How to make a wildlife oasis
Keep the beneficial insects in your garden happy and hydrated with this cute wildlife oasis.
You will need
Materials:
- 1200mm fence palings x 2
- 1000mm x 800mm thick black plastic
- 50mm exterior screws
- Assortment of smooth stones and rocks
- Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain tinted to Resene Grey Green
Tools:
- Cordless drill
- 3.5mm drill bit for drilling pilot holes, plus an appropriate drill bit to fit exterior screws
- Handsaw
- Paint stirrer
- Paintbrush
- Pencil
- Sandpaper
- Spirit level
- Stapler with stainless steel staples
- Tape measure
A landing pad for beneficial bugs: A homemade oasis gives garden helpers such as bees, butterflies and ladybirds a place to rest as well as rehydrate.
Instructions
Step one
Measure and mark 500mm from one end of both of the fence palings.
Step two
Use the back of the handsaw, as shown, to mark a 90-degree cutting line across both of the fence palings.
Step three
Using these cutting lines as guides, saw each fence paling into two pieces so that you have two pieces measuring 500mm and two pieces measuring 700mm. Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.
Step four
Place a 500mm length and 700mm length together at 90 degrees and drill three 3.5mm pilot holes down the corner edge. Fix these two pieces together with three 50mm screws.
Step five
Repeat Step 4 for the remaining three corners, until you have a completed rectangular frame.
Step six
Carefully stir the Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain tinted to Resene Grey Green.
Step seven
Apply one coat of Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain tinted to Resene Grey Green to the entire frame and allow to dry.
Step eight
Apply a second coat of Resene Grey Green to the entire frame and allow to dry.
Step nine
Place the frame into position on an area of flat bare ground, as shown, and use the spirit level to ensure that it’s (relatively) level in all directions.
Step ten
Place the piece of cut plastic inside the frame, as shown, and fix it with staples approximately 10mm down from the top edge of the timber frame. Ensure the staples are fixed horizontally in line with (and as close to) the edges of the liner to ensure the water level stays relatively high.
Step eleven
Arrange the stones and rocks in the lined frame, as shown, placing larger rocks near the edge and smaller stones across the bottom. Ensure there is one large rock in the centre to act as an island.
Step twelve
When you’re happy with the rock placement, fill the mini oasis with clean water.
How this works
Keeping a ready supply of water available will not only attract beneficial wildlife (such as butterflies, ladybirds and bees) into your garden, it may even encourage them to set up home. Ensure your homemade oasis is kept topped up at all times (even in winter) with fresh, clean water.
