It is worth protecting all wild animals and their living places. This also applies to our smallest garden allies. After all, if it weren't for the pollinating insects, we wouldn't be eating tasty fruit. The "flying gardeners" who help us get rid of pests, such as troublesome aphids, are also useful. Therefore, in my garden, I planted appropriate plants and created the best conditions for butterflies, bees, bumblebees, but also hedgehogs, lizards and frogs to feel safe and he althy.
Apiary and honey bees
There is an apiary in the cherry orchard.It is thanks to the honey bees that I became interested in wild pollinating insects, incl. bumblebees and solitary bees. I learned that these insects are endangered species. They lack food and places for nests. The old village gardens were full of colorful flowers, so fond of insects. Currently, flower plots are less and less common, and their place is taken by trimmed lawns and conifers.
Animal-friendly corner
Ecologically oriented, next to the vegetable garden I have created such a rural corner. It included nasturtium, sweet peas, onets, bindweed, marigold, bearded carnation, sage and lavender. The selected flowers attracted a lot of insect species. I want to plant more plants next year, incl. dahlias, zinnia, rudbeckia, gilt and catnip.
Remember that reptiles and amphibians are protected in our country. This also applies to hedgehogs. I mention it because on the plot I sometimes meet sand lizards.Where I see them, I planted low shrubs among the bark and stones, incl. my favorite mountain pine. The lizards liked it too, because on sunny days they bask lazily in the warmth. It happens that I also see hedgehogs on the plot, and one wintered in a pile of leaves in an apiary. These lovable animals feed on snails, pests and their larvae. On the other hand, the burrow under the thicket of nasturtium leaves is favored by the frog - the earth burbot. This is a very useful amphibian, because his favorite menu is the Colorado potato beetle.
Bee nest
Under the roof of the old hut I placed a nest made of reeds, where solitary bees could lay their eggs. As for bumblebees, they were very eager to fly to raspberry bushes. That's where I decided to set up special houses for them. However, this year insects did not populate them.
I strongly encourage everyone who has such an opportunity to set up country-style gardens. They are not only beautiful, but also useful, because they are a "canteen" for insects.And if we come across a wild animal in our garden, let's find out more about it. Maybe it will turn out to be a protected species worth helping. Our plot will become his mainstay.
Sylwia Sawczuk
