Allotments 4 All
Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: rdak on November 28, 2003, 15:03:37
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
...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
-
Well ....would you believe it ;D.........a cheap and cheerful shallow pond!!! ...and as you can see... rdak ....it works!! ;) ;D
(http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=208818a7-4d7a-3115-3413-20ce34542712&size=)
-
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. :)
-
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! ;D
-
More of a loud screech from me in the summer ......when the cold wet slimey little dears land on my bare feet!! ::) ;D