eat the fruit juices from fallen plums, apples and pears, so leave fallen fruit where it lies in late summer. Providing appropriate plants for caterpillars will raise the numbers of butterflies which populate your garden even further.
By following these tips, you should soon see an increase in the amount of wildlife in your garden, and see the benefits as they help your garden design really flourish.
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