Gardens
This category covers backyards, gardens, allotment gardens, and many more. These are the places where we are closest to nature and where we can live and do what we want. Therefore, it is here that most of us can make a difference for biodiversity.
So the question is almost, what do YOU want to do? Replant the lawn and make it a flowery meadow with wild Danish flowers? Increase the number of breeding birds by building nesting boxes in all the trees? Dig a waterhole and watch dragonflies and water beetles settle in?
Good initiatives in the garden:
Flowers It is always a good idea to have many sources of nectar and pollen. Make sure that both are available for the insects who live off these resources throughout the year. And remember that our insects are adapted to the original local flora, so plant native Danish flowers and plants.
Gravel A small pile of gravel, mite and broken stones is paradise for single bees and other insects, which dig their homes into the ground. In addition, many spiders and beetles thrive in these piles. This is because such a pile has a good temperature like the city’s ruderates. So create your own little garden ruderate and watch life swarm!
Thicket fence When you are gardening during spring and autumn, this often includes cutting bushes and trees. You should not waste time taking these branches and twigs to the recycling station; instead you can pile it up in the back of the yard and create a perfect breeding spot for birds and hedgehogs. Both wrens and blackbirds love piles of twigs when they are looking for nesting spots. If, however, you think that a pile of branches and twigs is too messy, a thicket fence has the exact same effect.
Waterhole Water is essential for all life. Therefore, if you do make a waterhole in your garden, you are not just creating a habitat for a wide array of insects and plants, which live in water, but you are also providing drinking water for both birds and animals. No matter what, it is always a really good idea to have a bird bath in the garden as a source of drinking water for birds and animals.
Test how good your garden is with The Garden’s Biodiversity Score Card!
The Garden’s Biodiversity Scorecard
The city’s parks and gardens are already home to many different animals and plants. Without a lot of effort it is however possible to make space for even more species if you are willing to make room for nature.
The biodiversity scorecard is an easy way to get an overview and gain inspiration of how nature friendly one’s own garden or nearby park is. With this scorecard, the area’s biodiversity potential is determined based on several criteria, which evaluate how many habitats there are.
City gardens will rarely receive the maximum amount of points as they often lack space, but with only a few and very manageable initiatives, it is possible to increase the score while at the same time being able to offer more animals and plants a living area in the city. If you join with your neighbour, several of the criteria can be shared and the total biodiversity score for the two gardens will inevitably be larger than an individual garden could obtain on its own.
Take the test here: The Garden's Biodiversity Scorecard!