Tips for a nature-wise garden

Plants make the garden pleasant, create cooling shadows in hot weather and evaporate water, which reduces the risk of flooding. The type of plants you have in your garden is essential for biodiversity.

A mature tree provides shade and cools the garden down on hot days. When it rains, it absorbs water efficiently through its roots. Trees provide food and habitat for numerous birds, insects and fungi. It takes 40 to 60 years for a tree to reach maturity. This is why every large tree in the garden is important and worth preserving.

Meadows are an important habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Many of these species are endangered as meadows are increasingly rare in Finland. Fortunately, meadows are becoming more popular in cities! When you create even a small meadow in your garden, you are setting the table for pollinating insects.

Plant low-growing and tall plants in the same area, including perennials, shrubs, climbing plants and trees. Layered vegetation of this type means that you can have more plants and biodiversity even in a small area. It provides a wide range of habitats, shelter and feeding places for birds and small animals.

By favouring wild plant species and growing them in multi-species and layered beds, you can support the preservation of natural species and habitats.

Trees and shrubs that flower or produce berries provide food for birds, pollinators and other animals. They also make the garden more colourful and welcoming.

Alien species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. Invasive alien species threaten Finland’s native species and habitats. Do not plant them in your garden, and also remove them if you see them in your local area. Visit vieraslaji.fi for a list of invasive alien species

The soil is the secret to thriving plants, and water is the precondition for life, even in a city. Take care of the soil in your garden and let nature help you manage its water balance!

Over time, the soil accumulates a carbon store and soil biota, which improves the vitality of plants. This is why it is advisable to preserve the natural topsoil when creating a garden. When you leave grass cuttings and fallen leaves on the ground, you are enriching the soil in your garden. You can also recycle the nutrients in your garden by composting garden waste.

Climate change will bring more frequent heavy rainfall as well as the stormwaters and floods caused by it. These adverse effects can be reduced by using permeable surfaces, such as permeable grass pavers, gravel and grass. When rainwater is allowed to soak into the ground, the risk of flooding is reduced and plants have access to water.

Water is an important habitat element for many organisms. You can build a pond or a rain garden in your garden that collects water in rainy weather. Water features provide diverse habitats and living environments for such species as amphibians. A diverse rain garden is also an impressive eye-catcher.

Collecting rainwater and using it for watering plants is a resource-wise option. The stored water will come in particularly handy during dry spells, which are expected to become more common as a result of climate change.
 

You can also use built elements to increase biodiversity in your garden. Decaying wood, bird boxes or green roofs provide habitats and nesting places even in a densely built urban environment.

Decaying wood is valuable, and even a lifeline for many fungi and micro-organisms as well as the birds that feed on them. You can preserve decaying wood in your garden and use it in garden structures. You can build a deadwood fence with twigs and branches or use untreated beams to edge planting beds.

Building bird boxes and artificial nests is a great pastime and very useful for birds, bats and hedgehogs, for example. An insect hotel, in which insects can nest and hibernate, will not take up much space even in a small garden. This is particularly important in areas where there is little decaying wood or suitable holes.

In a densely built-up urban environment, there are relatively few growing green surfaces. We can increase them by building green roofs. A green roof can provide a habitat for plants and pollinators of wet or dry meadows, for instance. It will also help manage the property's rainwaters and even out indoor temperatures.