7 ideas to support biodiversity in your garden or on your balcony

The facts are undeniable: biodiversity is declining at a rate never seen before. The pressure on biodiversity is significant, with 30%* of negative impacts being caused by the destruction and artificialization of natural environments.

But to tackle the collapse of biodiversity, everyone can contribute in their own way by trying to better protect local fauna and flora. And the good news is that you don’t need to own hectares of land to make a difference. Simple balconies or small urban gardens can become true refuges for biodiversity... as long as they are properly designed.

Why is it important to act for biodiversity, even at home?

Biodiversity is in danger. The disappearance of pollinating insects, the scarcity of birds and the standardization of plant species are all a cause for concern. Especially since everyone’s lifestyles are directly threatened by the degradation of biodiversity, particularly due to the disappearance of 35%* of pollinator species that serve as human food, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes (such as pulses) and crops that can be turned into oils.

As such, it is urgent that we act, starting at your own home! Acting at our scale means creating "micro-habitats" which are favorable to local species. And if that seems trivial, imagine the total surface of each garden, balcony, or rooftop in your home region: even small actions can make a difference.

1. Choose local and nectar-producing plants

Adapted to their region (climate, seasons…), local species are much more resilient than exotic ones. They also require less watering, less care and less fertilizer. Moreover, wildlife is accustomed to local plants: animals have naturally found shelter and food there for a long time.

Whether in your garden or on your balcony:

• Favor native plants, meaning those naturally present in your region, which are better adapted to the climate and the needs of local insects.
• Choose nectar-producing plants that are also rich in pollen, which offer a lot of food for pollinators: lavender, phacelia, borage, viburnum tinus, etc.
• Focus on diversity (several plant families and species) to stagger blooms throughout the season and provide a continuous resource to insects.

2. Diversify natural habitats in your garden

If you have a house with a garden, you can turn it into a true biodiversity refuge. For this to be a success, it is essential to diversify habitats. Thus, birds, insects, amphibians, plants and more will each find a suitable space to settle and thrive.

All kinds of habitats can be created. Some are very easy to install, others require a bit more effort to set them up. Let’s break it down!

Easy habitats to set up

It’s not always necessary to completely transform your garden. With a few simple actions, you can already create rich and varied environments.

For example:

• Leave a pile of wood in a corner for several years (it will likely become a refuge for hedgehogs, among others).
• Collect dead leaves during winter.
• Place broken flower pots upside down to welcome lizards.
• Stack stones in a natural way, without being too organized.
• Keep a tree trunk in a quiet corner of the garden.
• Create a small sandy area etc.

Ponds

The pond is one of the richest habitats in biodiversity, as frogs, newts, dragonflies and more will quickly thrive there. If you can (and you have the space and motivation), don’t hesitate to create a small pond in a sunny area of your garden.

But before you start, several points should be considered:

• Dimensions.
• Choice of sealing materials.
• Plants to favor (avoiding exotic species).
• Suitable fauna and flora (forget goldfish, which are omnivore predators, so they have an impact on biodiversity).
• Regular maintenance the area will require.

Compost

Rather simple to set up, compost is a valuable ally. It recycles organic waste, produces excellent natural fertilizer, and creates a great ecosystem. If well designed, a compost store will shelter a wide biodiversity: micro-organisms, fungi, earthworms, slugs, etc.

These little creatures play an essential role: they transform waste into compost and, once in the garden, help aerate the soil and promote plant growth.

Hedges

A hedge is an ideal refuge, especially for birds. The best solution is to opt for a country hedge that mixes several local species of trees and shrubs, like maple, hornbeam or alder buckthorn.

You can also include native evergreen species for winter, such as ivy, holly, yew and beech. It’s a good idea to add plants that produce berries and fruits for wildlife: hawthorn, wild rose, elderberry, currant, etc.

3. Create shelters for wildlife

Providing a refuge is often just a matter of layout. These shelters will mostly serve as resting and breeding sites. You can install them in your garden or on your balcony:

• Insects: install an insect hotel. You can build it yourself with wood, hollow stems, pine cones and so forth.
• Birds: place a nest box suitable for local species (tits, robins…) and a small water spot (to be changed every 2 days to avoid mosquitoes).
• Hedgehogs and amphibians (in gardens only): leave an untended corner with dead leaves, a woodpile, or stones.

4. Zero pesticides, zero chemical fertilizers

Insecticides, molluscicides, herbicides… All these chemicals aim to fight “pests.” But even at a small scale, they have a direct impact on the environment and threaten biodiversity, especially if they are not selective.

Some tips to replace them:

• Prevention is the best solution. By supporting biodiversity in your garden, you create a rich environment that welcomes natural predators to regulate pests. For example, hedgehogs are effective against slugs, ladybugs against aphids, etc. Biodiversity helps avoid pesticides!
• Opt for natural fertilizers (compost, nettle slurry and coffee grounds are all effective).
• Learn to coexist with some “invasive” species or to use companion plants to limit pests (for example, plant fennel near lettuce to protect your crop from slugs, lavender protects roses from aphids etc.)
• If your garden or balcony has already been invaded, choose ecological solutions. Whether dealing with rodents, slugs, diseases or other challenges, many natural solutions exist.

This also applies to plants and flowers on your balconies!

5. Leave room for “organized mess”

Don’t worry, supporting biodiversity doesn’t mean letting your land run wild. That said, not everything needs to be trimmed and mowed: it’s possible to let nature take its place in certain garden areas or at certain times.

The ideal is to create a “wild zone”. Even one square meter of tall grass is enough to welcome butterflies and grasshoppers. Let wild plants grow spontaneously (dandelions, clovers, nettles…), without mowing or chemicals.

It is also advised to tolerate a few “undesirables”, whether small critters or weeds. Their presence matters because they are part of the food chain of useful garden species. As long as they don’t become invasive, these “undesirables” are welcome!

6. Manage water in an eco-friendly way

If you have a garden, you already know it can use a lot of water. Fortunately, there are several ways to save water:

• Limit watering when it rains regularly.
• Collect rainwater and even water used to cook your food.
• Don’t water during the day to avoid evaporation. Opt for mornings or evenings.
• Favor drought-resistant plants: stonecrop, sedum, santolina, rosemary etc…
• For balcony plants, place a saucer under pots to collect excess water and avoid waste.

7. Think in unison with your neighbors

Unity is strength! In cities, where green spaces are limited, it’s best to team up with neighbors to have a real impact on biodiversity preservation. One “green” balcony is good, but several connected balconies are better! So don’t hesitate to talk with neighbors about these small actions that you could all implement.

More and more community gardens or shared vegetable plots are being created: consider joining in the adventure!

Testimonials from our members

Our members have got it right. Here are a few of their testimonials:

“We have a bird feeder and a birdhouse in the courtyard of our building and in the neighborhood garden.” – Elisabeth

“I’ve had an uncut patch of grass for a long time, built a birdhouse that’s used every year by a couple of coal tits, and I only trim my hedge at the end of August. I even have a ladybug hotel, but they don’t like it.” – Aurélie

Whether you’re in the city or in the countryside, you can become a player in the ecological transition, starting today, at home. Are you ready to join the adventure?

Source: biodiversité.gouv.fr