Bringing in beneficial wildlife

[rdak]

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions on how to bring in beneficial wildlife to my plot? Without going to much expense or construction, I would like to attract worms, frogs, bees etc.

[Tenuse]

A pond will do an awful lot to attract wildlife - both from animals like frogs living in it, to providing insects with a place to breed and them then providing food for birds etc. futher up the food chain.

A pile of rotting logs will provide shelter for a variety of good beetles, hedgehogs, frogs etc.

Growing simple flowers - not the fancy double types which make pollen/nectar too hard to get to - will bring in bees, hoverflies etc.

You can make a house for ladybirds/lacewings by bundling together hollow sticks or building/buying an insect box.

Hope this helps.

Ten x

[teresa]

Hi,
For worms dig the soil and add manure,
For frogs yes Ten is right water is a must for them and some logs for shelter dont forget the slop/ ramp to help them out of the water also for any birds that fall in.
Bee's nectar plants best but will go for blue plants I have heard. Yellow flowers good for hoverflies. I saw on one thread that growing sweet peas up runner beans helps them set pods so I am giveing that a go this year. Hey if nothing else will have a pretty lottie.
Good luck with your plans
Teresa

[Hyacinth]

...and for frogs'n that...no big expense at all..I've got 3 old washing-up bowls sunk around...put stones in so that they can get out, & frogs & things will colonize them..  can't add more to Ten & Theresa's advice - all sound....-cheers, Lish

[MagpieDi]

Well ....would you believe it   .........a cheap and cheerful shallow pond!!! ...and as you can see... rdak ....it works!!      

[Beer_Belly]

I was tidying up my front garden yesterday and out jumped a large frog from under a bush I was pruning. No pond nearby, seems if there's enough moist cover they're also happy.

[Mrs Ava]

I agree with you BB.  I don't have a pond, and yet, whenever I am poking around my pots, in the greenhouse or my mini nursery down the side of my house, I am always suprised as teh frogs jump out to greet me.  I assume it is because it is cool and damp, and I don't mind, they keep the slugs off my seedlings.  However, I think my neighbours think I am of a nervous disposition as I gasp in suprise as the slimey little critters jump up and say hello!  

[MagpieDi]

More of a loud screech from me in the summer ......when the cold wet slimey little dears land on my bare feet!!