Don't Forget About Wildlife When Preparing Your Garden for Summer Fun

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As the warm weather approaches, it's time to dust off those gardening gloves and get ready for some spring and summer fun in the garden. But before you dive headfirst into planting flowers and trimming hedges, take a moment to consider our furry and feathered friends who call your garden home. While sprucing up your outdoor space can create a beautiful oasis for you and your family, it can also inadvertently disrupt the habitats of the local wildlife. 

Here are important things to keep in mind to ensure your garden remains a welcoming environment for all creatures, big and small.

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Preserve hiding spots

When you start tidying up your garden for summer, it's easy to get carried away with clearing away debris and trimming back overgrown plants. However, by doing so, you might inadvertently remove important hiding spots for wildlife. Creatures like hedgehogs, frogs, and insects rely on these cozy nooks and crannies to escape from predators and seek refuge during the day. 

Consider leaving some areas of your garden untouched or creating designated wildlife habitats to ensure these critters have a safe place to retreat to.

Provide alternative shelter

If you remove natural hiding spots from your garden, local wildlife will seek out alternative shelter elsewhere, often in less-than-ideal locations around your home. This could mean finding their way into your attic, garage, or even under your roof if they can find access. So, it’s a good idea to check those areas and assess whether they need protection from the local wildlife. For instance, now’s the time to book an appointment with a roofing contractor to ensure no unwanted guests can squeeze in between the roof tiles! 

To prevent unwelcome guests indoors, try installing bird boxes, insect hotels, or hedgehog houses to provide alternative shelter options for wildlife.

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Mindful tree trimming

Trimming trees and shrubs can give your garden a tidy appearance, but it can also leave small wildlife vulnerable to predators. Birds, for example, may struggle to find suitable nesting sites if you prune away their preferred branches. Before you reach for the shears, take a careful look around your garden to spot any active nests or signs of wildlife activity. Consider postponing tree trimming until after nesting season to avoid disrupting their habitat.

Save some flowers for bees and bugs

While it's tempting to fill your garden with colorful blooms that appeal to your aesthetic senses, don't forget about the vital role that bees and bugs play in pollinating plants and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. 

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators rely on nectar-rich flowers for food, so be sure to include a variety of flowering plants in your garden to support their populations. Native wildflowers are particularly beneficial, as they are well-adapted to local conditions and attract a diverse array of pollinators.

As you prepare your garden for summer, remember that you're not just creating a beautiful outdoor space for yourself—you're also sharing it with a diverse array of wildlife. By taking a few simple steps to accommodate their needs, you can ensure that your garden remains a welcoming haven for creatures big and small. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a summer filled with blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and chirping birds in your wildlife-friendly garden.