Construction of a Wasteland Habitat
Preparation
Materials
Construction
Select an plot within the whole Wildlife Area where plants are free to colonise the wasteland; i.e. an exposed site. Ideally the plot should then be stripped of any fertile topsoil which may be present. Remove any perennial grasses and unsuitable plants. If neccessary, treat persistent plants with a systemic weedkiller (glyphosate based types) to completely rid the site of unwanted specimens.
Collect items such as old boots (walking, working and wellington) and shoes/trainers, old crockery (include broken plant-pots), pans/kettles and empty cans/tins. Use anything that is a container in which plants may be grown; we have an broken wheelbarrow at Garforth!
Pile up stone, bricks and rubble of any sort. Rusting metalwork and rotting wood of any kind should also be used to add to the wasteland effect.
Arrange this collection of materials as "naturally" as possible being aware that plants are to grow in containers and crevices created by the rubbish. Also be sure to allow hollows to be formed beneath things which will provide mini-habitats for various small mammals and insects.
Finally plant some of the containers and crevices with suitable specimens which are commonly found on derelict land. For example:
Fill the remaining containers with soil and then wait to see what colonises them; leave it to nature!