Up close and personal

[Damian Jay]

This is my first steps into the world of allotmenteering.
I was awarded (I doubt that's the right terminology, but it will do for now. If I find a better word I'll use the edit function) my 'lottie' (See, I'm already learning the lingo) in October. All grown over with grasses, nettles and brambles. It wasn't very high, but it was a mess.

During the clearing process I had my first brush with some wonderful wildlife. Some beautiful butterflies, lots of different birds (which I will attempt to learn the different species. Although I do recognise Blue Tits, Wrens and Robins already) Talking of Robins, I have a very friendly chap (or chapess, I have no idea how to tell them apart) who sits on the boundary fence watching intently as I work away. Sometimes scolding me if I stop for too long.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling and get to the point. While clearing the grass and getting the plot ready to start the serious work I came across a frog hiding under a large chunk of paving slab and a Newt (the first I've ever seen live).

Below are the piccies of these fabulous creatures.
So I have a couple of questions:

1- Are they desirable to have on the plot?
2 - If yes, how do I encourage them to hang around?

[bearded bloke]

Yes you want to make them your friends, they eat slugs, leave a small area "rough" & have a random mound of bricks/wood/bark with gaps in it where they can hide

[bearded bloke]

"Wild areas of the garden, as well as "leaf piles, rocks, logs and garden debris," provide areas in which frogs can forage and hide, they say."
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"Slug pellets are not necessary if you keep frogs (since frogs eat slugs), and can be potentially harmful to the amphibians."

taken from ... How to make your garden frog-friendly | Environment | The Guardian

[Damian Jay]

Thank you :-)
My plot is next to the perimeter fence. On the other side of the fence is a stream so I'm now hoping there's plenty of frogs and newts about.

I have an area that I've planted four fruit trees in with plenty of space for me to create some 'natural environments' for my slug eating friends to come and visit.

Off to Google how to make natural environments for frogs and newts :-)

[veggiechicken]

They obviously like whatever you have there now, Jay. The nearby stream is a bonus. Maybe leave a bit of rough grass near the fence so that they have some cover to come and go.

[noviceveggrower]

I have a stream at the bottom of my plot plus a lot of over grown grasses and trees. So I have frog, toads, newts and foxes. I have no need to put any slug pellets down as the wild life eats them all for me. Plus I have wild bees high up in a tree which I just love having on my plot.
Like all the good advice before me just leave a bit of a natural area for them to live in if you can. Limit your chemical use to minimum if you have to use any at all. I don't use any at all down the allotment.
Great to encourage the smaller birds to. They will eat grubs and caterpillars for you.

[arpoet]

I had some garden ponds years ago and the frogs still come looking for love in the spring. Many over winter under stone and in crevices. Like the others say, leave lots of space for wildlife and you will be rewarded.

[Damian Jay]

Erm ????

Thank you for all your replies, some great advice.

I was planning on putting a mulch ( not sure if that's the right term. I was going to chip a load of branches) over the area where I have my fruit trees. Primarily to kill off all the unwanted grass and clover looking plants (which my mum calls 'creeping strawberry') so next year I could plant a range of flowers / plants that would be in bloom all year round.

Now, reading your posts, I'm wondering if that is such a good idea. I could create areas of twigs, small branches and stones / small rocks in amongst the chippings or would the wildlife not want to cross such an area?

Should I instead just keep the area strimmed low and put in piles of twigs and stones?

I really do want to get rid of the brambles, couch grass and 'creeping strawberry' In my mind this area was going to be a mix of wild meadow with autumn and winter plants spread through it. A riot of colour and excitement with bees and butterflies and soothing to look at when stopping for a cuppa when working on the lottie.

Once again, your thoughts, musings, comments and opinions are welcome :-)

[Guest]

Do your own thing. They will soon find comfy spots on your lottie i.e in the damp under a water butt, under pots, under some fabric that you have meant to move for ages but for some reason just haven't got round to. At the moment tho try and put them back where you found them as they have settled for winter.

Leaving patches of long grass, piles of wood and stone or a mini pond (an old header tank or similar) can do wonders for wildlife, as well as just not being too tidy all the time. Like every thing it is find what works for you