Our expert Adrian Thomas is here to help you turn your outdoor space into a brilliant place for relaxing or entertaining, while still doing your bit for wildlife. Whatever your gardening experience and whatever the size of your space, Adrian has the tips and tricks that will work for you.
Over the next few weeks, Adrian will be sharing his new videos and know-how on each of our top ten ideas listed. So come back regularly to see the latest live articles. Better yet - sign up to our new monthly Nature on Your Doorstep email and get them straight to your in box.
Plants make a space beautiful, sensual and impressive. Whether in your garden, in pots or a window box, it’s an easy way to wow. Plus, by choosing the right plants you’re helping butterflies and bees too.
You don’t need dancing water fountains... Water works a wonder whenever you add it. You’ll find buckets of ways to bring all kinds of wildlife to your patch from ponds to bird baths.
One of the easiest ways to look after your outdoor space is by giving bees and beetles a helping hand. That pile of old leaves or stick; bundle them together and leave them in a quiet corner. The pile will feed and shelter all sorts of wildlife and eventually make great soil for you.
Offer nature a free meal and you’ll see the difference. From shop bought peanuts to some rather handy homegrown goodies, you’ll get lots of happy visitors… and you won’t even have clean-up after your dinner guests.
Location, location, location. Like us nature is looking for their perfect home. You can give them a helping hand; from bird boxes, to bug hotels, homes for hedgehogs, to frog and toad abodes; property development comes in all shapes and sizes.
Some wildlife is more welcome than others. Luckily, nature has some simple ways you can ditch the chemicals and still enjoy your precious blooms. Get the mix right for your nature pals and you’ll be on to a winning formula.
Birds, bees, hedgehogs, frogs, butterflies; they like to mix things up a bit and move between gardens. Give them a hedgehog highway, a green wall or hedge. Make it easy for them, without upsetting your human neighbours.
Your outdoor space must work for you. For entertaining and BBQs. For kids to play. Or for lazy, hazy summer days. But remember, it’s outdoors! Even the smallest space can still be perfect for both you and the nature on your doorstep.
After all that work, take time to stop and enjoy what nature can offer you. Pull up a seat, grab a cuppa, tune out the noise of modern life and tune into the relaxing sound of bird song.
Share your success on our new dedicated Nature on Your Doorstep community, give plants you’ve grown to friends and family, share photos or video of what you do on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, inspire people and help it become your new normal.
UK gardens cover around 433,000 hectares (4,330 sq kms) of land. That’s about three times the size of Greater London! RSPB’s nature reserves cover just 2%. Now imagine all those gardens, back yards and balconies working together as one network for nature.
That’s why Barratt Developments is sponsoring the RSPB, the UKs largest nature conservation charity, to ask you to do your bit for birds, butterflies and bees.
Nature on Your Doorstep is sponsored by Barratt Developments PLC, who is supporting the RSPB to get gardens, balconies and other outdoor spaces blooming and buzzing with life. Read about our wider partnership and commitments to nature-friendly homes.
