By Niina Silvennoinen 

Spring has sprung!

Winter gone, many wildlife denizens in our gardens are emerging anew, and whilst the weather is warmer and resources more plentiful, our wild friends still need our help. With many species’ natural habitats in decline, gardens are vital to wildlife, and creating a wildlife haven in your backyard is one of the easiest ways of helping the environment.

Even minor efforts towards wildlife friendly gardening make a big difference, with variety and year-round support being key to success. Should you not wish to make major changes to your existing garden, a corner dedicated to wildlife will suffice. A water feature, from a small bowl to a pond (with sloping edges and night-time cover to prevent hedgehogs and small pets from drowning) is a basic, however, if you have felines in the house it is best to forego a birdbath. Food and shelter are vital for all species; nest boxes for birds, hedgerows, wall climbers and piles of dead wood and leaves make ideal homes year-round. Choose a range of native flowers, trees and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar over several months to ensure that bees and butterflies, our most important pollinators, are well provided for.  Poppies are not only gorgeous but also an excellent source of pollen from May to October, rosemary offers culinary delights both in the garden and the kitchen, and foxglove, comfrey and clovers add colour and variety to the pollinators’ menu, to mention but a few.

Saving rainwater for watering the garden and using natural pest control instead of chemicals instantly upgrades your environment-friendly status. Recycling appropriate food scraps for composting makes for five-star accommodation for many insects, vital for a healthy garden. And if you do not have a garden, don’t be discouraged; a window box or a hanging basket on a balcony are also great ways of helping wildlife.

If you care for wildlife in your garden, why not enter the Dorset Wildlife Trust wildlife friendly gardening competition, sponsored by the Gardens Group. To enter visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wfgc