Wilding a new build garden
Introduction
We moved into our new build house in Mid Sussex in 2016. With bare walls and fences, turf and hard landscaping, it was a barren space devoid of wildlife. No birds, no mammals, no wildlife at all. My family decided to change that. By starting with some simple actions, and working with nature over time, we have now transformed our garden into a beautiful space full of life.
Getting started
Our motivation for getting started was simple. After moving into our new build and setting up a homemade wildlife camera (part of the MyNatureWatch project) in the garden, we soon realised there was no visiting wildlife at all. It had nothing to offer – no shelter, no food, no water. The whole estate around us was the same; it lacked that vital connectivity for different species to move around.
Taking action
Over the years we have taken simple steps to provide more opportunities for wildlife. We started by removing some of the wall-to-wall turf to create borders for native hedging plants. We have grown climbing plants up bare walls and fences and importantly introduced water by creating a mini pond. The first version was simply a washing up bowl buried in the ground; it worked and we have since made a bigger one!
Through our planting choices we are also providing more natural food sources for birds rather than relying on feeders. We have planted apple and pear trees which provide food for both us and nature. A bird box nestled amongst the Boston Ivy on our front wall has attracted nesting great tits for the last three springs.
The garden now
Our garden has become a beautiful space that we can enjoy as a family and watch the visiting wildlife. From no birds in 2016, we now see many different bird species visiting us, together with damselflies, dragonflies and frogs attracted to the pond. Insects and invertebrates love the log pile and we continue to add features to increase opportunities and complexity.
Finally, what started with one garden has spread right across the area. We now have an estate-wide nature watch group taking actions for wildlife, both within private gardens and across our community greenspaces. People share things they’ve seen, offer and ask for advice, and together we love seeing the wildlife on the estate thriving.
Take simple steps now to support wildlife in your garden or community greenspaces by looking at the Actions for Nature tool in our Members area, including:
- Cloak walls & fences with climbing plants
- Replace hard boundaries with hedges
- Provide gaps under fences & walls
- Wildlife pond
- Drinking & bathing opportunities
- Natural food sources for birds
