Nature friendly gardening - Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust

Whether you’ve got a windowsill, a small garden or a big piece of land – from building a bug hotel to creating a garden pond – here are some ideas for things you can do to help wildlife.

Wilder green spaces and verges

Boost biodiversity by letting local verges and green spaces grow wilder.

How to grow a wild patch

Set aside an area of lawn, part of a border, or even a large container and watch the bees and butterflies buzz in.

How to build a pond

A wildlife pond is one of the single best features for attracting new wildlife to the garden.

How to create a container garden for wildlife

Introduce more wildlife features into a small space using pots and containers.

How to build a mini-pond

Even a small pond can be home to an interesting range of wildlife!

How to attract butterflies to your garden

Provide food for caterpillars and choose nectar-rich plants for butterflies and you’ll have a colourful, fluttering display in your garden for months.

How to attract bumblebees to your garden

Bumblebees are important pollinating insects, but they are under threat. You can help them in your garden by planting bumblebee-friendly flowers.

How to make a bee hotel

Solitary bees are important pollinators and a gardener’s friend. Help them by building a bee hotel for your home or garden and watch them buzz happily about their business.

How to make a new build garden for wildlife

Use the blank canvas of your new build garden to make your new home a home for wildlife too!

How to make a hedgehog house

By providing safe places for hedgehogs to live, you’re much more likely to see these prickly creatures in your garden.

Go peat free!

Peatlands are vital wildlife habitats – let’s keep them that way. Take action with a pledge to only use peat free products in your garden.

How to encourage newts or other amphibians to your garden

Ponds, compost heaps and log piles are all great for wildlife, and will help encourage newts, frogs and toads to make your garden their home.

Create your own compost

Instead of sending your green waste to landfill, create your own compost. All you need is waste, air and water!

Install a swift box

Swifts became added to the red list of conservation concern in 2021. You can help them by adding a swift box to your home or place of work.

Case studies

Be inspired by actions that others are taking for nature – like Anna’s urban garden, using recycled materials in the car park around her flat.