If you have plans to start growing your own fruit and vegetables, then the most important thing is to grow things that you know you will enjoy eating. However there are lots of plants that will be enjoyed by wildlife just as much as they will by you! Here are our top recommendations for wildlife friendly fruit and vegetable plants.
Flowering herbs
There’s nothing quite like using your own freshly grown herbs in your cooking, and flowering herbs also provide a feast for pollinators like bees and butterflies. It’s a good idea to plant your herb garden near the house, so you can quickly nip out and grab a few sprigs as you need them.
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sage
- Chives
Vegetables
The flowers from many vegetable plants will provide valuable nectar for pollinators:
- Runner beans
- French beans
- Peas
Fruit
If you have the room, a fruit tree or shrub will produce berries, seeds or nuts for birds and other animals, as well as providing places to shelter and nest. Brambles for example are absolutely fantastic for wildlife! It grows easily in many habitats, and its dense bushes provide hiding places and nesting spots. The flowers provide nectar for butterflies like the brimstone and speckled wood and the blackberries provide food for lots of birds and of course, you! Whatever you plant, just remember to leave some fruits in place for wildlife when you are harvesting.
- Apple
- Cherry
- Plum
- Pear
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
Some final tips
- Plant a range of bee friendly plants nearby to attract bees to pollinate your crops
- Dead-head regularly
- Keep your plants well watered so they stay healthy and produce more nectar
- Don’t use pesticides or insecticides
Whatever you decide to plant, one of the most important things to do is avoid pesticides or insecticides. These kill not only the intended pests, but other beneficial insects too. Luckily, if you are losing a lot of produce to pests, there are plenty of wildlife friendly approaches to take. The most effective, environmentally-friendly and least time-consuming method of pest control is simply to ensure your plot is as wildlife-rich as possible, allowing predators like bats, birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs and ladybirds to keep pests under control. You can also try other approaches such as barriers, relocation or companion planting.
Find out more about growing your own food in a wildlife friendly garden in The Vegan Cook and Gardener, co-written by Piers Warren, who kindly contributed to this post.