Invite hedgehogs, squirrels, and birds to the garden

Garden

What would nature be without small animals? Hedgehogs, squirrels, and birds can be a big part of garden life. It's nice to have them in the garden, but they also serve a great purpose. Here's how to get them to choose your garden.

Written by: Liselotte Roll

Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".

Flowers for bees and butterflies – 7 favorites

We need bees and other insects to pollinate plants and crops. Unfortunately, bees have been struggling for a long time, but thankfully, there are things you can do to help them out. Start by planting outdoor flowers that bees love!

Outdoor plants and garden

Flower meadows – a paradise for pollinators

Flower meadows are not only beautiful—they're also vital for many pollinators. Unfortunately, nearly all natural meadows have disappeared today, and with them, many plant and insect species. But it's not too late to make a difference. Here's how you can help.

Outdoor plants and garden

Manure from animals - a great resource in the garden

All plants need nutrients to grow – some more than others. But what exactly is the difference between the different types of manure? Here we take a closer look at the options available and how fertilizer can help plants thrive.

Fertilizer

Our most common pollinators

It is not only the "tame" bee that pollinates plants so they can reproduce and produce good harvests. Wild bees, butterflies, flies, and even beetles can also pollinate. Here are some of the invaluable gardeners we cannot do without., Have you ever stopped in a sea of flowers you know that it is teeming with insects, a bee buzzing by, a butterfly taking off from a newly blossomed poppy. Like feathers, insects move pollen grains from one flower to another so they can reproduce and develop fruit and berries. Every third bite of food we take is actually pollinated by insects. There are some plants that are pollinated by wind and water, but pollinators are always the key to a functioning garden.

Garden

Ants in the garden - for better and for worse

If you look closely, they are there - the ants. Even though they can sometimes cause trouble, they are also very useful. Here we tell you more about how to live together with ants in the garden and how to get rid of them if they are in the way.

Pests and weeds

Garden

This is how you scare away deer from your garden

Deer in the garden - how do you actually get rid of them? Here are concrete tips to ensure that the deer do not eat up your flowers, vegetables, and garden plants. Sticking to just one method in trying to deal with deer rarely works well enough, so we recommend a combination of several measures. Experiment and continue with what works best for your garden.

Garden

If you want to wake up to bird song or have visits from other small animals, you should aim for a natural garden. Diversity is key, and you should have several different plants, shrubs, and trees in your garden. Additionally, it's good to have areas that are a bit more untidy, like compost, a pile of old branches, a pile of rocks, or maybe a corner with weeds. Ponds are also popular, attracting thirsty animals - and as a bonus, you may have visits from frogs or salamanders.,,Biodiversity garden,In England, biodiversity gardens are called wildlife gardens, and the idea of these natural gardens is said to have come from there. England, like most other countries in the world, has lost several species, and all efforts to protect those that are now endangered count - both there and here in the north. According to WWF, the world's animal populations have on average decreased by almost 70 percent since the 1970s. Animals simply need our help.,,But a wild garden? It may sound messy, but it is actually possible to achieve a nice harmony even in such a garden. By matching colors and foliage, and grouping different types of plants, it often looks very beautiful.,,Also read:,Woodland - bring the forest into the garden,,What do animals need?,When planning a garden to attract animals, it is important to think about the basic needs of animals. What do different animals like to eat? Is there water they can drink, places they can live, and hiding spots they can escape to? If your garden meets these needs, chances are that animals will settle in with you. So give the hedgehog a small pile of branches and the blackbird a thicket - it will pay off.,,When it comes to choosing plants, it is often good to use those that naturally exist where you live. For example, meadow flowers and plants that insects and birds are already accustomed to.,,Avoid toxins,In a biodiversity garden, the number of food chains increases. This can be very useful. Many animals and predatory insects, for example, feed on harmful insects. But for this to work, we should steer clear of pesticides that can disrupt the food chains.,,How to attract hedgehogs to the garden,Hedgehogs are protected in Norway, and the species has previously been endangered. Mild winters are a threat to hedgehogs, as the mild weather favors badgers - which in turn eat hedgehogs. Robot lawn mowers are also a threat. If you have a robot lawn mower, make sure it is only in use during the middle of the day when hedgehogs are least active.,,Hedgehogs prefer tight spaces. They often stay in piles of branches or compost, so always be careful when moving or disturbing these areas.,,When it comes to food, hedgehogs appreciate earthworms, snails, beetles, and the like. If you want to give them something extra special, eggs, fruit, or cat and dog food (without fish) are good tips. Do not give them milk or dairy products! They like the taste but tolerate it poorly.

This is how you lure squirrels into the garden

This is how you attract birds to the garden

Birds will need protection from predators where they reside, preferably in the form of shrubs, bushes, and trees. If you also ensure that there are plants with berries or fruits that birds like, your garden will become even more attractive. Birds also need water to drink and bathe in, and this should be available in a location where cats or other predators cannot reach.WRITTEN BY Liselotte Roll, a Swedish garden inspirator, journalist, and author of books about nature, cultivation, and animals, such as "Earth," "Cultivating for Insects," and "Chickens as a Hobby."(Photo: Sandra Birgersdotter Ek)

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