Ways to Make the Most of a Smaller Garden to Attract Wildlife

When you are somebody who has moved from the suburbs or a rural area into the city, it can come as nothing short of a shock when you notice the downsizing that you may have to face relating to your garden. This can be particularly disheartening if you are a nature lover and previously had a wildlife garden, as you may feel that the smaller space is just not enough to attract bugs, bees, and birds.

However, this is not true. There has been a rise in what is known as urban wildlife gardens, with more people wanting to help pollinators and other animals in their own backyards. Plus, with some creative tips, you can make the most of even the smallest gardens to attract some very beneficial wildlife. So, read on to learn more.

Put in a Pond

Yes, you read that right. If your yard has got concrete spread across the ground, you can still put it in a pond. Granted, it may have to be a raised pond or even a tire-based pond, but having a water feature can help to make your small garden look bigger and will, of course, attract some of the urban birds and other wild creatures that may be in the surrounding area. You will have to ensure that it is stocked with lots of beneficial plant material and that it is surrounded by appropriate coverings for urban frogs and newts, but this is a great place to start with an urban wild garden.

Plant in Pots

Going back to the idea of having a concrete yard, rather than ground to dig, you will have to start planting your wildflowers in pots. Luckily, wildflowers are incredibly adaptive and can happily grow in pots, if they are given adequate sunlight and watering.

It can even be worth doing paired planting, where you put similar plants in the same pot to save space.

Put in Small Trees

A large tree is going to need a large pot, so if you are looking to attract birds to your garden, you will need to consider the floor space as a starting point. But it’s still well worth putting in some smaller trees.

This is especially beneficial if they are fruit-bearing trees, as this will help to feed the pollinators come spring with the blossoms, and if animals, such as mice, have access to your garden, dropped fruit can also feed them.

Make a Log Pile

Log piles don’t have to be huge, and, going back to the idea of a tire pond, this can be a good place to put a log pile. This will help to provide shelter for frogs, toads, and any other animals that may visit your pond, provided that it is well covered. As with most things that are designed to attract bugs, it is usually best to leave any log piles alone, as disrupting them can cause issues to any insect eggs or larvae.

Compost Heaps

In the same vein as a log pile, it is worth investing some time into creating a compost heap. Even in the smallest yard, a compost heap that is the size of a bathroom sink can be beneficial to beetles, ants, and moths, so try to fit one in if you can.