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How To Make a Bug Friendly Garden   arrow

I stepped outside today and even at nine in the morning it felt like my skin was going to melt off. You can’t deny that the summers are just getting hotter and hotter. But we’re not the only things that suffer from the heat. Insects play an essential role in the ecology of the planet. In fact, insect populations around the world are plummeting. So, it’s up to us to help do our part. That’s why this year I’m going to tell you how to make a bug friendly garden.

The Bug Friendly Garden Basics

To start with, stop using pesticides in your garden. Pesticides kill both beneficial and harmful insects. The sad part, the harmful bugs breed more frequently than the good insects. Thus, creating an imbalance of good bugs versus bad bugs. Rethink your ideas of what a perfect garden is, and don’t be so worried by a bit of plant damage. Aphids on your roses, for example, can attract ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies that will eat them up in due time. Another thing you can do is to build a log pile in the heart of your garden. This will encourage insects that eat dead wood to come around and stop by for a snack.

And honestly, something every garden should have is a compost heap. Not only does it lead to you having some extra good, quality compost; but it will also encourage heap dwelling insects such as springtails, beetles, or bumblebees. Not sure what compost is? Compost is decayed organic material that becomes a natural fertilizer. You already have the ingredients needed for making compost. Having a salad? The leftovers work great as compost. Love coffee? The used coffee grounds are another wonderful product. Any plant material left over from your kitchen creates a good quality compost.

The best thing you can do for any bug friendly garden, though, is to dig a pond.  It will create a habitat for dragon and damselflies, water boatmen, pond skaters and water beetles, such as whirligigs or diving beetles, as well as providing a drink for passing wildlife such as armadillos or a thirsty bumblebee.