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We move to a new house in the summer on a 1950's estate in York.
The garden is 22' X 18' and has a square lawn with narrow empty flower beds all round. Two sides has a beech hedge and the garage and shed are the third side.
Any suggestions for making it wildlife friendly?
Edity
try a wild life pond at the end of garden, leave a small bit of land next to it to over grow. do you have any where to hang feeders? if not getting a feeding station is a must, put it where you can see it from the house, and near to hedge if you can. see if you can fit in a log pile.
plant a tree if you can an apple tree in the middle is a good choice.
there is lots of help and hints on this site RSPB
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
good luck, don't forget to post some before and after photos
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
[Thanks, Janet for your reply. I have read through the RSPB help and hints - lots of help there. As it seems such a small garden am a bit concerned about tree size in a few years. I have 3 cordon apple trees in pots which I hope to plant in the garden. We have a bird table for feeders. Still unsure about a pond as in the past I don't seem to have been able to keep one tidy - perhaps that's good for wildlife!!!
I'll remember about the photos but the 'after' pics will not be for a long time.
Hello Edity. Going on my own experience, I would wait untill you are actually living in the house and get the 'feel' of it before trying to plan your garden layout.
Hello Edity,
I am in agreement with Brenda. You will change your mind several times once you are living there, and you need to know exactly where the sun is and which direction the prevailing winds come from, and what you can see from your windows.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hello Edity, your new garden sounds perfect for our Homes for Wildlife project. This has a range of suggestions suited to your garden from lawn management to nestboxes. There is more about this here HfW
Thanks to everyone - I shall keep looking at the HfW site but wait until I am there, as suggested, before making more plans.
Unknown said: Hello Edity, your new garden sounds for our Homes for Wildlife project. This has a range of suggestions suited to your garden from lawn management to nestboxes. There is more about this here HfW
Hello Edity, your new garden sounds for our Homes for Wildlife project. This has a range of suggestions suited to your garden from lawn management to nestboxes. There is more about this here HfW
On the subject of waiting before planning, I've been told to wait a year before setting anything in motion. That way you experience all the seasons, and can see what hidden gems you may have. i.e, bulbs, perennials etc. That would take incredible patience though.
I would say the single best thing for bringing in wildlife to our garden, was building a pond - marvellous. Does take a little bit of effort, but I think you get repaid quickly.
A great plant - teasels. In summer they attract bees and butterflies, in winter goldfinches. They look amazing as well.
Good luck.
An egret changed my life!
Ooh it sounds wonderful Edity! Look forward to hearing all about your progress! I rather wish my garden had been more of a blank canvas when I moved in.... I know I could start over but I do loathe killing/getting rid of plants for no reason...
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Still thinking about the garden. I was wondering if it would be possible to grow things in the established beech hedge - dog rose, honeysuckle etc. Anyone tried it?
Will definitely put teazels on my plant list. Thanks BillyWix.
Hi Edity,
Oh good luck with everything. I had a blank canvas when I moved in here and found a pond was a great asset for enticing wildlife. With additions of frog houses, a hedgie box, nest boxes etc the wildlife felt right at home! It will be great to see some pictures.