A biodiverse garden is a garden that’s filled with life in multiple forms. It encompasses a variety of plant species, which, in turn, attracts an array of wildlife. Not only does this make a garden so much more enjoyable, but, in the bigger picture, it helps the environment too.
Go Wild
Many people are put off by the idea of allowing parts of their garden to run wild, believing that this will leave them with dense patches of weeds. However, if you’re strategic, this won’t be the case.
Try filling the ground with lots of spring flowering bulbs, and then sow some wildflower seeds in there too. Once all of these plants come up, there won’t be any room for weeds, and you will have created a spectacular, not to mention colourful, habitat for local wildlife.
Invest in Species-Rich, Seasonal Plants
The more plant species you have in your garden, the more biodiverse it’ll be. However, try to also choose plants that flower and fruit at different times of the year. This will ensure that there’s always something around for wildlife to munch on.
You should also try to plant a few ever-bearing plants, which means that they’ll flower and fruit throughout the year. The Tahitian Lime Tree is a fantastic (and delicious) example.
Plant Trees to Bring in the Birds
There’s nothing quite like the chirping of happy birds, and, the more trees that you have, the more birds you’ll attract. Birds depend on trees for shelter and food, so give them a variety to choose from.
While deciduous trees may be popular, mix a few evergreens in there too, so that your garden still has some cover come winter.
Prioritise Native Plants
The beauty of being able to order plants online means that so many different species and varieties are now accessible. However, don’t get too caught up in all of those exotics.
Plants that are native to your local area will most likely do much better in your garden than those that have evolved in other countries. A few popular natives that do well both in the ground and in large pots are the Queensland Bottle Tree, the Grass Tree, and the Native Australian Finger Lime.
Add in a Water Feature
Water features come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you go for an elegant fountain or a hastily-dug pond, you’ll be surprised at how quickly biodiversity increases in your garden once you’ve added water into the mix.
Set Up a Log Pile
It may not seem like much, but a log pile will quickly start harbouring so much life. Numerous creatures will set up their home within, from insects to reptiles.
If the idea of a log pile sounds messy, there are a few ways to get around this. You could place your logs into the designated “wild” areas of your garden, as mentioned above. Alternatively, hide them behind some of your garden trees, or set up a trellis in front of them that you can cover in climbing plants.
Summary
It really doesn’t take much to make a garden more biodiverse, and it doesn’t need to happen all at once. Make small changes as often as you can and you’ll soon notice biodiversity massively increasing.