Bees and other pollinating insects rely on gardens for a large share of their food, especially in built-up areas where wildflower meadows are scarce. A garden that offers flowers from early spring right through to autumn does far more for pollinators than one with a single showy burst of colour in June.
A garden pond, even a small one, is one of the most valuable additions for wildlife. Frogs and newts use it to breed, dragonflies and damselflies lay eggs in it, and birds and hedgehogs will drink and bathe at the edges given the chance.
For gardens without much bare soil to spare, a ready-made shelter is a simple addition. Many gardeners start with bee hotels positioned in a sheltered, sunny spot close to nectar-rich planting.
Hedgehogs typically hibernate through the coldest months, often in piles of leaves, log stacks, or
https://www.gardenwildlife.com purpose-built shelters tucked into a quiet corner. Anything resembling a bonfire pile should always be checked carefully before lighting, since it can look like an ideal hibernation spot to a hedgehog settling in for winter.
Hedgehogs are one of the most recognisable mammals to visit British gardens after dark, often covering a surprising distance, sometimes a mile or more, over a single night as they forage. A garden that offers a route in, something to eat and somewhere quiet to rest is far more likely to see repeat visits than one that is sealed off and tidied within an inch of its life.
Building a planting scheme with wildlife in mind alongside the usual food and shelter provisions rounds out the picture. A well-stocked feeding station, including a reliable source of bumblebee food, complements planting choices particularly well during gaps in flowering.
