How to create a dragonfly friendly garden

We teamed up with the British Dragonfly Society to bring you our guide to creating a dragonfly friendly garden! In our video we speak to Lauren, who tells us why dragonflies need our help. She talks us through some of the measures we can all put in place to help these beautiful insects in our gardens. We cover everything you need to know to get started with your dragonfly friendly garden, including how to create or enhance your pond, what plants to choose, and how you can provide for the prey which dragonflies feast on.
To learn more about dragonflies, visit the British Dragonfly Society’s website, where you can learn about more species and look at lots of beautiful pictures to help with identifying what you’ve seen. And don't forget to send records of any dragonflies you see:
british-dragonflies.org.uk/
For loads more wildlife gardening tips and advice visit our website: wildlifegardenproject.com/
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ABOUT THE WILDLIFE GARDEN PROJECT
Imagine if everybody in the UK made just a few small changes in their garden to help our British wildlife. Think of the giant patchwork of habitats that could be created, all the new homes that could be formed, and all the mouths that could be fed. And you can do as much or as little as you like!
Here at The Wildlife Garden Project, we make video tutorials on things you can do in your garden to help wildlife: everything from making your own bird box to growing a wildflower meadow. Our website is also full of wildlife gardening tips and advice, as well as information on the species you might find in your garden.

[@bartguim4823]

This was so fun to watch, I recently had dozens of dragonflies in my backyard in the early morning, now I know they are my friends!

[@wildlifegardenproject]

They're so beautiful!

[@laurawilliams2790]

I love this! 'Wish they had done a walk-through of the garden. It looks fabulous.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

We did one! Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZzSiYWAibaNj7M

[@laurawilliams2790]

@@wildlifegardenproject Thank you from Michigan, USA! We're kindred spirits! It's wonderful!

[@wildlifegardenproject]

@@laurawilliams2790 🙌💚😁

[@shihtzusrule9115]

How does something this important only get 95 likes? I had almost no dragonflies this year, drought and a lot of pollinators stayed away too, which was unfortunate for my squash and cucumber plants. Mosquitoes, unfortunately, were in abundance - even with no rain.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

That's sad to hear, they definitely need our help. Hopefully some of these tips will help you attract more dragonflies 🙂

[@craffte]

RIght?? I can't believe the algo didn't give me this before. Stupid youtube.Great channel, subbed.

[@mypreciousgarden]

Thanks ! I didn't know the tip on leaving algae on the side to dry out and that allows larvae etc to go back into the pond.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Thank you! Glad you found it useful! :)

[@andymann7762]

Thankyou. Found this very interesting. More please !

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Glad you enjoyed it! More coming soon :)

[@elliotlane3225]

Really useful. Always thought the pond needed to be quite deep for dragonflies, glad to hear even something like a barrel or largish planter can attract them.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

This was a surprise to us too! Wonderful to hear even a small barrel pond can benefit these wonderful insects!

[@craffte]

dragonflies are magic.

[@jeanettephillips2727]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I live in France but your tips are useful anywhere. Dragonflies are not often seen here in the Tarn, however, I am determined to offer them more water to see if that changes the situation.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

That's great to hear, good luck!

[@karinoshea3330]

Thank you so very much for such a well done, informative video! I live in central Oklahoma, U.S. but will be able to use a lot of the info with just a few tweaks to include local wildflowers. Much love from Oklahoma!

[@wildlifegardenproject]

That's so great to hear! Pleased that this is useful across the pond too! Good luck with it :)

[@moochythecat3435]

Great video

[@barbarafritchie2000]

Thank you both.

[@faisalmian3348]

I am a student of Entomology and your video helped me a lot to understand things....❤

[@wildlifegardenproject]

That's brilliant, so pleased it helped! 🙂

[@travellerseko]

Excellent video, step by step guide. I have 50sqm garden and built a wildlife pond (L2m x W1.5m x D60cm). Already attracting the wildlife is amazing. I’m trying to do my best for the ecosystem even though it is very small garden.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Sounds like you're doing a brilliant job! I've heard of dragonflies breeding in much smaller ponds so 🤞🤞🤞

[@travellerseko]

@@wildlifegardenproject thank you so much. You made my day by responding to my comment🥰

[@wildlifegardenproject]

@@travellerseko 😁💚

[@lck2433]

❤

[@fishtales2597]

Hi ive just made a wildlife pond, its only small to see if we get any wildlife as last year ive noticed there isnt as many insects now as years gone by

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Awesome! Fingers crossed for dragonflies!

[@jungletiger1900]

I have a small garden with 3 ponds, I've had all sorts of dragonflies etc visit laying eggs over the years, I've also had large moths, a sterile garden will not attract compared to a wild one, I have compost heaps which are alive with insects and worms, i have dens with vegetation covering them, I have toads and frogs but newts are a pest for they can wipe out frogs and toads in a enclosed garden for they eat the eggs and tadpoles, so I remove newts to a large pond elsewhere, and at night if raining the frogs and toads are hunting , its a great hobby and you are helping nature, and don't forget that where you live once ponds etc were everywhere like my city once had before they ruined it all.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Sounds amazing!

[@sterlgirlceline]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌱🌳🐸🦋💚

[@Lbff1225]

GREAT Video!! Thanks! Is it ok to have a fountain or waterfall into the pond? Mosquitoes are horrible in Georgia, USA, and they thrive in still water. I know the Dragonflies will eat them once they’re here, but I don’t want to encourage more mosquitoes until the Dragonflies come. Plus, I love the sound of running water, so I’m trying attract Dragonflies, but also have the moving water features.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Thank you! It's certainly possible. I think you can get fountains with a protection over the pump so little creatures and tadpoles don't get sucked in, so best to do a bit of research before buying!

[@user-do7es3lb5b]

I have found dragonfly larvae living in the waterfall spillway of my pond, had a bit of driftwood in there and it offered enough shelter apparently.

[@Lbff1225]

Thank you, both! I can’t wait to start building mine

[@runefagereng6023]

Nice video. Thanks. What’s the beautiful red/orange flower in the foreground here? :)

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Thank you! :) Is it the poppies you mean?

[@futures2247]

do we really need to worry about leaving falling in the pond if its specifically for wildlife?

[@Vikface1978]

I would say, it depends on the overall set up… lots of plants and clear water, yes a few leaves is ok. But just water and not enough plants, and lots of leaves… no, the balance will go out and you’ll get either green water or lots of algae.

[@vilmat.gonzalez2759]

Can you have fish in a dragon 🪰 fly pond?

[@wildlifegardenproject]

It isn't usually recommended in a wildlife pond as they predate on dragonfly larvae, tadpoles and other wildlife, but Jack Perks has some tips here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZaUgq2tfZhsiacsi=U8N4t0EipWXGHeUO

[@TheFamilyFarmHomestead]

Can you tell me how I can create a garden that will repel DragonFlies? They are a very big problem for me they cost me money every year.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

I've never heard of them being a problem, what issues are you having? They're beautiful creatures and act as natural pest control 👌We love dragonflies and are trying to support them, so we're the wrong people to ask I'm afraid!

[@TheFamilyFarmHomestead]

@@wildlifegardenproject I am a beekeeper more to the point I am a honey bee queen breeder. I raise queens to sell and dragonflies eat the queen bees while they are on their mating flights. It is true that birds also eat these queens but our success raits to way down when the dragonfilies are around.

[@wildlifegardenproject]

@@TheFamilyFarmHomestead ah I see, sorry to hear it's effecting your business

[@TheSouthernLady777]

Imagine what tap water does to YOUR body, if it affects the plants and animals in a bad way.

[@falcolf]

If you're in North America do NOT plant yellow flag iris! It's a fabulous plant but it's extremely invasive here; look for native options instead!❤

[@wildlifegardenproject]

Agreed, native is best where possible!

[@longsnapper5381]

I could listen to a British accent all day......dragonflies eat mosquitoes

[@wildlifegardenproject]

🤣🙌

[@debbielanier2973]

THE VOLUME WAS NOT GOOD ON THE LITTLE WOMAN. GOOD INTERVIEW OTHERWISE. TY