Boosting Biodiversity in Your Ongar Garden

 

Boosting Biodiversity in Your Ongar Garden

Ongar may be a thriving suburban community, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a slice of nature right outside our doors. In fact, your garden can be a powerful tool in helping boost biodiversity — a term that simply means the variety of life in a particular area. From pollinators like bees and butterflies to native plants and birds, small actions by homeowners can add up to a big impact on our local environment.

Why Biodiversity Matters
Healthy ecosystems help regulate our climate, clean our air, and pollinate our crops. Urban and suburban areas like Ongar can sometimes seem devoid of wildlife, but the good news is that even a modest garden can help support local biodiversity.

Tips to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

• Plant Native Species: Native plants are adapted to our climate and support local insects and animals. Consider Irish wildflowers like oxeye daisies, red clover, and meadow buttercups.

• Avoid Pesticides: They may kill pests, but they also harm beneficial insects. Try natural alternatives or simply let nature balance itself out.

• Add a Water Source: A small pond or even a shallow birdbath can make your garden a magnet for birds, bees, and frogs.

• Leave Some “Mess”: A log pile or a small area of long grass offers shelter and breeding ground for insects and small mammals.

Get the Kids Involved
Building a bug hotel or planting wildflower seeds can be a fun and educational family activity. It helps kids connect with nature and understand the importance of conservation.

By turning our private gardens into biodiversity havens, we can collectively make a huge difference in preserving the natural world — right here in Ongar.