March Gardening for Wildlife: A Beginner’s Guide
Introduction
Spring is in the air, and it’s time to start thinking about how to make your garden a haven for wildlife. In March, there are plenty of things you can do to attract and support a variety of creatures to your outdoor space.
Wildlife Plants
One of the most important things you can do for wildlife is to provide them with food and shelter. Planting a variety of native plants that flower and fruit at different times of the year will ensure that there is always something for wildlife to eat. Some good choices for March include:
- Hellebores
- Pulmonaria
- Daisies
- White dead-nettle
- Dandelions
- Borage
- Viper’s bugloss
- Annual toadflax
- Common toadflax
- Purple toadflax
Feeding Wildlife
In addition to providing food through plants, you can also supplement wildlife’s diet by putting out feeders and water sources.
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are starting to emerge from hibernation in March. They need food to rebuild their strength, so put out meaty hedgehog food, meat-based cat or dog food, or clean water. Do not feed milk, bread, or mealworms.
Birds
Most berries have been eaten by March, and caterpillars and other insects can be in short supply. Fill bird feeders with sunflower seeds and good quality seed mixes. Avoid putting out large pieces of bread, fat, or loose peanuts, as these can be harmful to chicks.
Creating and Maintaining Habitats
In addition to food and water, wildlife also needs places to shelter and raise their young.
Compost Heaps
Compost heaps are great places for wildlife to hide and hibernate. Avoid turning or disturbing compost until April, when animals such as hedgehogs, toads, and slow worms will have emerged from hibernation.
Garden Ponds
Garden ponds provide a habitat for a variety of creatures, including frogs, toads, and newts. If you have a pond, look out for clumps of frogspawn and toadspawn in March.
Nesting Materials
Many birds are busy breeding in March, so they will be on the hunt for materials for their nests. Provide them with grasses, green leaves, straw, lichen, feathers, and moss.
Growing Greener
Climate change is making extreme weather events more common. When choosing plants for your garden, select species that are well-suited to your local soil and weather conditions.
Look Out For… Earthworms
Earthworms are a sign of a healthy ecosystem. They aerate the soil and provide food for other animals. There are three main types of earthworms:
- Anecic earthworms live in vertical burrows and come out at night to feed.
- Endogeic earthworms live in the ground and feed on soil.
- Epigenic earthworms live on the surface and feed on decaying plant matter.
Why Are There No Earthworms in My Soil?
If you don’t see any earthworms in your soil, it could be because:
- The soil is too acidic or alkaline.
- The soil is compacted.
- There is not enough organic matter in the soil.
- The soil is too wet or too dry.
Thrifty Tip
Dahlias are a great way to attract wildlife to your garden. They bloom from summer into autumn, and their single-flowered varieties are especially beneficial to wildlife.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can create a wildlife-friendly garden that will be enjoyed by both you and the creatures that visit it.
