Properly planning an insect hotel - tips wanted

Wow, - now that’s a tip! Thanks already.

There’s a problem though: the thing is not sheltered from the wind. Unfortunately, the meadow is still completely free of trees - a linden tree has been planted but it is now 2m tall. The hedge is still tiny and more than 10m away. And we really have wind. We are in the region where roofs were blown off twice during the last storms. But the wind almost always comes from the west. The house is to the south and wind from the north + east is rare. Would it then be best to position it southeast? That way you still get a bit of sun and the wind hits the back.

That’s why I can’t hang it either. It should become a house on stilts. I hope that won’t be for nothing. ops:

I’ll check out the other sides soon with a cozy cup of tea.

Build a small windbreak for the first year - a kind of fence element should be sufficient.

On posts is totally fine! And a small linden tree doesn't matter - under a large one it would be too shady anyway. This shade may eventually change the plants in the meadow. Hm, the desired wind protection comes from the fact that flying in won't be so exhausting. I have no idea to what extent a lot of wind actually deters bees. You'll probably just have to test it - if nothing happens, then maybe move it next winter. You have to try it out.

Build a small windbreak for the first year - some kind of fence element should be enough.

Well, that would be too ugly for me, sorry. But I could make a solid back wall - that helps too, right?

Are 400 sqm of wild growth enough? Grass garden and cottage garden for insects that have not been maintained for about 30 years, or does it also need to be supported? The grass garden has been renaturalized with wild blackberries, hazelnut, fern, birch, and whatever has flown in, and the former cottage garden is planted with various shrubs and perennials. Since then also left to its own devices.

There are many birds that only sporadically use the birdhouses. There seems to be enough food.

I read over the weekend that you should sow corn poppy, transplanted marigolds, and other bee-friendly plants near the vegetable beds. Then hoverflies would settle, which control the aphids.

I've also heard that hoverflies go to marigolds, so that would be worth a try. Blackberries and hazel are already good – and perennials anyway. You just have to see what has established itself there, whether there is a balance or if some stuff dominates... ultimately, everything that blooms and is native is good. And untidy, yes, definitely. If I only want to intervene partially, I would look at which season there is the least blooming and then add/replace something for that. From what I've read from you so far, you have already dealt with the topic of being close to nature anyway?