Wildlife Gardening - August

Put up bat boxes

Make a home for bats in your garden and put up bat boxes on large trees or buildings. Be aware that bats are protected, so avoid trees or buildings that you wish to do work on in the future where possible.

1. You can buy good quality boxes from many suppliers, or if you are feeling crafty you can make your own using the dimensions shown here. Make sure you use untreated wood and choose wood with a rough texture to give bats something to cling to.
2. Site boxes 3-5m above the ground, on trees or houses, in partial sunlight and away from the prevailing wind. A clear flight path to the box is preferential for bats.

Don’t worry if your bat box isn’t used straight away, bats are quite particular and will move around according to time of year.

Meadow management

If your wildflower meadow is now in its second year or older, it will need a cut in August or September. Cut it to a short height (between 5-10cm), then allow the clippings to lie for a few days to let the seeds drop. It is then essential that all cuttings are removed to prevent nutrients building up in the soil. These can be composted.

Install a water butt

Water butts are used to store water from the roofs of buildings following rain. They reduce the amount of water entering the water system during storms, which reduces the pressure on our local rivers. They also provide a free source of water from the garden. Why not install one on your house or shed? If you’d like to try something a bit more challenging, why not create a rain garden from the drainpipe instead of a water butt?