Wildlife friendly gardens competition

As gardens become increasingly important strongholds for native wildlife, a competition has been launched to find the most wildlife friendly gardens in Dorset.

Dorset Wildlife Trust has joined forces with the Gardens Group to launch a competition to help recognise the important contribution gardeners are making to the conservation of the county’s wildlife.

Joy Wallis, People and Wildlife Co-ordinator at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The countryside and other urban open spaces are often unwelcoming, sterile and do not have the range of micro-habitats many gardeners supply.   

“We want to encourage gardeners across the county who are providing a haven for wildlife.  The judges will be looking for gardens, however small, that welcome wildlife and so form a vital stepping stone between other suitable habitats.”

The Wildlife Friendly Garden Competition is open to all Dorset gardens, from a small patio to a large garden, which is more of an integral part of the countryside.  Judging will be in different size categories and entries can be from individuals, community or school gardens, a group of neighbours or even a whole street.  Gardens will need to provide a variety of sources of food such as nectar-rich flowers, seed and fruit planting with various sources of water, shelter and places to breed.  

Entry to the competition is free.  Forms are available to download from www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wgc or www.thegardeneronline.co.uk, or from Castle Gardens, Sherborne, Poundbury Gardens, Dorchester and Dorset Wildlife Trust centres at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows and the Urban Wildlife Centre.  Closing date is 10 May.   For more information, please contact Joy Wallis at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.

Prizes, which include a wildlife friendly collection of plants, gardening vouchers and books, will be presented by renowned eco-gardener Clive Farrell at a wildlife friendly gardening event at Castle Gardens, Sherborne on 15th July. 

Wildlife Friendly garden features could include:

Wildlife Pond
Bog or permanently wet area
Bird bath
Bird Box
Wild flower meadow
Long grass area
Nectar rich flower border and bushes
Mixed Native Hedge
Mature native tree
Log pile and/or substantial decaying tree stump
Compost heap
No-go area
Climbing plants/trellises suitable for nesting and
Slug pellet free