Spring has sprung, and for budding gardeners that means it’s time to start planning for the year ahead. This year, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are encouraging gardeners of plots big and small across Yorkshire to consider their local wildlife in their plans. Over the next month, we’ll focus on a different area of wildlife gardening that will make a big difference to your local wildlife, whilst still giving you space to grow your prize-winning tomatoes!

This week we’re looking at shelter…

Wild

Providing safe hidey holes in your garden can be very straightforward indeed – even if you don’t have much space! Something as simple as leaving a pile of stones, deadwood or logs undisturbed in a quiet corner can provide vital habitat for insects, as well as a convenient buffet for frog, birds, and hedgehogs.

Alternatively, why not make room for a tangle? A tangle is just a wild corner where brambles, nettles, thistles and dock have been left to thrive, providing shelter for a range of insects and small mammals, breeding space for creatures like butterflies and a food source too.

Wilder

Bird boxes are quick, easy and cheap to build, and incredibly rewarding; you will find yourself watching for potential homeowners very quickly. Once you have residents, the activity and dramas leading up to fledglings hopefully in June will have you gripped.

Check out our guide on building bird boxes here, or buy one from our online shop here.

Plenty of hedges or bushes in your garden provide important shelter and protection for wildlife, particularly nesting birds and hibernating insects, provide natural windbreaks, areas of shade and food sources – and allow your local wildlife to move between your garden and others. Native plants like hawthorn, field maple, blackthorn, dogwood, wild rose, hornbeam and holly are our top choices.

Wildest

Got a slightly bigger garden or looking for something a little different? Installing a swift or bat box will help these declining creatures, encouraging them to move into areas that have limited roosting space. These birds and bats are insect-eaters and will make a quick meal from other small winged things on summer evenings.

Insect or bee hotels also cater for a huge range of wildlife including solitary bees, and some of the average 2,000 different species of insect found in our gardens. They are also very aesthetically pleasing and great fun to make together.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have launched a Wildlife Gardening Award to inspire people to do more for wildlife in their gardens. This award recognises the valuable contribution that gardeners are already making, and encourages keen wildlife gardeners across Yorkshire to share what they are doing and the positive impact they are having.

The Trust is welcoming applications from everyone, no matter how large or small their garden is – as well as gardens in community spaces, schools, workplaces, care homes… in fact, any type of garden you can think of!

To apply for a wildlife gardening award, visit our website here and fill in the details. Don’t forget to share pictures of your wild garden to inspire others!

You’ll find all more advice and instructions for creating bird boxes, bug hotels and making your outdoor space more friendly for wildlife on our website here.