How to make your garden more nature-friendly

We know from the Bible, and from the evidence of our own eyes, that God is deeply invested in the beauty of his creation. Every intricate flower, every tiny insect, every fish in the sea was designed and sustained by the master creator.

But with so much of the earth now covered in man-made materials, much of the beauty he gifted us with has been pushed to one side or, worse still, has completely died out. You may feel as though there isn’t much you can do about this, but even small tweaks could make a big difference. Why not turn your outdoor space into a haven for flora and fauna alike?

Go wild!

Manicured lawns and preened hedges may be easy on the eye, but they won’t be as welcoming to pollinators, birds and small mammals as wilder terrain. Forget the compost and fertiliser as wildflowers tend to grow more effectively in low-quality soil. You don’t have to turn your whole garden into a meadow; you could just leave one corner or border to do its thing. Cornflowers, buttercups, bluebells, red clover, primrose and ox-eye daisies are great options if you’re looking to go down the wild route.

Stop killing things!

It’s time to ditch the weedkiller, slug pellets, fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, which cause untold harm to countless animals and insects. Get rid, but make sure you dispose of them responsibly. If you can, try not to mow your lawn so frequently, as this will also affect the wildlife in your garden, including frogs, snails, worms and newts. Longer grass provides excellent shelter for insects and small mammals such as hedgehogs.

Be creative!

Perhaps you don’t have a big garden area to play around with, but don’t worry – you can still do a thing or two for nature if you have a yard, a balcony or even just a windowsill. Lavender can brighten up a concreted area and is a favourite with bees. Hanging baskets are also decorative and good for attracting pollinators. Alternatively, you could invest in a bug or bee hotel, or hang up a bird feeder. This is a great way to support the local ecosystem and will also help to keep irritating pests at bay.

Psalm 96:11-12 says: “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”