Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Hardcastle on October 6, 2010 at 9:55

I always place a pile of logs in an undisturbed spot. They become home for many different species of insects, especially beetles and sometimes for mice.

Permalink Reply by Susan Walter on October 7, 2010 at 10:53

I don't think solitary bees would use a something as large as an upturned pot, but it might attract bumblebees (which are not solitary) if it was sited somewhere shaded and hidden - under loose plant material, long grass, maybe pebbles. An added attraction would be if you provided a bit of soft dry nesting material - fine dry grass, dry moss or leaves. Depending on size it might be used by hornets too. I'd be slightly worried that it might just act as a pitfall trap for non-flying insects such as ground beetles. The addition of nesting material would help them escape.

For solitary bees you need either a 'bee hotel' or some bare warm dry earth. A block of wood with a series of holes minimum 8mm diameter by 15cm long is the best, placed in a sunny spot, at any level from ground upwards. Even easier is to leave some bare earth in warm sunny undisturbed spots. It only needs to be the size of your palm. Solitary bees don't share individual nests, but they do like company, so will tend to nest where others can nest next to them. The dirt between irregularly shaped pavers is good.

One way of selling the pile of logs or prunings idea to clients is that neatly arranged piles work better than a pile of randomly dumped stuff (unless it's huge). This is because a neat regular shape maintains a more constant and reliable humidity level. Ideally you need more than one, so that some are in the shade and some in the sun, and will attract a different assemblage of species. Log piles in the sun work very well for lizards.

I find that piles of straw or grass clippings work extremely well, both in sun and in shade. I've had grass snakes nesting and hibernating. Surprisingly, small mammals such as shrews and voles choose to nest in these piles too. The snakes must have been overjoyed to find lunch so close at hand!

Permalink Reply by Selina Botham on February 4, 2011 at 8:51

I love this topic - what great ideas and i think it would be rather fun seeing balls hanging from trees, I am sure the sculptor who worked on my Hampton Court garden would have some beautiful and creative ideas..I'll ask her!

About the logs --I have set up log piles at the Housing Association garden that just won Best Communal Garden in the New Homes Garden Awards.  

I'd neatly arranged the logs in artistic fashion (or so I thought) around the mini bog garden and then a pile under the amelanchier tree right at the back of the border close to the fence.  The fence is old and had small gaps through to the 'living landscape' beyond.  I was really pleased that I had been able to pursuade my Housing Association client to let me add the features..  Its a long story ...she is completely terrified of any creepy crawlies!!  Anyway the funny thing is that despite my maintenance instructions the gardeners simply  'tidied' the lot up!!!   I redid them and asked the client to speak to the gardeners and so far they remain.  

The garden is a communal garden for a sheltered scheme for a Housing Trust in Reigate and I am glad that the scheme is providing more shelter than I think they realise!!

 

Permalink Reply by Chris Collins on February 9, 2011 at 8:13

Never had a visit to out bee hotel and we have had it years. Its placed behind a sedum as its one of the latest things to flower that will attract bees in our garden. Maybe our next place will be better. 

 

Gravel is a great place for insects to sunbathe & dry off if its a water born one. 

 

Leave tree stumps in ground for stag beetles.

 

Diversity within the garden. Nature loves diversity so the more variations of different environments the better. So no big block mono cultures. Edges are where a higher concentration of things are as here is where 2 environments meet enabling both good shelter & hunting. E.g. edge of woodland & pond edge.

 

My own little pond is designed with frogs in mind. As well as a gravel beach for all to drink from there is another beach(only 150mm wide) hidden on top by same stone as whats used a pond edging. This enables not just a place to hide but the frogs & toads can travel to and from the pond with added security from cats & birds. There's a waterfall about a foot higher than the water which has a hibernation hole inside. Just at water level the is the entrance to a chamber. I had to replace the ribbed plastic hose a couple of years ago so had to remove the top few stones. There where lots of little egg shells which i assumed where from the newts. Nice to see it had been used by wildlife. 

Permalink Reply by Rose Lennard on February 9, 2011 at 8:40

Lots of great ideas and inspiration here!

Mason bee nesting tubes have been very well used in my sunny front garden, with solitary bees coming and going for months until all the tubes are full and plugged with soil (or occasionally a leaf from a leaf cutter bee. They are basically just a container of some sort filled with cardboard tubes of just the right diameter, and fixed to a south facing wall at about head height and away from overhanging foliage. We take ours into the shed or garage over winter and then put them out again once the worst of the weather is past, to hatch out. Replacement tubes will be needed this year!