In The Garden

Plant a native tree - Trees create important habitats for many insects, birds and plants and are important for air purification. Make sure that the trees, bushes and flowers that you plant are native species. Scroll to the 'Think Native' section at the bottom of this page for list of appropriate native species to plant.

Do not grow invasive alien species in your garden - Before choosing plants for your garden or pond, make sure that they are not invasive, non-native species. Ask for advice in your garden and request plants from local origin and from certified sources. See the Invasive Species Ireland Horticulture Guidelines. Find out more on Invasive Species in our special feature

Avoid using pesticides and fertilisers - Don't feel bad about not weeding or feeding your lawn, it's better for biodiversity!

Do not use slug pellets - these will not only kill slugs, they will also kill the birds who feed on slugs and subsequently absorb the toxic pellets

Create a wildlife area in your garden - let part of your garden grow freely and see what plants and animals appear. You could consider planting some of the following native species in your wildlife area: grasses such as sweet vernal, meadow foxtail, red fescue and common bent, along with wildflowers such as cowslip, lady's smock, cat's ear, ox-eye daisy, and meadow buttercup. This wild area should be cut once a year in early July and the cuttings removed. A wildlife area such as this will attract butterflies and it will also provide cover for frogs, mammals and insects.

Attract birds to your garden - Get a bird box, bird table or hanging feeder for your garden / balcony. Birds eat aphids and other gardeners’ pests and play an important part in the web of biodiversity in the garden.

Compost - Buy a compost bin and make your own compost or buy peat-free compost for your garden - you will cut down on your waste generation and will create nutrient rich compost to improve soil health and fertilise your garden.

Collect rainwater - Collect rainwater rather to water your flowers - you will cut down on the amount of water wastage

Set your mower blades to high and always keep them sharp - Dull blades will tear the grass, damaging the plant, making it require more water than healthy plants.

In a drought, don’t waste water on a lawn - If your lawn is beginning to turn brown during drought, you do not need to water it, it will revive after normal rainfall resumes.

Water in the morning or at night - if you must water your garden, do so in the morning or at night to prevent evaporation. One inch of water a week is better than several short showers.

Don't use electrical equipment like leaf-blowers - they consume so much energy for so little gain. Use a rake instead - it's better for your health too!

Take time out to sit out in your backyard with friends and family to appreciate the beauty of nature!

Think Native!

If you plant a native Irish tree such as oak, rowan or birch, it will support more native plants, birds, animals and insects than an exotic tree would. For example, a native oak tree growing in Ireland can support about 290 different species of plants, animals, birds and insects for food and shelter. Our native trees are also an important part of Ireland’s rich natural heritage.

Trees provide countless benefits to the earth and to humans; they produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, protect soil, prevent flooding and store and recycle nutrients and provide a vital raw material. So they are vital in the fight against climate change too.

Depending on your size of garden, here’s some suggested native Irish trees and shrubs that are widely available:

Flowers for all gardens

Bluebell (Hyacinoides non-scripta), Cowslips (Primula veris), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), St. Johns wort (Hypericum), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Bluebells, (Hyacinoides non-scripta)

Shrubs for all gardens

Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus), Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclumenum), Dog Rose (Rosa canina), Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Trees

Small Gardens

Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Rowan / Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia), Wild cherry (Prunus avium), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris), Strawberry Tree (Arbutas unedo)

Medium gardens – suitable trees

Willow (Salix), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Wild cherry (Prunus avium), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Rowan / Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia), Hazel (Corylus avellana), Yew (Taxus baccata)

Large gardens – suitable trees

Oak (Quercus robur), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris), Rowan / Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia), Wild Cherry (Prunus avium), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Ash (Fraxinus), Aspen (Populus tremula), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)