Gardening for Wildlife: Create a thriving garden

Create a thriving nature-friendly garden! Gardening for wildlife is a wonderful way to bring nature closer to home while helping local species thrive. With many natural habitats in decline, our gardens can become vital sanctuaries for birds, bees, hedgehogs, and other wildlife. Best of all, a wildlife-friendly garden can be beautiful, easy to maintain, and full of life.

Whether you have a small urban space or a larger garden, this guide will show you how to create a thriving habitat. Download our free Gardening for Wildlife guide for even more inspiration!

A view ofa biodiverse garden looking towards the rear of a house. a hed is seen off to the left.

How to garden for wildlife

Encouraging wildlife into your garden doesn’t mean letting it grow wild—though a little wilderness does help! Here are some simple ways to make your garden more welcoming to nature:

Ditch the chemicals – Avoid pesticides and herbicides that harm bees and other pollinators.
Add water – A pond, birdbath, or even a small dish of water can make a huge difference.
Go native – Native plants like wildflowers and berry-producing shrubs provide essential food and shelter.
Create shelter – Log piles, hedgehog houses, and bird boxes offer safe spaces for nesting and hibernation.
Embrace the wild – Leave a patch of long grass, a pile of leaves, or an area of flowering ‘weeds’ like dandelions.

Want to get started? Download our Gardening for Wildlife guide for step-by-step advice.

We created a forager corner in one of our showhomes at our Woodgate development in Pease Pottage.

How to make a wildlife garden

  1. The forager’s corner – A haven for hedgehogs and birds

Hedgehogs, birds, and beneficial insects are struggling due to habitat loss. Your garden can become a lifeline by offering food, shelter, and nesting spots.

🦔 Hedgehog highways – Create a 13cm hole in your fence so hedgehogs can move between gardens.
🏡 Hedgehog houses – Buy or build a hedgehog home to provide a safe, dry shelter.
🌿 Bug hotels – Stacked logs, bamboo, and hollow stems make excellent insect habitats.
🌱 Plant for nature – Wild Primrose, Juniper, and Blackberries provide food all year round.
🐦 Bird feeders & nest boxes – Attract garden birds like robins, finches, and sparrows with the right food and shelter.

👉 Want to help hedgehogs and birds in your garden? Download our guide!

We install hedgehog highways as standard on all our developments, to allow hedgehogs to move between gardens.

2. The pollinator’s corner – attracting bees and butterflies

Pollinators are vital for biodiversity, but many species are in decline. A pollinator-friendly garden supports bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.

🐝 Choose nectar-rich flowers – Lavender, Foxgloves, and Borage are great for bees.
🌻 Grow a wildflower patch – Even a small section of native wildflowers can attract pollinators.
💚 Provide year-round food – Plant Ivy and Mahonia for winter nectar, and Sunflowers for summer pollen.
🚫 Avoid pesticides – Companion planting can help deter pests naturally.
🏡 Build a bee hotel – Solitary bees nest in small holes—create one with bamboo canes.

🐝 Bee hotels are safe around children and pets! Want to know more? Download our guide for easy DIY tips.

As part of our award winning Eddie & Ellie education programme, we show students how to create bee hotels.

3. The kitchen corner – grow your own & support wildlife

Growing your own fruit, veg, and herbs not only benefits you—it also provides food and shelter for wildlife.

🌿 Companion planting – Marigolds repel whitefly, while Lavender deters aphids.
🥕 Wildlife-friendly veg patches – Carrots, Runner Beans, and Onions support pollinators.
🌱 Compost for a healthier garden – Create nutrient-rich soil while providing a habitat for minibeasts.
🦋 Encourage hoverflies – They control pests naturally and love plants like Poached Egg Flower and Teasel.

🌿 Want a thriving, chemical-free garden? Get more expert tips in our Gardening for Wildlife guide!

4. The wetland corner – create a wildlife pond

A pond is one of the best ways to attract frogs, dragonflies, and birds to your garden.

💧 Pick a sunny spot – Helps plants grow and prevents water from becoming stagnant.
🌿 Add pond plants – Water Mint, Marsh Marigold, and Hornwort help keep water clean.
🐸 Make a safe exit – Place a gentle slope or log so animals can climb in and out.
🌱 Try a container pond – A sunken washing-up bowl or large pot can still support wildlife!

🐸 Did you know? A small pond attracts dragonflies, which eat mosquitoes—a natural pest control solution!

Want to create your own pond? Get step-by-step instructions in our guide.

How to attract wildlife to your garden

Even small changes can make a huge impact. Here are quick tips for encouraging more wildlife:

Leave some grass long – Provides shelter for insects and small mammals.
Use peat-free compost – Helps protect vital peatland habitats.
Let Ivy grow – Offers nectar for late-season pollinators and shelter for birds.
Leave fallen leaves – Acts as mulch and a home for insects.
Install a bat box – Supports nocturnal pollinators like moths.

You don’t need a big garden—even a few small changes can help nature thrive! Download our guide for even more wildlife-friendly ideas.

Start your wildlife garden today!

Creating a wildlife-friendly garden is easy, rewarding, and great for the environment. Whether you’re planting for pollinators, building a wildlife pond, or simply ditching pesticides, your efforts will make a difference.

🌿 Ready to get started? Download our free Gardening for Wildlife guide and take the first step towards a thriving, nature-filled garden!

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