Resources for Gardeners

Videos

Purple loosestrife

What is Gardening for Bats?

This introductory video explains what the Gardening for Bats project is and what you can expect from the rest of the short videos in the series. These videos were created by Bat Conservation Ireland with funding from the Heritage Council. Video 1 of 5.

A vegetable garden

Easy Techniques

Video 2 (of 5) describing simple and easy ways to support and encourage bats and biodiversity in your garden.

A wildlife pond

Features for Bats

In this video (3 of 5) we suggest ways that you can provide features and structures in your garden that help bats. These range from hedgerows, that bats can fly along to navigate in darkness while camouflaged against predators, to ponds - where bats can drink, as well as eat insects that emerge from the water.

Colourful plants in containers

Choosing Plants

In this video (4 of 5) we give tips on choosing plants that will benefit bats. From native species and how to grow them from seed, to herbaceous perennials you can source in your local garden centre.

Ripe apples on a tree

How Bats Help Gardeners

In this, the final video in our series (5 of 5) we explain the essential work bats do for us while they forage at night - helping control insect pests. While in other parts of the world, bats pollinate crop plants.

Downloads

Cover of our Gardening for Bats leaflet

Gardening for Bats leaflet

What is the Gardening for Bats Project?

This project came from a question we are often asked by members of the public ‘What can I do for bats?’. The truth is, there is a lot anyone with an outdoor space can easily do for bats. With this project, we aim to:

Create resources for gardeners to help them make bat- and wildlife-friendly decisions when gardening.
For garden centres – provide signage, printed materials and resources to help your customers choose bat friendly trees, hedging and herbaceous perennials, as well as ponds and other features.
For Irish plant nurseries - provide ‘I’m bat friendly’ labelling for Irish grown, native hedging and tree stock, as well as labels for herbaceous perennials that support nocturnal pollinators.

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