A log pile is good for a whole host of beetles, bugs and other damp loving critters. Apparently Slow worms can be found under log piles but this is something I've never come across.
You need to find a shady spot in your garden. For me, this isn't difficult as the garden is North facing and what sun we get doesn't last very long.
Not really much of a shopping list for this project. Basically you need logs! I've used the logs and branches from the Buddleia, some of which are fairly large. It's a good idea to have a collection of various tree species and not just one sort. I also have a few logs I had left over.
I've used the logs to help create better conditions for some ferns. Whilst out on country walks with the dog I collected a few fir cones which I think adds a bit more texture. A lot of shade is provided by a large Hellebore, not sure of the variety but the snails love the flowers but not the leaves.
I have plans to make...
All whilst keeping a garden wildlife friendly, not to mention dog friendly!
I have a few flowering Hebes which are alive with bees today, they're actually humming! This got me thinking... where do all the bees go at night? Is there a Bee Hotel locally? Probably not, so the little buzzers are going to need somewhere to rest, particularly over winter.
I started looking around the garden for something to make a bee house. You're going to need the following if you want to make a bee house.
- Bamboo canes
- Sticks
- Container (metal, wood or plastic)
- String/Velcro/Wire
- Cutters/loppers
Make sure the container you're going to use is clean and waterproof. I've used a metal planter which has a drain hole in the bottom. You can use just about anything, baked bean tin, washing up liquid bottle, just make sure it's washed really well.
Cut the bamboo and sticks to length, about the same as the depth of the container. They can be shorter or longer so cutting accuracy is not essential. secateurs are ideal for cutting bamboo but you may need loppers for bigger sticks.
Pack the sticks in the container, putting them in a random pattern. Keep packing them in until they're tight and will not fall out but make sure you leave gaps... the bees need somewhere to go!
Keep in mind a metal container is going to heat up a lot quicker than wood or plastic so it's an idea to cover it with something. I have some artificial turf off cuts so I've wrapped the container in it, fixing it with string. It's a bit quirky but works really well. Again, you could use anything. If you have loads of bamboo left, try surrounding the container. A hot glue gun would help, just make sure you use wire or string to keep it in place.
I used the Velcro strip to hold the bee house securely to a suitable branch in the Buddleia which is also a haven for bees. Mount the Bee House about 1m to 1.5m from the ground.
Just need some bees now!
It also blends in well.
Hi, thanks for reading my blog on creating and maintaining wildlife friendly homes for my garden.
You can expect to see ideas on how to make homes for wildlife with the minimum of cost.
My garden is small, around 13' wide by 30' long. I've crammed a lot of plants in some of which include Hebes, Bamboo (perfect for growing your own canes), Honeysuckle and quite a few native British trees which include Oak, Alder and Hawthorn to name but a few.
Because the garden is small, most of the plants are pot grown. I enjoy this way of growing plants. It does take longer for them to grow but the idea of being able to move a plant within the garden without affecting it appeals to me.
Growing in pots does have a downside though. Apart from the fact watering takes up a lot of time, I also have to contend with bugs which cause considerable damage.
At present (July 16) I'm fighting an infestation Vine Weevil (or Wine Weebles if you listen to my Dad). So far they have destroyed two of my plants. Unfortunately I can't risk losing other plants so I've had to turn to a chemical approach. Some of my plants are at real risk, such as the Acers. I've used Bug Clear Ultra. This is a quick and effective approach.
I don't particularly like using chemicals in the garden for a few reasons, one of which is my dog. I always try to find solutions which will not harm her should she come into contact with them.
Because the vine weevil are so widespread in the garden I'm treating everything (and I mean everything) with nematodes. These are microscopic worms which you water into the soil. They seek out the vine weevil and without being too gruesome, they kill them. You can get nematodes to sort out other problems. Have a look at Nemaslugdirect.co.uk which is where I purchased mine from. They're really quick to dispatch orders.
The packet I've purchased contains over 50 million nematodes and it's only 3" square by 3/4" deep. They work until the temperature drops below 5DegC.
Anyway, enough of that. On with the projects and remember, absolutely anything you do to help wildlife counts. Even if it's leaving a patch of grass to become overgrown, it will help.
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