Since streets, neighbourhoods and green spaces have fallen quiet, you may have noticed a few new visitors in your garden. Perhaps you’ve had the time to notice the hedgehogs making their way through or you can hear the birds singing outside your window.

A great way to get that bit closer to nature and welcome more of the local wildlife is by turning

If you aren’t a fan of ivy, clematis and honeysuckle can also be excellent climbers for helping wildlife. They give an excellent source of nest-building materials and attract insects.

If you are planting flowers to benefit the wildlife in your garden, it’s a great idea to use peat-free compost. Peat-free compost is high in nutrients, will improve soil structure and more importantly, as the name suggests, doesn’t contain peat. Peatlands provide a unique habitat for bog-loving plants and animals too. Choosing peat-free compost will help you do your bit towards helping to save endangered peatlands that are the perfect home for different wildlife. Here at Sansums, we stock Sylvagrow peat-free multi-purpose compost. To order, contact us today at enquiries@sansums.co.uk.

Create a Pond

A pond can be a huge boost for wildlife and it doesn’t have to be huge! No matter what the size, a pond can create a habitat for a huge variety of animal life, including amphibians, invertebrates and bathing garden birds.

If you choose to create a bigger pond, it can be a good idea to include stones and decorative aggregates to help wildlife get in and out. Waterlillies will also help prevent the water in your pond becoming stagnant.

Build a Small Rock Garden

Stacking rocks, bricks and block paving can also be an excellent way to fill a quiet corner of your garden and provide a home for insects and small animals. Once built leave the structure alone and nature will slowly reclaim it and you’ll notice a wide diversity of species calling it their home.

Add a Water Feature

Adding a water feature along with a pond can be another excellent way to attract amphibians to your garden. What’s more, as water plants naturally establish themselves in your pond and water features, you’ll notice a boom of different species living in your garden, from frogs to newts. These creatures will also help keep the number of flies and other insects in your garden to a minimum, so you can enjoy your space.

Leave Bark in a Shady Area

Similar to a rock garden, bark can create an excellent habitat for different species of fungi and invertebrates, such as woodlice.

Plant Wildflowers

An important addition to any garden, wildflowers flower at the right time of year for insects. When flowered, they’ll be bursting with colour, creating an attractive feature whilst also creating those all-important feeding and nesting grounds for insects, birds and small animals.

Link Your Garden

If you really want to go the extra mile, why not make a 13cm by 13cm hole at ground level in your garden fence? This will allow hedgehogs and other animals to access your garden and make it their home.

Getting the Materials Your Wildlife-friendly Garden Needs

Creating a wildlife garden doesn’t have to be hard, nor does gathering all the materials you need. Here at Sansums Sand & Gravel, we sell high-quality products at affordable prices. So, for more information on the products we sell, be sure to get in touch either on 01793 536794 or at enquiries@sansums.co.uk.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to discuss the project at hand and what materials you will need to get it done properly.