Tips for increasing biodiversity in your garden
Increasing biodiversity is not just about more flowers, it also includes creating more habitats, reducing water loss and reducing use of pesticides.
First, some cheap or zero cost options:
Allow part of the lawn to grow long. you can mow paths through if you desire. Less effort, more wild flowers and insects – zero cost.
Creating a log or dead wood pile from fallen or untreated wood.
Making a compost heap using garden and food waste. Unless using specific systems avoid meat and cooked food.
Look for a cheap or free compost bin on Facebook Marketplace and similar, buy from garden centres, or build one from pallet wood.
Leave fallen leaves in a corner without disturbance.
Reduce use of pesticides and weedkillers.
Install a bird box, bat box or bee hotel (for solitary bees). They each have different recommendations for the best locations so read up before you do.
Add a shallow bird & wildlife water dish
Plant a range of plants that flower at different times of year
Wait until spring before cutting back perennial stems rather than in the winter.
A few bigger project ideas.
Consider a wildlife pond or small pond – although consider safety for pets or small children.
Plant a mixed native hedge. – On many recent occasions, Bedford Borough council or the Woodland Trust run free or cheap tree days so keep an eye out.
Plant a small native fruiting tree (such as; hawthorn, crab apple, rowan) can provide food for many species.
Increase the density of planting in flower beds. Can reduce water loss, help suppress weeds and increase plant diversity.
Sites such as the Royal Horticultural Society give more information on Biodiversity and how you can help