Early Bumblebee ©Jon Hawkins/Surrey Hills Photography
Wilder Gardening
Be part of Team Wilder, bringing about the change nature needs together.
Nurturing nature
As the air cools and nights lengthen, gardens can provide vital support for a host of animals.
You may have noticed that this autumn's berry crop is early, a result of the exceptionally dry summer, and there is a good chance that these natural food sources won't last as long into the winter as usual. This might cause problems for the bird species for which berries are an important component of their autumn and winter diet. Some of these birds will make use of garden feeding stations, reminding us of the role these can play when other foods are in short supply. - BTO
Left on the plant, many seed heads will support wildlife through winter. Herbaceous seed heads provide snacks and perches for small birds, such as sparrows and tits. Want more goldfinches in your garden? Try attracting them with teasel seed heads. Their thin beaks are perfect for tweezering the tiny seeds from between the spikes.
Another top tip is to not cut mature ivy back, where possible, as the flowers provide a fantastic source of nectar and pollen for late-flying insects. The berries will provide food for birds, while the leaves offer roosting and hibernation shelter for many species, including the brimstone butterfly.
Photo: Penny Dixie
Garden projects, big and small
We have a whole range of fantastic gardening project ideas for you to get stuck into - both big and small.
Image: Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Small tortoiseshell (Aglaise urtica) feeding on garden flowers, UK
How wildlife friendly is your garden?
Wildlife Gardening Awards: In order to gain your award plaque, you need to demonstrate you are making an effort to welcome wildlife in different ways.
Image: Vaughn Matthews
Wilder Open Gardens
No matter what size of outdoor space, from tiny gardens and window boxes to large estates and everything in between, take part our wilder alternative to a coffee morning fundraiser, whilst spreading the word about gardening for wildlife.
Resources
Thank you for gardening for wildlife, every positive action you take makes a big difference. With your help, we can put nature into recovery, create more space for wildlife to thrive, and reduce the pressure on the environment. This has to be a joint effort. We all have different skills, knowledge, and experience to offer. And we’ve got resources and advice to help get you started...
Team Wilder
Celebrate wildlife gardening and use your garden to take action to help support nature. Many of our common garden visitors – including hedgehogs, house sparrows and starlings – are increasingly under threat. But together we can make a difference. Find out how our green spaces can provide for wildlife.
Wilder Allotment Awards: Although allotments are mainly used for growing food, by adding in wildlife friendly plants you can create a mini-ecosystem that’s good for you and good for wildlife. Demonstrate you are making an effort to welcome wildlife in different ways and practicing environmentally friendly actions and apply for your plaque today!
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