Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-001.jpg" alt="Wild long grass meadow" class="wp-image-64672" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-001.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-001-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-001-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wilding-worries">Wilding worries</h2>



<p>For the last few years I have been advocating to clients of <a href="https://www.hpgardendesign.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HP Garden Design</a> and its sister business <a href="https://www.hpgardendesign.co.uk/rainVentures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rain Ventures</a> to let more nature into their gardens. On reflection, it’s odd that this is even a thing, but somewhere along the way, it feels like we have forgotten the idea that our private gardens could be that ‘little bit of nature’ on our doorstep and see it primarily as an outdoor room – often paved and constructed to meet our needs alone. &nbsp;</p>



<p>This mindset can bring with it a view that bugs and insects of the creepy crawly variety (or any animal other than domesticated pets) are unwelcome and to be discouraged, swatted or squished. Unfortunately, this mindset tends to pass down generations and to me, if feels pretty bleak to see children growing up fearful or disgusted by these tiny creatures rather than fascinated and curious. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Whether or not you’d be happy to snuggle up to one, insects are amazing creatures and the ecosystems we rely on wouldn’t be here without them.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-004.jpg" alt="Insects in a rewilded garden" class="wp-image-64674" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-004.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-004-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-004-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-sands">Shifting sands</h2>



<p>If you’re in the same ball park as me, you’ll remember long motorway drives as a kid that left the windscreen covered in splatted bugs.&nbsp; It doesn’t really happen any more. <em>Shifting Baseline Syndrome</em> means that our children will never experience that phenomenon for themselves.&nbsp; Their normal is a relatively clean windscreen afforded by the collapse of insect populations in the UK. If they have kids of their own, who knows what their normal will be?</p>



<p>Through a combination of industrial agriculture and the built environment, the UK is <em>the</em> most nature depleted country in the world.&nbsp;But, there is hope. Our domestic gardens in total cover more land than all the designated nature reserves in the UK combined. Even small changes in these spaces can make a big difference.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-002.jpg" alt="Pond life wild garden" class="wp-image-64676" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-002.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-002-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-incorporate-into-your-garden">What to incorporate into your garden</h2>



<p>Once the practical needs and preferences of a garden design are met, I then go about squeezing in areas, typically planting, sometimes incorporating wood piles, nooks and crannies and water features that perform not only an aesthetic function – looking lovely for garden users to enjoy but, also, importantly, making space for nature to exist and thrive.&nbsp;Even clients that prefer their gardens ‘low maintenance and tidy’ can incorporate things to make their spaces more accommodating.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-003.jpg" alt="hedgehog no mow may garden" class="wp-image-64677" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-003.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-003-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-003-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-no-mow-may">Not just <em>No Mow May</em></h2>



<p>One of the easiest and quickest ways to let a little bit of nature back in your garden is to create a mini meadow.&nbsp; Leave a square metre of it to grow. By letting grasses and wildflowers flourish, you’ll be providing more nectar for pollinators, habitat for beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies and other invertebrates. The birds will come looking for food and, if you’re really lucky, things like hedgehogs may visit. Give it a cut once at the end of the summer and keep chemicals away from it (better still, keep them away from your whole garden).</p>



<p>As well as giving your garden a biodiversity boost, you will also see how more resilient this patch of ground is in a summer drought &#8211; remaining green and interesting long after your traditional lawn has gone brown and crispy. It can be a teaching opportunity for your children to better understand how we’re all connected.&nbsp; Even better, take the idea to your schools and get them to do it too.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1502" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-008.jpg" alt="Summer wildflower meadow" class="wp-image-64678" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-008.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-008-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-008-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/02/REWILDING-008-768x1154.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For those that can’t bear the thought of an unkempt bit of grass, consider it a design feature – I have designed entire gardens around these biodiversity hot spots:</p>



<ul>
<li>Keep the edges neat &#8211; a straight mown edge turns the ‘scary mess’ into an intentional feature</li>



<li>It doesn’t have to be a square – let your imagination (and your kids) run wild!</li>



<li>Even better, do it over a larger area and mow a narrow path through it, so you can wander</li>



<li>Put a bench at the side so you can spend time watching and listening to what it brings in</li>



<li>Create several if you have a need for symmetry or want to make it look more intentional.</li>



<li>Get your neighbours involved – corridors of habitat are better than islands</li>
</ul>



<p>You can also add plug plants such as Yellow Rattle to weaken the grass monoculture and encourage more wild flowers to establish.</p>



<p><em>Need more help with bringing nature to your outside space? Get in touch with Hannah at <a href="https://www.hpgardendesign.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HP Garden Design</a>. </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-like-this-try-these">Want more like this? Try these</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/gardening/change-is-in-the-air-how-to-climate-proof-your-garden/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Change is in the air: how to climate-proof your garden</a></li>



<li><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/gardening/improve-your-gardens-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spring into action! How to improve your garden’s biodiversity</a></li>



<li><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/parkrun-near-me/">Run for it! Looking for a fun, free way to cram in some cardio? Join your local parkrun</a></li>
</ul>



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Re-wilding your outside space – top tips from a pro garden designer

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