How to create a wildlife rock basking area

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How to create a wildlife rock basking area

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Tuesday, 28 May 2019 at 2:35 pm

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Encourage the youngsters in your family to get outside with this family-friendly project. It’s quick and easy to make and will provide shelter for cold-blooded amphibians, reptiles and insects, many of which need to soak up the sun to give them energy for the day. Build the feature in a sunny spot so the rocks will warm up in the sunlight.

Bees, hoverflies, butterflies and a host of other winged insects will be attracted to the basking point and the rock plants will provide them with nectar and pollen for an energy boost, too. The cracks and crevices that are formed between the stones and amongst the gravel will also provide a cosy place for beetles, spiders and other minibeasts to take up residence.

You Will Need

Old bricks
Gravel
Flat rockery stones
Nectar-rich plants
Spade
Trowel

Step 1

Laying bricks on the ground

Dig out a shallow hole on the front edge of a border, with one end deeper than the other towards the back. Position the bricks in the bottom of the hole, sloping back to allow water to drain off. Ensure that the front edge of the bricks sits below the surrounding soil level.

Step 2

Adding crushed gravel to the bricks

Adding crushed stone to the bricks

Add a layer of gravel or crushed stone to cover the bricks. Spread it out so that it is level and aim to make the layer roughly the depth of one stone. It will act as a spacer and create crevices for beetles and other minibeasts to shelter in.

Step 3

Laying flat stones on top of the gravel

Lay a couple of flat stones on top of the gravel, sloping up toward the border edge, to cover the bricks. Pack behind the stones with a mix of gravel and garden soil. Add another layer of gravel and flat stones, then fill around it with more gravel/soil mix.

Step 4

Planting up the basking area

Plant around your mini rockery with your chosen plants. Keep the centre free of plants so that you maximise the
area available for basking. Add a couple of flat stones behind the layered rocks at the front and then dress around
everything with a mulch of gravel/crushed stone.

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