wiga:wildlife_gardening

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wiga:wildlife_gardening [2026/03/11 14:18] – [Related topics] Simon Grantwiga:wildlife_gardening [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Wildlife gardening+This topic is part of [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]] and [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. 
 +====== Wildlife gardening ======
  
  
-![](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wildlife_gardening.jpg)+![](wiki:wildlife_gardening.jpg)
  
 --- ---
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-## What is wildlife gardening?+===== What is wildlife gardening? =====
  
 We should clear something up straight away - gardening for wildlife is not the same as letting your garden go wild! Wildlife gardening is about keeping wildlife always in mind, and using any space you have to create habitat and grow plants that benefit and encourage it. Your garden will still need tending and maintaining, just in a different way. It doesn't have to mean completely redesigning what you already have in an all-or-nothing approach. We should clear something up straight away - gardening for wildlife is not the same as letting your garden go wild! Wildlife gardening is about keeping wildlife always in mind, and using any space you have to create habitat and grow plants that benefit and encourage it. Your garden will still need tending and maintaining, just in a different way. It doesn't have to mean completely redesigning what you already have in an all-or-nothing approach.
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-## What are the benefits of wildlife gardening?+===== What are the benefits of wildlife gardening? =====
  
 Wildlife gardens are beautiful and infinitely fascinating, providing interest all year round. There's lots of evidence to show humans need a [connection to nature](/ntaw/nature_awareness) and the seasons for a true sense of well-being, so having wildlife in mind and in sight enhances quality of life. And having nature close at hand for children is invaluable education; all kids seem fascinated with wildlife, especially getting their hands in the soil and looking at creepy crawlies. Wildlife gardens are beautiful and infinitely fascinating, providing interest all year round. There's lots of evidence to show humans need a [connection to nature](/ntaw/nature_awareness) and the seasons for a true sense of well-being, so having wildlife in mind and in sight enhances quality of life. And having nature close at hand for children is invaluable education; all kids seem fascinated with wildlife, especially getting their hands in the soil and looking at creepy crawlies.
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 Pollinators are key to the reproduction of some plants, and a bountiful harvest in others. Encouraging pollinators (bees, butterflies, hoverflies etc.) pays great dividends to your own garden, especially if you're growing food. Hoverflies and ladybirds are especially good at eating aphids, again a great benefit for food growers who often otherwise suffer from pests like blackfly. Pollinators are key to the reproduction of some plants, and a bountiful harvest in others. Encouraging pollinators (bees, butterflies, hoverflies etc.) pays great dividends to your own garden, especially if you're growing food. Hoverflies and ladybirds are especially good at eating aphids, again a great benefit for food growers who often otherwise suffer from pests like blackfly.
  
-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 Rule number one – **do not use pesticides or herbicides**. Insects have a vital place in the ecological web; killing them indiscriminately breaks the chain and deprives other animals of food. Rule number one – **do not use pesticides or herbicides**. Insects have a vital place in the ecological web; killing them indiscriminately breaks the chain and deprives other animals of food.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/gardening). 
 + 
 +It is also in the section [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]] (Forum: [Bushcraft & Nature](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/bushcraft)). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Habitat Aid](https://www.habitataid.co.uk/) - trees, plants, seeds, blog, consultancy - [Habitat Aid](https://www.habitataid.co.uk/) - trees, plants, seeds, blog, consultancy
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-## Related topics+===== Related topics =====
  
 - [[urbs:small-space_gardening|Urban / small-space gardening]] - [[urbs:small-space_gardening|Urban / small-space gardening]]
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-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  • wiga/wildlife_gardening.1773238690.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/03/11 14:18
  • by Simon Grant