How to make a stumpery for insects
Find out how to make a wildlife-friendly stumpery for a semi-shaded spot in your garden.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To do | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
A stumpery is not only an attractive feature in the garden, it also attracts masses of wildlife. A stumpery is similar to a log pile, but is a permanent feature, consisting of upright logs, half buried in the soil, on which moss, lichen and fungi will grow. You can plant ferns in and around the logs for extra interest.
Dead wood makes a wonderful wildlife habitat, providing food and shelter for a huge number of invertebrates, including wood-boring beetles, solitary bees and woodlice.
Choose a spot in partial shade, where the wood will remain moist. Aim for a range of heights and thicknesses of log.
Find out how to make a stumpery, below.
You Will Need
- Garden spade
- Logs and branches
- Mallet
- Ferns, optional
Step 1
Dig a pit approximately 50cm deep and wide enough to accommodate all of your upright logs.
Step 2
Stand the largest log in the pit. Ensuring it is level, secure it with your feet and add the smaller logs around it.
Step 3
Replace soil around the logs and fill any gaps with soil. Firm around the stumpery with your feet. Plant ferns around the logs to add interest.
Discover 10 ferns to grow.
Evergreen ferns
Hart's tongue fern, Asplenium scolopendrium, is an evergreen fern that is easy to grow in shade.
Festive subscription offer
Save 51% on the shop price. Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine today and get 6 months of free seeds for Spring 2025.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Discover our new digital travel brochure
Whether it's a thrilling Arctic cruise or a charming getaway to historic Bath, our NEW travel brochure has exciting options for everyone.
Discover Dangerous Plants
From witchcraft to murder mysteries, uncover the power of plants in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
