Oct 10, 2024 - 5 min reading time
For the past month, we’ve had six special new residents in our garden: six young hedgehogs! The children are over the moon, and even half the neighborhood has already come by to visit. For me, this is the ultimate proof that our garden, after two years of planning and adjustments, has become a safe haven for these wonderful creatures. It’s an animal-friendly garden where nature can take its course, and that feels amazing 🙂.
"Would you like to have a hedgehog-friendly garden too? Read on to discover how you can transform your garden into a safe haven for hedgehogs and other animals, while also creating an eco-friendly and sustainable garden."
Why are hedgehogs in your garden actually a good idea?
Hedgehogs are not only incredibly cute but also very useful. They eat slugs, caterpillars, and other insects you’d rather not find in your vegetable patch or flower beds. A hedgehog-friendly garden fits perfectly with an ecological garden design, as it promotes biodiversity and supports natural balance. A garden that attracts hedgehogs is often low-maintenance and beneficial for other animals like birds and butterflies as well, providing plenty of food and ample overwintering opportunities for creatures like caterpillars.
Tips for a hedgehog-friendly, animal-friendly garden
Want to welcome hedgehogs to your garden? Make your garden hedgehog-proof with these simple modifications:
- Create a Wild Corner
Leave a messy spot in your garden with leaves and branches. This provides hedgehogs with a cozy hiding place where they can feel safe and build a nest. It's perfect for an eco-friendly garden where nature is free to do its thing. - Native Plants
Choose plants that occur naturally in the Netherlands. Native plants attract more insects, which in turn provides food for hedgehogs. In addition, these plants enhance your garden's ecosystem. - Create a Hedgehog Passage
Hedgehogs cover considerable distances during their nightly adventures. Ensure there’s a small opening under your fence or hedge so they can easily move from garden to garden. A garden design with connectivity is perfect for promoting wildlife friendliness. - Provide safe water
Hedgehogs are regularly thirsty, but are not very good swimmers. Put a low water bowl in your yard or make sure your pond has a gentle slope so hedgehogs can drink safely. - Prevent Hazards
Make sure there are no areas where hedgehogs could get trapped, such as tight mesh or deep holes. Also, protect your garden from harmful pesticides; these are not only harmful to insects but also to the hedgehogs that feed on them. - Make or buy a hedgehog house where hedgehogs can safely hibernate. Below you can see our hedgehog house. Now let's hope they will take up residence too.
A garden design that makes a difference
Hedgehogs are struggling in the Netherlands, so a garden tailored to their needs can truly make a difference. Whether you live in Amsterdam, Waterland, or elsewhere in the Netherlands, I’d be happy to help you create an ecological garden design that suits both your preferences and nature.
During the design process, we can shape your garden into an eco-friendly and animal-friendly space. Think about using native plants, creating shelters, and enhancing biodiversity. Whether you're creating a new garden or adjusting your current one, I’m happy to provide personalized gardening advice to make your garden attractive to hedgehogs and other wildlife.
With a few simple adjustments, you can transform your garden into a paradise for hedgehogs. Want to learn more about how a hedgehog-friendly garden fits into a sustainable and ecological garden design? Get in touch with me! Together, we'll create a garden that’s not only beautiful but also beneficial—for nature, wildlife, and you.
Need garden advice in Noord-Holland, Waterland, or Amsterdam? I specialize in eco-friendly and animal-friendly garden designs. Whether you want to create a new garden or adjust an existing one, I’d be happy to help you.