For years Harrow and Hillingdon have been leafy boroughs of London with plentiful green spaces and sprawling private gardens. This has made the boroughs pleasant places to live as well as being a haven for wildlife. Many typical properties of the boroughs were blessed with generous gardens built after the war which were a novelty for occupants of inner city London. For decades gardens were awash with vegetable gardens with large flower beds as people embraced this horticultural opportunity. Today however with rising populations, excessive social media and busy work lives gardening are at the bottom of many people priorities.
Harrow & Hillingdon’s gardens have become ever more simplistic and modern with more paved surfaces and expansive lawns. Fewer flowerbeds have led to more flooding and educed wildlife numbers. In the last twenty years the numbers of insects, birds and small mammals have crashed in our urban gardens.
This has come at a time of extensive ecological destruction with a growing awareness of environmental issues. People are starting to realise the impacts of their every day actions and generally want to encourage wildlife back into their lives. This has led to a surge in interest in wildlife gardening and eco landscaping. This is why we have put together some landscaping suggestions to boost wildlife in your garden this coming season.
This has come at a time of extensive ecological destruction with a growing awareness of environmental issues. People are starting to realise the impacts of their every day actions and generally want to encourage wildlife back into their lives. This has led to a surge in interest in wildlife gardening and eco landscaping. This is why we have put together some landscaping suggestions to boost wildlife in your garden this coming season.
Benefits of wildlife in the garden
In the past many gardeners made a correlation between more wildlife meaning more pests. However in modern times it has become clear those beneficial insects such as solitary wasps, birds and amphibians actually reduce pest species. Pollination insects also help fruiting plants produce to their maximum potential. In addition to these benefits experiencing wildlife in the garden has been linked to improved mental health and well being.
Things you can do to encourage wildlife
Generally wildlife seeks three fundamental things; food water and shelter. This means the standard garden model of patio, lawn and minimalist theme is the worst possible scenario for all wildlife. Unfortunately this is a typical theme in the gardens of Harrow & Hillingdon in the modern world. The more diverse tree and plant species in a garden with multiple habitats the more wildlife will be encouraged. Wild meadows ecological planting and nooks and crannies can all help boost gardens wildlife potential.
Wildlife garden design
Not everyone has the desire to completely change their garden from a wildlife desert to a haven. There are however a growing number of people who want to go in full and create a wildlife garden completely from scratch. This can be done yourself or by employing a suitable landscape gardener. One of the best books to help you on this journey is ‘How to create a wildlife garden’ by John Barnes which is available on Amazon below. If you require wildlife garden design services the UK leader is a company called Ecospaces here.
Habitat boosters for tidy gardens
Habitat boosters are products which can help boost a wildlife garden usually by provided food or shelter we have left links to some of the best here below.
Solitary bee hives
Insect hotels
Bird boxes
Bat boxes
Hedgehog homes
Wildflower meadows
If you require landscape gardeners in the areas of Harrow & Hillingdon do not hesitate to contact us today!