Building a log pile can boost your local biodiversity by giving a home and shelter to some of the smaller inhabitants of your garden. They are easy to assemble and require little maintenance. Watch ...

Attracting bugs and amphibians to your wildlife garden couldn’t be simpler. Gather some old wood – branches, logs, anything natural – and pile it up in a quiet corner of your garden.

Brett Westwood and Phil Gates present a guide to some of our commonest garden wildlife beginning with the creatures you’re likely to find in log piles and long grass.

Conversely, if your pile is too small, it may not generate enough heat to keep the decomposition process active. This can lead to slower breakdown of materials and reduced compost quality.