Your yard can have a significant impact on local biodiversity.
Layered, multispecies flora with a mix of trees, bushes and non-woody plants forms the base of a biodiverse yard.
Many natural plants, including ostrich and lady fern, lily of the valley, and scorpion grasses, will grow in the yard. Choose native Finnish plants, including mallow, burnet rose, or local varieties of apples. Avoid non-native species when planting, because they easily replace the original species. This is what has happened with the large-leaved lupine, rugosa rose, and the Himalayan balsam.
A small pond with a fountain will please the eyes of the residents and provide a place to live, drink or bathe for various organisms. Use a filter to clean the water and a fountain to add oxygen.
Managing one’s own yard is one of the simplest yet most effective ways for an individual to help maintain biodiversity.
The total surface area of private yards in Finland is 1,500 sq. km, which is more than than the area of the Pallas–Ounastunturi national park.
- Create a biodiverse yard or contact your housing company (rental apartments and ownerships) to increase the natural value of yard areas.
- Choose layered growth (trees, bushes and non-woody plants).
- Avoid unnecessary mowing and pesticides.
- Choose natural and native plants instead of foreign ornamental plants. Also choose nonpoisonous plants that are not dangerous to children and pets.
- Select the species so that one plant at a time is blooming throughout the season to provide food for pollinators.
- Make an insect hotel for the winter.
- Hang bird feeders or create places to nest.
- Feed birds in the winter
Riku Lumiaro, Juha Laaksonen ja Mikko Lagerström: Luonnonkaunis piha, Paasilinna 2014.