Guide
Collecting wildflowers seeds is this easy – and free
by Anna Sandner
How to turn your balcony into an insect paradise
27.3.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
The majority of native insect species are endangered. They don’t have a habitat. With a few simple tricks, you can turn your balcony into a home for insects.
Rooms and suites
The following rule applies to the habitats: the more diverse the offer on your balcony, the more variety of insects will look for a home with you. By providing some of the following nesting places, you can make a valuable contribution to preserving biodiversity.
Wellness area: the watering hole
On warm summer days, insects are dependent on open waterholes. But because most surfaces in cities are sealed, access to water is often difficult. The little animals try to get to water in wells and drown if there’s no way out. If you want to add a spa to your wellness oasis, a deep bowl of water is perfect. But don’t forget to make the exit accessible with some sticks or twigs.
À la carte menu
Your guests are just as diverse as their eating habits. With clever planning, you can make sure the plants on your balcony offer a varied buffet for everyone from spring to autumn.
Insects also eat with their eyes. They love flowers in all different kinds of colours and scents. In terms of shape, insects particularly prefer goblet-shaped flowers because their nectar is easily accessible. Whether flower beds, shrubs, woody plants, aromatic plants or herbs – as long as the plant is in bloom, the insects are happy. You can even offer them the flowers from your vegetables. So why not just let a lettuce or an aubergine bloom?
Seed mixtures are good for covering a wide range of flower species. In spring you should think about sunlight and wind conditions so that you can enjoy lush blooms and lots of little visitors on your balcony in summer. Don’t worry if you have a warm south-facing balcony or terrace without shade. You can plant Mediterranean plants such as rosemary or sun-loving flowers such as the coneflower.
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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