Ulster Wildlife Trust. Guide to Gardening for Wildlife

Transcription

1 Ulster Wildlife Trust Guide to Gardening for Wildlife

2 The Basics The gardening world has changed greatly in the past century. New technologies, changing lifestyles and shifting cultures mean that gardens now serve more of an aesthetic and leisure function, whereas in the past gardens leaned towards a more functional and practical use. Where once a vegetable plot would have been tended, a sweep of lawn now calls our attention for mowing. Cottage-style garden plants have been replaced by shrubberies and low-maintenance flowerbeds. Gone are a couple of fruit trees or orchards, to be replaced by paving, decking or garages. These vegetable plots, cottage gardens and orchards provided a wealth of sustenance and opportunities for insects, butterflies and birds, largely free of chemicals and fertilisers. The manicured gardens of today are barren in comparison. However, there is a growing number of people wishing to return to more traditional gardening where benefits for wildlife, diet and sustainability are being met once again. The Ulster Wildlife Trust welcomes and encourages such an approach and we have produced this leaflet to guide you on your way! A garden for wildlife incorporating herbs, fruit trees and bushes, as well as an area for enjoying it all If you wish to manage or create a garden for wildlife, then the requirements of native wildlife must be met to attract them in and encourage them to stay. The diversity of species which visit and make a home in your garden will depend upon a number of factors such as; location of garden e.g. city or countryside, proximity to other wildlife areas, the size of your garden, the planting scheme present and the aspect. Understanding needs of particular species and the characteristics and limitations of your garden will help you be happy with what you achieve. Skills that you utilise in everyday life such as being a parent, running a home, managing people or meeting work deadlines will be brought into play when creating a garden friendly to wildlife. Planning, organising and forecasting are the all-important first steps in creating a wildlife haven. Once you do this, success will surely be yours!

3 Planning Following are some suggestions as to what to consider when assessing your garden for its wildlife value and potential: - survey your garden before you begin and draw a plan - note characteristics e.g. sunny and shaded areas, soil type - note features e.g. fences/walls/hedgerow boundaries, paths - do you have any wildlife already in the garden? - what level of wildness are you happy with? - what species do you hope to attract into your garden? - consider the character of your street, village, or locality - what gardens have you seen that inspire you? - what resources do you have to undertake the work i.e. time, budget? - how sustainable are your plans? The Local and the Global The garden is a great place for you to minimise your impact on natural resources and to play a part in conserving and enhancing the environment. Incorporating sustainable practices into your gardening habits should go handin-hand with, for example, erecting a bird box. Resources that you utilise in creating and sustaining your garden have an impact on wildlife. Impacts are felt globally as well as locally in the form of peat extraction, illegal logging etc. The 3R s of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle should come into play and can be applied in all manner of creative ways in the garden. For example, plant appropriately to limit input in terms of compost and water. Reuse bricks, old fencing etc for new features and recycle everything else at your local amenity recycling centre where green waste, bricks, timber, and metal have separate bins and are recycled. Consume less and the world will be a richer place in terms of resources and wildlife Get yourself a compost bin/worm bin/compost heap By composting your organic scraps from the kitchen, the cuttings from the lawn mowing or the autumn leaves, you cut down on what goes to landfill. Once well broken down, material from your compost bin can be used to supplement/feed your soil or pot-up plants. Leaf litter can be used as a mulch for trees, shrubs etc. A word of warning though, keep unwanted weeds such as dock and thistle out of your compost as they are hardy and will likely survive to colonise your next project! As a back-up, the green waste recycling bins at the recycling centre can handle these or any other green waste you can t handle.

4 For peats sake! Make the switch to peat-free compost and help conserve our bogs, which are harvested for the manufacture of compost as well as fuel. Raised bogs have taken thousands of years to develop and are home to many species of plant and wildlife as well as holding the key to our past environment in pollen, plant and invertebrate fossils. Request your local garden centre to stock a supply of peat-free compost if they don t do so already. There are many good alternatives on the market and if home-composting, you can save yourself money and help raised bogs by applying the fruits of your labour in the garden. Don t rubbish organic waste Organic waste is not rubbish and once decomposed, can be added to soil to improve texture and nutrient levels. Worm bins and compost heaps are two ways you can manage your organic kitchen scraps at home. Amenity recycling centres accept domestic green waste as well as gardening mowings, old plants, branches Compost reduces reliance on landfill sites and eases harvesting pressure on bogs. No butts! Install a water butt at home to harvest rain water from house and shed roofs, a healthier option for your plants than tap water. While we in Northern Ireland have not been threatened with water restrictions, it is best practice to conserve our natural resources in terms of underground aquifiers, springs etc which are facing ever-increasing pressure from commercial and domestic demands alike. Go organic A key element to gardening for wildlife is operating a no chemical zone policy. The use of chemicals, sprays, artificial fertilisers etc is a major contributing factor to the decline of species in our countryside and gardens. The very species that you may like to attract into your garden would find an environment managed through the application of chemicals inhospitable as weed and pest food sources are killed off! Additionally, by applying pesticides or artificial fertilisers to your garden, you are introducing a cocktail of chemicals which build-up harmful residues in the soil and food chain. Go native If you are serious about protecting local flora and fauna, then sourcing and planting local provenance native trees, shrubs and wildflowers is an excellent way to go. It has taken our flora and fauna thousands of years to develop the symbiotic relationship they now possess. Plants flower and fruit just when bees, butterflies and birds seem to need it but this is not just a happy coincidence. Plants and animals need each other for food and shelter and not least to ensure the continuation of the species! Flowers provide nectar for honeybees, insects pollinate plants which are then fertilised and can produce seed, birds eat and disperse seeds, seeds grow to become trees, trees provide dead wood, home for a myriad of invertebrates which the birds feed on

5 Grow your own Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden big enough to incorporate a vegetable plot. Saying that, there s nothing to stop you growing salads in flower pots or tomatoes in hanging baskets! Like tending your flowers, vegetables can also be grown without pesticides, if you can resign yourself to the loss of a few plants. By planting companion plants to your vegetables, you can lure pests such as aphids away from your crops. Orchards with their blossoms and fallen fruits are a wonderful source of food for wildlife. You can also help protect heritage varieties of fruit trees by growing ones cultivated generations ago by enthusiasts from your own county. If possible, growing your own fruit and vegetables is a great way to live sustainably, reducing your carbon footprint on the planet, thus helping our environment to retain its temperate oceanic climate! An alternative is to support local organic growers who in turn support our native flora and fauna through their sensitive growing methods. A city garden growing wildflowers, fruit and salad Sourcing materials If undertaking a project in your garden such as creating a feature, re-routing paths etc, try to reuse or consider where your materials will come from for this. Many hardwoods and stone are harvested and quarried to the detriment of rain forests and geological features. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label on wood products which ensures the product comes from sustainably managed forests. Talk to staff at your garden centre to ensure that the limestone you buy doesn t come from precious limestone pavement sites. Understand the seasonal calendar and the food chain The seasonal cycles dictate the activities and behaviour of wildlife. In the western world comforted from the reality of the elements, many of us are out of touch with the changing seasons. No such luck for wildlife. Observing these changes will help you to better understand the needs of wildlife and how you can play a part in replacing their diminishing natural habitats. Knowing when to trim a native hedgerow, put bird seed out or manage your wildflower area will really help wildlife. Just do it Volunteering, attending courses and reading are all a great means of learning. Do try out what you ve learned though. Working in your own garden allows you to make mistakes as well as enjoy the results! Don ts Use chemicals in the garden Mow and tidy all the garden Concentrate on just one minihabitat type Over-rely on exotic or imported species Forget to leave some room for yourself to relax and observe

6 Water for Life If your garden is large enough and suitable for a pond, then we would really encourage you to include one in your garden. The pond should have a natural, sloping edge which will be suitable for wet-loving plants. The pond will attract all types of creatures including invertebrates, dragonflies, amphibians and birds. There are other options if you just don t have the space or its not feasible for you to create a pond. An old sink or bathtub sunk into the ground or a barrel will suffice and offer drinking and bathing opportunities for birds and a home for mini-beasties. For information on creating a pond, please refer to our Guide to creation of a new wildlife pond. Pond logics Land A half-barrel lined with polythene makes a suitable home for wetloving plant species which can harbour many invertebrates. Trees Please improvement and drainage schemes have meant great losses in wet habitats Including a water feature will greatly add to diversity of the garden Take care not to introduce invasive aquatic plants Choose your site carefully eg open to the south and free from overhanging trees Maintain a verge around margins to allow safe passage for small creatures There have been many books and songs written and paintings inspired by trees. It s not difficult to see why! Trees come in many shapes, colours and sizes and appeal to our sense of beauty and strength. Trees, as well as shrubs, are fantastic opportunities for birdlife to perch, sing, eat, nest and rest. Buds, berries, seeds and fruits are a living larder Some trees for the garden for many species. Trees provide a residence for Bird cherry Crab apple much wildlife including insects, beetles and fungi. Fruit trees Hazelnuts and acorns provide an important food (heritage if possible) source for mammals including the red squirrel. Holly Rowan Decaying leaves and branches enrich the soil with the (all of the above grow to a help of earthworms and micro-bacteria, after beetles, maximum height of 20m) fungi and other creatures have had their say! The woodland habitat possesses a particular suite of flora and fauna, more spectacular if it is of an ancient type. While Northern Ireland possesses too few such precious sites, many farmers, communities and individuals are acting and establishing native woodlands or working to conserve local pockets of wood. In the garden if you can, then do plant a tree and enjoy the shade, shelter, colour and wildlife it brings. Our Guide to planting new woodlands will be particularly useful if you wish to plant a copse or shelter-belt for your home. Tips for planting trees Plant trees bare-rooted from November March as trees will establish better when dormant. Keep roots moist right up until planting! Prepare a hole large enough to accommodate roots, rotating tree until it sits comfortably and at the correct ground level. Stake and mulch trees in the first few years of growth. Monitor its progress, adjusting tree tie, re-mulchng and pruning if leader branch or side branches damaged by wind etc.

7 Wildflowers and Meadows A discussion on gardening for wildlife would not be complete without mentioning wildflowers--possibly the most evocative image of a wildlife garden. The sight of a wildflower meadow is reminiscent of days of sunny childhoods, when hay was still one of the main winter feeds for farm animals. Hay meadows provided for many, not just livestock but also ground nesting birds such the corncrake and mammals such as the Irish hare. Seed-feeding birds like the yellowhammer depend upon cereal crops of wheat and barley as a food source. Numerous species of bee, butterfly, moth and mammal make use of hay meadows and cereal crops to feed, propagate and hunt. The loss of this farming practice through mechanisation and intensification, has meant a corresponding loss in all the species of wildlife that had adapted over the millennia to this management. As this situation has worsened over the decades, the advocacy of managing traditional grassland and meadows has become stronger. There is now a wealth of information out there for an enthusiast interested in restoring or creating a wildflower meadow. If you wish to create a wildflower meadow, you need to first assess what you have already. Leave a section of your lawn area unmown for a season and observe what comes up. It may be that you have a perfectly good wildflower meadow just waiting in the wings. If what grows is more dock and dandelion than bluebell and bugle, then you will need to consider removing the top layer of soil and resowing with native wildflower seed. Alternatively, spot remove the dock and plant plugs of wildflowers instead. Cut the meadow in late summer, leaving the thatch a couple of days for seed and mini-beasties to escape, and then remove. This ensures that soil fertility is kept low which makes life tougher for hardy weed species which out-compete wildflowers. For further information on this topic please refer to the Ulster Wildlife Trust s Guide to the creation of wildflower meadows. Wildflower check list For springtime & shade: Bluebell Dog violet Foxglove Primrose For meadows: Birds-foot-trefoil Common knapweed Field scabious Red campion Ox-eye daisy For wet ground: Cuckoo flower Marsh marigold Purple loosestrife Ragged robin Water mint Garden borders: Wildflowers can be used on their own or mixed with other plants for colour and diversity in borders. Verges: When mowing the lawn, leave a grassy verge along the boundary for grasses and wildflowers. Verges are an important transition zone to hedges for wildlife. Fine grasses and wildflowers are attractive and a pleasing backdrop to mown lawns. Ingredients for a wildflower meadow: Spade, rake, wheelbarrow, watering can, wildflower seed, determination and patience.

8 For the Birds! You can attract birdlife into your garden by many means but most importantly, by providing the right conditions where they can shelter, feed and nest. Hedgerows: Native species of trees and hedgerow plants are great providers for our birdlife. Including a native hedgerow in your garden will greatly enhance the birdlife that visits it. Species such as hawthorn, blackthorn and holly are ideal for many species including tits and finches. Their fruit of haws, sloes and holly berries are important autumn food reserves. Once your Do s Install bird feeders/table and protect from cats Be consistent with feeding Provide water Create wildflower meadow Plant native trees/hedgerow Learn about the birds that visit your garden Attend an event/course on birds/plants/composting Use your spending power to buy products which are not harmful to the environment Support a branch of a local conservation organisation! hedgerow has matured, you can introduce honeysuckle and dog rose, both native shrubs found in hedgerows and again, great for insects and birds. Hedgerows and mature trees act as perches for some species from where they can sing to attract mates or ward-off territorial rivals. The thorny and prickly nature of hedgerow species also deter predators including larger birds, mammals and the domesticated cat! You can learn more about how to plant and manage hedgerows for wildlife by referring to our Guide to planning and planting a new hedge for wildlife and Guide to restoring and managing hedges for wildlife in this series. Failing this, employ the tried-and-tested method of feeding the birds yourself! Feeders and Tables: Bird feeders and tables will assist local bird populations, especially during the harder winter months. Do position these carefully when predatory cats live in the neighbourhood. Some species of birds such as blackbird and robin are ground feeders so do cater for these also. Most good garden centres stock a variety of feeders and tables or contact your local branch of the RSPB. Having a pond or bird bath in the garden is useful as a drinking source or as a place where birds can bathe and maintain their feathers for flight. An old basin or the like would also suffice! Bird boxes Preferably erect in autumn Position box so that entrance hole is facing away from prevailing wind Should be shaded from sun Provide open flight path for birds Open style boxes for Robins Ideally surrounded by plenty of vegetation such as ivy Closed boxes for tits Not close to branches or vegetation which can aid predators and deter tits Robin

9 Butterflies and Bees Like all the other creatures we have been discussing, butterfly and bee populations are suffering a decline due to loss and fragmentation of their habitats. By introducing the aforementioned garden policies, you will naturally attract butterflies and bees into your garden. There are, however, some specific considerations when gardening for butterflies (and moths!) and bees. Small tortoiseshell butterfly Peacock butterfly Elephant hawk moth Butterflies are considered to be cold-blooded and need temperatures to be above a certain degree before they become active and fly. Warm, sunny, sheltered spots are essential for them to get their body temperature up to where they can actively seek out nectar-giving plants. Therefore, site your butterfly garden in place which meets these requirements. Butterflies resident in the area will visit your garden although ideally, providing caterpillar food sources will ensure your very own local population. Leaving a wild area in the garden, such as a nettle patch, will greatly help with this. Many butterflies over-winter and need suitable hibernation spots. A fence or wall with climbers such as ivy or native hedges are ideal. Moths rely on many of the same species that butterflies prefer and again, native hedgerows with climbers such as honeysuckle are a great place to start helping moth populations. Bees are the most important pollinators in the insect kingdom, undertaking the bulk of the pollinating work. Bumblebees and honey bees will be attracted to many of the plants which butterflies also prefer and will ensure that these plants are pollinated and produce seed. Similar to butterflies, bumblebees need to raise their body temperature for flight before collecting nectar and in their case, pollen also. Buy honey from a local beekeeper to give you a taste of your local flora! Bumblebee burrows: A bank of free-draining soil in a sunny position somewhat free of vegetation will attract bumblebees. Piling partially decaying wood on top will attract other species of bee. Plants for bumblebees Bramble, broom, red clover, foxglove, thistles and teasels are some of the good sources of nectar for bumblebees For butterflies to breed Common nettle, birds-foottrefoil, holly, ivy, cuckoo flower, nasturtium, thistle For butterflies to feed Buddleia, lavender, marjoram, aubretia, field scabious, bramble Bee resting on bramble

10 Beastly Bugs Now that you understand how important it is to run your garden chemicallyfree, you should have a whole host of invertebrates occupying dark crevices, mouldy leaf layers and muddy banks. These micro-habitats can be obtained in any number of ways, some of which have already been mentioned. Perhaps the autumnal garden clean-up can be delayed until the springtime or an out-ofthe-way corner in the garden can house a habitat pile of stacked branches, tree trunks etc. Wood lice, centipedes, millipedes, beetles -- a whole range of beastly bugs will occupy, live and feed on this pile where a wandering hedgehog, pigmy shrew or the like may very well stop over for supper. Ponds or sunken bathtubs may attract the more eye-catching damselflies or the fastidious garden bird wishing to clean its plumage. An amber-winged hawker Nocturnal Visitors These are the guys you are least likely to see! Bats, owls, mammals and moths may all well visit your garden but they only come out at night, or at least most of the time! After you have finished the good work of making your garden more wildlife friendly, these creatures will find it an infinitely more friendly and successful place to find food and shelter during their nightly turns. In the case of bats and owls, if your garden is large enough or perhaps has old buildings, then they may well be residents. If not then they are swooping-in for a bite to eat. Smaller creatures such as field mice, pigmy shrews and moths may be what s attracting them. As with birds, you can erect boxes to provide nesting/roosting xxxx sites for bats and owls but only if you believe they are in the area. These creatures have particular requirements, not least a plentiful food supply close by. In regards to owls, suitable habitats are not (or unlikely) to be found in large towns or cities and they now dwell mostly in the countryside where rough pasture provides good hunting grounds. Field Mouse Hedgehog Dead vegetation, fallen leaves and log piles, as well as being excellent for beetles etc are also good for small mammals such as field mice, newts and hedgehogs. Again, leaving these undisturbed over the winter or creating a permanent area like this will provide shelter and a home to these creatures.

11 The Final Word There are a host of positive things that you can do in your daily living and in your garden that will help our wildlife populations survive and indeed thrive! The web links listed are just some of the excellent organisations that are working to this very same goal. These organisations will be able to provide you with literature in the areas they are working in. Many host training events and others welcome volunteers to assist in managing nature reserves or working on projects. Both your local bookshop and library will stock a good range of books on gardening for wildlife which will provide more in-depth information than a leaflet can. We would encourage you to become involved in whatever manner and level you can. Gardening for wildlife is not a complicated or expensive business but rather a simple and rewarding one. The additional benefit of a healthier body and mind is thrown-in for free! Happy Gardening! Wildlife Gardening - Suggestions for each month of the year January Check on trees planted in last few years eg how is the tree-tie, are leader branches intact? Carry out any necessary repair work to sheds, tools, machinery etc February For least disturbance to birdlife, trim or lay hedges in late winter, on rotation if possible Important to continue feeding birds well into spring March Last opportunity to plant bare root trees before next season Time to begin sowing seeds of wildflowers and vegetables Cut back shrubs April Prepare ground and plant wildflower area Plant out shrubs Good time to construct a wildlife pond May Sow wildflower meadow Mulch young trees and shrubs Spot treat/weed out problem plants such as dock, invasive bramble June Cut spring meadow, first cut for last years summer meadow Observe wildlife with the help of some identification books on birds, butterflies July Wildflower seed collection of spring species Maintain/mow a path through the garden for access and enjoyment Water plants as necessary August Cut summer meadow this or next month Simply enjoy the garden! September Wildflower seed collection of summer flowering species Optimum time to sow wildflower meadow for next year Prune and/or dead-head shrubs Clean out bird boxes for winter roosting October If needs be, weed your pond to maintain open water or control some plants Plan hedgerow and tree planting projects Check the compost bin is adequately protected from rain or dig-in to garden November Tree planting season begins Leave areas undisturbed in the garden for hibernating insects and animals December If bird bath/pond freezes over, break some of the ice creating open water for wildlife Feed the birds

12 Recommended Books and Related Links Following is a list of some useful books and website addresses on wildlife and environmental issues. Books: Flora Hibernica-the wildflowers, plants and trees of Ireland, J. Pilcher and V. Hall. Cork: the Collins Press. ISBN X The Ultimate Guide to Growing Successfully from Seed J. McVicar. Lyons Press. ISBN How to make a Wildlife Garden, C. Baines. Frances Lincoln. ISBN Wildlife Gardening for Everyone ed M. Tait. London: Think Publishing. ISBN Website Links: Bat Conservation Ireland is a charity dedicated to the conservation of Ireland's bats. BBC s Breathing Places is a useful link for gardening tips, participating in national surveys. The site also offers details on their grants scheme for projects! Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland work to protect, research and inform on the conservation of butterfly and moths species. Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland provide practical volunteering and training opportunities in conservation. They also sell native local provenance trees and wildflowers and can undertake contract conservation projects. Environment and Heritage Service are a government agency which legislates, manages and monitors built and natural heritage in Northern Ireland. Information on designation and protected habitats/species can be found here. Habitas is a research body, linked to the Ulster Museum.

13 Irish Peatland Conservation Council works to conserve, lobby and educate on the cause of protecting our bogs. Irish Seed Savers Association work to protect and conserve heritage vegetable and fruit trees from extinction through seed saving and selling on. The Mammal Society works to protect British mammals and addresses the decline of particular species. National Parks and Wildlife Service is a government agency in the Republic of Ireland which regulates, monitors and manages wildlife reserves. Details of reserves, designations etc. can be found on their website. The National Trust manage built and natural heritage across the United Kingdom. Nature walks and talks are held throughout the year on many of their sites. The Organic Centre offers a wide range of courses for those wishing to lead a more sustainable life with emphasis on food and crafts. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds advise on, manage, and protect the environment for birdlife. The Ulster Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity working for a healthy environment for wildlife and people across Northern Ireland. The Wildlife Trusts are UK wide partnership of 47 Local Wildlife Trusts. Wild About Gardens is a joint project between The WildlifeTrusts and the Royal Horticultural Society, bringing together the worlds of gardening and nature conservation for the benefit of people and wildlife. Images Credits Elephant Hawk Moth Ian Kimber, After Dark Postcard Joan Bartholomew 1994, design Jane Walmsley.

14 Further Information For further information or advice contact: The Conservation Manager, Ulster Wildlife Trust, 3 New Line, Crossgar, Co. Down, BT30 9EP. Tel: info@ulsterwildlifetrust.org