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In this conversation, we are reminded that rewilding need not be grand or complicated. It begins with small, intentional steps: a pond, a patch of wildflowers, a willingness to let Nature lead. From there, life returns \u2013 often more quickly and abundantly than we might expect. And in welcoming it back, we rediscover something essential in ourselves.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> Piers, to begin, what inspired you to rewild part of your garden?<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> I\u2019ve been interested in wildlife all my life, so it\u2019s always felt natural to want to attract more of it into the spaces I live in. Even as a child \u2013 before I was ten \u2013 I was digging ponds in my parents\u2019 garden and turning over stones to find toads and slow worms. That instinct never left me. Gardening, for me, has always been about doing as little harm as possible while creating conditions where wildlife can thrive. Rewilding is simply an extension of that lifelong relationship with Nature.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> That sense of continuity is beautiful. So what have you actually done to rewild your current garden?<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> The first thing I did was create a pond. If there\u2019s one feature that consistently brings life into a garden, it\u2019s water. Even a modest pond can transform the ecological richness of a space. Alongside that, I removed part of the lawn and replaced it with a mini wildflower meadow. Each year, I expand it a little further \u2013 it\u2019s a gradual, evolving process.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also avoided using any chemicals, which is crucial. Organic gardening isn\u2019t just a preference; it\u2019s fundamental if you want a healthy ecosystem. Chemicals don\u2019t just target pests \u2013 they harm beneficial insects and disrupt the natural balance.<\/p>\n At the far end of the garden, I\u2019ve allowed an area to grow wilder. Within that space, I\u2019ve planted a mix of native species \u2013 Silver Birch, Hazel, Willow, Field Maple, Honeysuckle, among others. Even in a small patch, you can create a dense, diverse habitat. Native plants are especially important because they\u2019ve evolved alongside local wildlife, so they offer the best support.<\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> It sounds like a thoughtful blend of intention and letting go. How long has this transformation been unfolding?<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> About four years. When I first moved in, the garden was essentially rough grass and weeds \u2013 no real structure or care. It needed work, not just to make it productive for growing vegetables, but to shape it into a space that could support wildlife.<\/p>\n What\u2019s been remarkable is how quickly things have changed. In just a few years, it\u2019s come on in leaps and bounds. And yet, it still feels like a work in progress \u2013 which is part of the joy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> That sense of ongoing evolution is very much in the spirit of rewilding. What benefits have you noticed so far?<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> The pond has been extraordinary. Within days of filling it, dragonflies and damselflies appeared. Over time, more species arrived \u2013 pond skaters, freshwater shrimps, snails. Then, after a couple of years, frogs began to spawn. Last year, I was delighted to see toads joining them. Now they return each year, and the pond is full of life, from tadpoles to water boatmen.<\/p>\n Toad spawn strings with a frog tadpole<\/em><\/p>\n In the wilder part of the garden, I now regularly see slow worms basking on the compost heap \u2013 and they\u2019re breeding too. The wildflowers attract bumblebees, hoverflies, and a wide range of insects, which in turn draw in birds.<\/p>\n To go from a relatively barren patch of ground to a thriving ecosystem in four years \u2013 it\u2019s been genuinely amazing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> That\u2019s incredibly encouraging for anyone starting out. Speaking of which, what advice would you give to someone considering rewilding their own garden?<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> Start with water. A pond doesn\u2019t have to be large or elaborate. Even a washing-up bowl sunk into the ground can make a difference. There are also inexpensive containers you can use to create a small pond on a patio. Add a few aquatic plants, and you\u2019ll quickly see life arriving.<\/p>\n Secondly, avoid chemicals entirely. They undermine everything you\u2019re trying to achieve.<\/p>\n And then, allow some areas to grow a bit wild. You don\u2019t have to abandon the whole garden \u2013 just leave a section unmown, or mow pathways through longer grass to create a sense of structure. It\u2019s about balance: creating a space that works for both you and wildlife.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> That balance seems key \u2013 honouring both human and ecological needs. Is there anything else you\u2019d like to add?<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> Yes \u2013 just to remember that rewilding isn\u2019t only for the benefit of wildlife. It enriches our own lives too. A garden that\u2019s alive \u2013 with frogs, dragonflies, butterflies \u2013 is endlessly fascinating. It invites curiosity, especially in children, and brings a kind of quiet joy.<\/p>\n There\u2019s something deeply nourishing about being in a space that\u2019s buzzing with life. It reconnects us to the natural world in a very immediate way. And in a time when so much biodiversity is under threat, even small actions like this can feel meaningful.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ian:<\/strong> That\u2019s a powerful note to end on. Thank you, Piers, for sharing your experience and insights.<\/p>\n Piers:<\/strong> Thank you \u2013 it\u2019s been a pleasure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Piers Warren<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenspirit.org.uk\/blog3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/whitedot.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/p>\nAll photos \u00a9 Piers Warren<\/h6>\n