A garden full of wrens, wagtails and native bees is a far cry from the one Professor Sue Wilson inherited when she bought her home. Back then, she says, there were no native plants and very few birds or insects. It felt like “a barren wasteland”.

Over the years, the University of New England environmental pollution professor built up the garden beds, improved the soil and planted natives suited to the conditions. Now birds nest there, pollinators visit throughout the year, and the garden produces flowers, fruit and vegetables for her family.

“I love watching the nesting wrens and wagtails, and native bees with coffee on a spring sunny morning,” she says.

For Wilson, a healthier garden begins well before you reach for a spray. As spring growth gets underway, she recommends choosing plants suited to your local climate and soil, removing dead or diseased growth, and preparing beds with compost or well-rotted manure. Organic mulch can help the soil hold moisture as the weather warms.

“By growing native plants that are suited to the local conditions and keeping them as healthy as possible with the right amount of water, nutrients and light, you are less likely to experience pest infestations in the first place,” she says.

Healthy plants are better placed to cope when pests do appear, but Wilson says gardeners also benefit from paying attention to the animals already sharing their backyard. Ladybirds and lacewings can prey on aphids and other small insects, while birds such as wrens and wagtails, along with lizards and bats, have their own roles in a garden ecosystem. Chickens may eat grubs too, although they can be hard on young plants, so it pays to keep an eye on where they forage.

To make a garden more welcoming to helpful wildlife, Wilson suggests planting a range of suitable native vegetation and providing shelter through features such as rocks, logs and leaf litter. Avoiding broad-spectrum sprays also gives beneficial insects a better chance of surviving alongside the pests.

That does not mean leaving every chewed leaf alone. Wilson says she removes pests by hand when she can and responds early if damage is increasing. Checking vulnerable plants and removing slugs or snails early can help prevent further damage.

Where children or pets use the garden, Wilson suggests starting with measures such as hand-picking slugs and snails and checking for damp hiding places close to vulnerable seedlings. She also mentions copper tape, eggshells, coffee grounds and beer traps, but these should not be presented as reliable fixes: trials have found that common barriers, including copper tape and eggshells, do not necessarily reduce plant damage. Beer traps can catch other insects too. The aim, she says, is to protect plants without trying to eliminate every snail from the garden.

Home-made sprays need more thought than their “natural” label might suggest. Wilson says soapy water and chilli sprays can help with some pests, but their effects vary and they may also harm plants or beneficial insects if used carelessly. She advises against spraying in strong sunlight or using them on food crops. If a spray is needed, identifying the pest first and following the directions on a product intended for that plant is a more reliable approach than assuming a household mixture is harmless.

Wilson also encourages gardeners to look at the materials they bring into the backyard. Plastic weed mat, pots and netting can become waste as they age or break apart. Organic mulch, jute, coconut coir and wool-based mats may offer alternatives in some situations, while terracotta or other reusable containers can take the place of new plastic pots. Existing pots can be reused or taken to a local collection point that accepts them; recycling options vary by area.

None of this requires a perfect garden or a complete overhaul in one weekend. Wilson’s own garden changed over years of planting and improving the soil, and it now provides food for the family as well as a place for wildlife. Her advice is to have a go, research the remedies you are considering and ask for advice when you need it.