17 Aug Wildlife-Friendly Gardening Can Save You Money
When people think about creating a wildlife-friendly garden, they often assume it means spending lots of money on new plants, ponds or specialist equipment. In reality, the opposite is often true.
Many of the best things you can do for wildlife cost very little—or nothing at all. In fact, wildlife-friendly gardening can help you save money, reduce maintenance and make better use of the resources you already have.
Here are five simple ways that helping nature can also help your wallet.
Collect Rainwater 💧
Water is one of the most valuable resources in any garden, especially during dry spells. Installing a water butt allows you to collect rainwater from your roof and use it to water your plants instead of turning on the tap. Rainwater is naturally better for many plants and helps reduce demand on treated drinking water. It’s a simple change that benefits both wildlife and the environment while helping to reduce water use.
Make Your Own Compost 🌿
Instead of throwing away garden waste and fruit and vegetable peelings, why not turn them into nutrient-rich compost? A compost bin or heap creates a home for worms, beetles and other decomposers while producing a free soil conditioner that improves the health of your plants. You’ll spend less on compost, reduce household waste and create a thriving habitat beneath the surface.
Leave the Lawn a Little Longer 🌼
Perfectly manicured lawns require regular mowing, watering and maintenance. Leaving even a small patch of grass to grow longer provides shelter for insects, encourages wildflowers to bloom and reduces the amount of time you spend mowing. Less work for you—and a richer habitat for wildlife.
Divide Plants Instead of Buying More 🌸
Many garden plants naturally grow into larger clumps over time. Instead of buying new plants, simply lift and divide established perennials such as hostas, daylilies or ornamental grasses. You’ll create free new plants to fill borders, share with neighbours or grow in containers. Choosing pollinator-friendly varieties means you’ll also be creating more food sources for bees and butterflies.
Grow Your Own Herbs 🌱
Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage, chives and mint are easy to grow in gardens, pots or window boxes. Not only do they provide fresh ingredients for your kitchen, but when left to flower they’re also incredibly attractive to bees and other pollinators. It’s a simple way to enjoy home-grown produce while supporting biodiversity.
Sometimes Doing Less Is Better
One of the biggest surprises for many wildlife gardeners is discovering that doing less can often achieve more. Leaving seed heads standing over winter, allowing leaves to decompose naturally under hedges or resisting the urge to tidy every corner all provide valuable habitats for insects, birds and small mammals. Nature has evolved to thrive with a little untidiness.
Wildlife Gardening Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune
The Wildlife Garden Awards celebrate practical, achievable actions that anyone can take, regardless of the size of their outdoor space or budget. Many entrants are surprised to discover they already have several wildlife-friendly features without spending any extra money at all.
The Wildlife Garden Awards are free to enter, and the deadline has been extended until 30 September, giving you plenty of time to make a few simple, low-cost improvements before entering. Sometimes the best investment you can make isn’t spending more, it’s simply working with nature. Enter today