Maak een Plek voor Dieren in Uw Tuin

What can you do?

You can give nature a helping hand in your own garden. Just removing a few paving slabs and planting some wildflowers can make a difference. This way, you’ll be inviting birds, butterflies, bumblebees, hedgehogs and even squirrels to find food and a safe haven in your garden. And the best bit is that you can enjoy all the wildlife in your garden.

You could also simply let the plants grow in a corner of the garden. Only prune them when it’s really necessary. In a little patch of ‘wild’ garden like this, animals will find a lovely spot to take shelter. And it’ll mean less maintenance work for you, too.

Do not use poison in your garden

That isn’t necessary either. Many birds also eat aphids and other pests. Ladybirds do too. If you have an animal-friendly garden with a variety of plants, the balance is just right. Then pests don’t stand a chance.

How do you do it?

Make sure you have a mix of tall and short plants and shrubs. This gives animals a safe spot sheltered from the sun, wind and rain. You could also place a pile of stones or tree stumps in a corner of your garden. Drill a few holes in the tree stump. This will allow insects to take shelter there or build a nest. Insects, in turn, provide food for birds.

Would you like to create a parking space in your garden? If so, use open-jointed paving slabs. Are you laying a path? In that case, stepping stones are a better option. This way, you combine stone with greenery, allowing rainwater to seep into the ground more easily.

Afdakje in de tuin voor egels. Twee bakstenen met daarop een boomstam — A small canopy in the garden

Choosing plants

If you want to attract as many animals as possible to your garden, one thing is particularly important: plenty of variety in your planting. For both butterflies and bees, it’s also important to choose plants that flower at different times. Examples include verbena, catnip, speedwell, butterfly bush and phlox.

Variety in your planting is also good for birds, as the insects attracted to it provide them with plenty to eat. As well as food, birds like to have places to hide. Trees, climbing plants and hedges are ideal for this. Birds can also build their nests in them.

Water

A pond attracts animals such as birds, newts and dragonflies. Newts and dragonflies eat mosquito larvae, which is a nice bonus in the summer. If your garden is too small for a pond, a shallow bowl of water will do just as well.

Use your robotic lawnmower during the day

Do you have a robotic lawnmower? If so, please use it only during the day, between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm. Hedgehogs are mainly active in the evening, at night and in the early morning. A robotic lawnmower can seriously injure a hedgehog if it comes into contact with one. By running your robotic lawnmower only during the day, you’ll help hedgehogs and other nocturnal animals to move safely through your garden. This will make your garden even more animal-friendly.

Winter

In winter, there are a number of things you can do to turn your garden into a cosy haven for animals. Leave leaves on the ground (not on the lawn or patio). This attracts animals such as hedgehogs. Hedgehogs also appreciate being able to move freely between gardens. An opening measuring 15x15cm is sufficient for this.

Cats in a green garden

A green garden is good for nature and the climate, but can sometimes attract cats. Some residents experience nuisance because cats defecate in their gardens, which causes extra work and inconvenience. The local council has no rules regarding cats roaming freely, as cats are allowed to roam freely in the Netherlands. However, there are practical tips to help reduce this nuisance. On the Milieu Centraal website You’ll find simple ways to keep cats out of your garden. Are you having trouble with stray cats? If so, you can find out more via the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals let’s see what’s possible.

Create a place for animals in your garden