Norwich has an impressive array of green spaces providing a home for nature, from Mousehold Heath to Bowthorpe Marshes, we’re lucky to live in such a green city.
However, a surprising proportion of the city is taken up by residential gardens. If we are to create a city where nature can recover and thrive, it’s vital that Norwich’s gardens – no matter how small – provide space for biodiversity. Even if you have smaller garden, there is still lots that you can do to help wildlife.
Here are some idea (but make sure that you have permission first!)…
1. Plant a tree
Planting a tree in your garden is one of the easiest steps you can take, providing food and shelter for nature as well as sucking in carbon emissions. Hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, and crab apple are all examples of suitable species. Avoid planting too close to prevent any damage.
2. Let it grow
Mowing your grass less frequently is one of the easiest things you can do for nature, whilst saving you time and money. Patches of longer grass allow a range of different plant species to grow, which in turn provides food and shelter for an array of inspects and birds.
3. Provide water
Consider creating a pond in your garden; even a small tub with a few aquatic plants can make a great habitat for frogs and dragonflies, as well as benefiting many species of insect, bird, and mammal.
4. Feed the bees
Plant more pollinator-friendly species to support bees and butterflies. Variety is the most important thing here, but great examples include lavender, thyme, comfrey, foxglove, or giant hyssop.
5. Help a hedgehog
The average hedgehog travels 2 kilometres a night looking for food; a 13cm x 13cm hole in the bottom of your fence will help them on their way.
6. Make a home
Creating a log pile in your garden provides a perfect hiding place for insects that rely on dead wood. Look out for woodlice and beetle grubs!
7. Avoid nasty chemicals
Using chemicals to control weeds and pests can often kill the animals that eat them, or at least reduce the amount of food available. Avoid these to make your garden more attractive to wildlife.
8. Keep it natural
Avoid hard landscaping or artificial grass in your garden. Not only do these reduce the amount of rain that your garden can soak up, potentially increasing flooding, but they also reduce the amount of food available for bees, birds and hedgehogs.
9. Compost
Create a compost bin to dispose of your garden and kitchen waste; not only will this reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, but the compost bin itself provides great food and shelter for a whole host of important insects.
10. Go peat free
If you do need to buy compost for your garden, avoid anything containing peat. Harvesting peat releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide, and so buying peat free will reduce your emissions.
