Rewilding Your Own Garden: 7 Steps to Make Your Neighbors Think You’ve Lost Your Mind
Have you ever visited a fancy estate and thought, “I wish my garden could look like this, but with more chaos and animals running around”? Well, you’re in luck because the Knepp rewilding project has inspired people to bring their gardening game to the next level – the wild level.
At Knepp, they receive tons of letters from gardeners who have been inspired by their nature-friendly approach to gardening. They want to know if they too can turn their garden into a wildlife sanctuary. The answer is a resounding “yes,” but be warned, your neighbors might think you’ve gone completely bonkers.
The first step is to stop using chemicals and peat. Sure, your garden might look a little wilder with all those weeds, but the bees and insects will love it. Plus, you can always tell your snobby neighbors that you’re bringing back the good old days of English countryside gardening.
Next, plant nectar-rich plants and fruiting trees. Not only will they attract all sorts of birds and butterflies, but you’ll also make some killer jams and pies.
Instead of installing a fence, use hedges. Nothing says “wilderness” like not knowing where your property ends and the next person’s begins. Plus, hedges make for great hiding places for all sorts of critters.
You need to have a pond. Yes, that’s right, a pond. And make sure it’s not one of those sad, tiny ones you find in your local garden center. No, we’re talking about a big, natural-looking pond that’s perfect for frogs and dragonflies. Your neighbors might start to think you’re a witch, but who cares? You’ll be too busy watching all the wildlife that the pond attracts.
Turn your lawn into a wildflower meadow. Sure, you could have a neatly trimmed lawn, but where’s the fun in that? Plus, all those flowers will attract bees and other pollinators that are crucial to the environment.
Finally, install all sorts of bird boxes, birdbaths, and feeders, and even a hedgehog and bat box because why not? You’ll look like the modern-day Snow White. Just be sure to embrace your inner Disney princess and sing to your new animal friends.
So, there you have it, folks. Seven steps to turn your garden into a wild oasis. Your neighbors might think you’ve lost your mind, but you’ll know that you’re doing your part to help the environment. Plus, you’ll have a front-row seat to all sorts of wildlife shenanigans.
