E-mail to a friendE-newsletterContact us
HomeAbout usAdviceBirdsJoinOur workReservesSupport usShopThings to do
  • Overview
  • Awards & recognition
  • Contact us
  • Facts and figures
  • History
  • How we are run
  • Inspiring work
  • Job vacancies
  • Looking to the future
  • Media centre
  • Offices
  • The RSPB view
  • What we do
  • Overview
  • Farming
  • Gardening
  • Green living
  • Helping birds
  • Land management
  • Law
  • Watching birds
  • Overview
  • Aren't birds brilliant!
  • Birds by name
  • Birds by family
  • Bird identifier
  • Features
  • Reserves
  • Webcams
  • Wildlife garden guide
  • Overview
  • Campaigns
  • Corporate membership
  • Credit card
  • Donations
  • Fundraising
  • Gift Aid
  • Shop
  • Green energy
  • Holidays in the UK
  • Join the RSPB
  • Leave a legacy
  • Recycle your mobile phone
  • Share giving
  • Vehicle breakdown cover
  • Overview
  • Join now
  • Why join?
  • Membership as a gift
  • Membership benefits
  • Renewals
  • Other ways to support us
  • Overview
  • Great days out
  • By habitat
  • By name
  • By location
  • Recent sightings
  • Shops on reserves
  • Overview
  • Around the UK
  • Conservation
  • Document library
  • Farming
  • International
  • Job vacancies
  • News
  • Media centre
  • Policy
  • Reserves
  • Science
  • Teaching
  • Shop homepage
  • Binoculars
  • Bird care
  • Books and DVDs
  • Calendars & diaries
  • Christmas
  • Homeware
  • Toys
  • Virtual gifts
  • Wildlife care
  • Overview
  • For kids
  • Near you
  • Events
  • E-newsletter
  • Fundraising
  • Local groups
  • Reserves
  • Surveys
  • Volunteering
  • Webcams
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Flower borders in front of RSPB The Lodge reserve, Bedfordshire Family Birdwatching through living room window Nestbox on tree, RSPB Wood of Cree reserve
Advice

Gardening

  • Planning and creating a wildlife-friendly garden
  • Planting for wildlife
  • Lawns for wildlife
  • Ponds for wildlife
  • Dead wood for wildlife
  • Homes for mammals
  • Homes for insects
  • Unwanted garden visitors
  • Parking for wildlife

Print this page

Home > Advice > Gardening

Gardening

Planning and creating a wildlife-friendly garden

Whether you want to create a new garden, or have an existing one, patio or balcony, try to imagine your garden is a nature reserve and you are the warden. More...

Woman watering flowers

Planting for wildlife

A wildlife friendly garden doesn't have to be wild or overgrown, but can look attractive all year round. Growing a wide variety of plants offers wildlife food and shelter. More...

Close up on berries and leaves of variegated holly

Peat-free gardening

The large-scale removal of peat from bogs in Britain and Ireland is destroying one of our most precious wildlife habitats. It takes centuries for a peat bog to form, with its special wildlife - modern machinery destroys it in days. More...

Lochans and peat bog, Forsinard

Chemical-free pest control

Chemical control can be harmful to the environment and wildlife that may not be the problem species the chemicals are aimed at. Many of the species persecuted are not actually harmful to gardens, or can be effectively controlled. More...

Hedgehog

Lawns for wildlife

The lawn is the focal point of many gardens. It's a place to let off steam or sit and relax, but also a valuable habitat for wildlife. More...

Blackbird

Ponds for wildlife

Almost any water body, whatever its size, will have some wildlife value, even if only as a drinking place for birds. However, this value can be greatly increased if the pond is well designed and maintained. More...

Common toad

Dead wood for wildlife

An important, but often overlooked, element of the garden is the presence of dead and decaying wood. More...

Woodpiles provides a valuable habitat for mosses, lichens and fungi as well as insects, which provide a source of food for birds

Homes for mammals

Several types of mammals visit gardens and what you can attract depends on where you live and the surrounding landscape and habitats. More...

Hedgehog

Homes for insects

Insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies feed on aphids and other insects considered less beneficial in the garden. Bumblebees, solitary bees and wasps are also very useful as a natural form of pest control. Others help with pollinating plants around the garden. More...

Hoverfly

Homes for reptiles and amphibians

The UK only has a few reptiles and amphibians. Most are shy and seldom seen and soon react to vibrations from approaching feet or shadows cast by humans. None are poisonous or dangerous and can be attracted into your garden. More...

Grass snake slithering through vegetation

What can I do?

Make your home and garden richer in wildlife by following the simple wildlife gardening advice that we provide and carry out your own wildlife surveys.

Register for Homes for Wildlife

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

Contact us

Visit our Contact us section for telephone numbers, office addresses and more.

Latest news

UK wins deal on set-aside

The UK has defied the rest of Europe and won the right to help its farmland wildlife.

Insect shortage leaves sparrows starving

One of Britain’s best-known birds may be declining because its chicks have too little to eat.

Brussels threat to British birds

Europe’s farm ministers could tonight put British wildlife in even greater jeopardy.

More news...

Add your voice for nature

As a charity, we rely on the support of members to continue our work protecting birds and wildlife.

Join now from only £2.84/month.

Free e-newsletter

Over 200,000 people enjoy our monthly e-mail newsletter.

Why not sign up?

Contact us
© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
Privacy policy
Last published: 07/11/2007 12:45:02
Show/hide picture credits
Woman watering flowers - Bob Glover (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2001_3119_546 )
Close up on berries and leaves of variegated holly - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2001_2534_009)
Lochans and peat bog at the RSPB Forsinard nature reserve, Scotland - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 6112150_00091_002)
Hedgehog - Niall Benvie
Blackbird - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Common toad - Katie Fuller
A woodpile provides a valuable habitat for mosses, lichens and fungi as well as insects, which are a source of food for birds. - RSPB - John Day
Hedgehog - Niall Benvie
Hoverfly - Ian Dawson (RSPB)
Grass snake slithering through vegetation - Graham Catley
Flower borders in front of RSPB The Lodge reserve, Bedfordshire - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1999_0503_009 )
Family Birdwatching through living room window - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Nestbox on tree, RSPB Wood of Cree reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_11968_0009 )
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)