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compost pile for wildlife

hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
in Wildlife gardening
I have two black plastic lidded bins which food scraps etc go into (with green and brown garden stuff too). But I was keen to make a pile of twigs/leaves etc which would be left undisturbed for wildlife. Has anyone tried it? Any suggestions? I'd like to know what works well in terms of size/structure and things to add/leave out. I am also going to make something to make leafmould in too, I suppose that might also attract some wildlife!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - just pile up logs/branches/twigs/pine cones etc in a corner somewhere. I've always done it. It'll get used regardless of size - overwintering insects don't need a space the size that a hedgehog would use, for example, so anything is useful. A handful of spent stems from lilies or similar provides hiding places for insects. I often put those in behind shrubs etc  :)
    For leaf mould, you can either make a basic cage with chicken wire and 4 posts/battens, but you can also use black bin bags [with holes] or builders' bags. The main thing is to make sure they're damp. In some areas of the country which have drought for weeks/months, that might mean you'd need to soak them occasionally. It'll take around a year to 18 months to be viable, depending on the leaves. I've not found anything uses it as such, but there will be beetles/worms etc I expect. It's a different break down process from compost though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    My veg garden is a chunk carved off on of our sheep fields and to save long walks with gates to open and shut, I have a separate 'compost heap' at the bottom. This is just an area where I dump all the old stems,and harmless weeds to rot down  so that I can mulch the beds when needed.
    It hasn't worked for like that. Last year I couldn't spread any compost  because we found a hedgehog resting/hibernating /living underneath the black plastic and the general area is also used now by our resident stoat. They may have moved on, but I can't dig out any of the compost currently there or investigate without risking  jeopardising them.
    The veg garden should be clear of mice, rats, slugs and grubs though :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Buttercupdays said:

    The veg garden should be clear of mice, rats, slugs and grubs though :)
    Swings and roundabouts @Buttercupdays eh?  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
    What sort of pile size would a hedgehog need? i'm not convinced we'll get hedgehogs (rather urban) but live in hope! My neighbour saw bats a while ago so not a complete concrete jungle.  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They'll often just use a space in a pile of leaves or similar, or a spot in behind shrubs or similar. They just need a small bit of cover where they feel safe  :)
    We had a small family of them that I think had been displaced from their home due to a fence being renewed. They tucked themselves into a small dry space in behind a Lonicera nitida I had along a fence.  :)
    You'd be surprised how many are in urban areas, and as long as they can move around between gardens easily - gaps under fences etc.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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