Garden Wildlife

It's Important to Care for Wildlife

Without wildlife, a garden would be a sterile place, if it managed to exist at all.

According to the bible, Adam and Eve were the first gardeners.

They were instructed to work in the Garden of Eden and to take care of it. The garden was intended to provide for all their physical needs.

They were also given responsibility for the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and every living creature that moves on the ground.

Gardeners today have the opportunity to help fulfil that mandate - to provide for -their own needs along with the needs of the animals, birds, fish and insects that share this living space with us.

There are all kinds of things we can do to encourage wildlife and they don't need to be expensive or take a great deal of effort.

In return, those wild creatures will pay us back handsomely, helping our gardens to thrive and providing endless entertainment, education and pure pleasure for us all

It must be recognised, however, that what one person welcomes into their garden as wildlife, another treats as a pest because of the damage inflicted on their garden.

The fox, for example, is one of the most popular wildlife creatures in the UK and yet many gardeners and allotment keepers prefer to keep foxes well away from their plots.

You'll find suggestions for discouraging foxes in our Garden Pests section, where you can also learn how to encourage foxes to your garden should you be so inclined.

Much the same may be said of other creatures such as Rabbits or Pigeons.