Anyone who paves their garden will receive a hefty fine!

Tiles. A lot of them. The Dutch garden is the epitome of order and control. But it can, and must, be different if we want butterflies and bees to flourish in our country once again. Scenario: thanks to strict policy, fully tiled gardens are a thing of the past.

Humid air, 25°C: last weekend I visited Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem. In the tropical hall - a wonderful escape from the Dutch winter weather - I couldn't believe my eyes. While manatees calmly glided through the water, it was mainly the butterflies that caught my attention. Specimens of all shapes and sizes.

The colorful orbs took me back some 25 years. I saw myself again in the garden, by the swing, with my sister. Surrounded by a large number of butterflies. Back then it was a common sight. But today I hardly ever see them in my own garden. I looked it up: there have been never so few butterflies since 1992. I miss them.

What happened? Intensive agriculture and the use of pesticides have drastically reduced their habitat. Climate change also plays a role. On an individual level, something is also going on: wild gardens full of trees and plants have been replaced by tiles.

This can, and must, change. What if… it were forbidden to pave over our gardens? What if our backyards were to be transformed back into mini natural paradises? What plants and animals would feel welcome in the Netherlands again?

Strict gardening policy

In a groundbreaking move, Dutch politicians have decided: completely paved-over gardens are no longer allowed. From 2030, every front and back garden must be at least 60% green space. A path to the front door? Fine. But beyond that: only plants, shrubs, flowers and space for insects and birds. It is up to the municipalities to monitor this. Those who still fill their garden with tiles risk a fine of €250 per square meter. But there is also a reward: those who turn their gardens into green oases can receive subsidies for native plants and rainwater collection. This is how the Netherlands is becoming greener, one street at a time.

The small copper

One of the butterfly species that benefits greatly from this is the small copper (Lycaena phlaeas). This orange-black jewel used to flutter through the garden quite often. Due to the tiled gardens and the disappearance of grassland, we saw the number decrease sharply. But with the new garden policy, the small copper butterfly finally finds enough food and hiding places again. Welcome back!

The mining bee

But it is not only butterflies that are benefitting from our new policy. The mining bee (Andrena), one of the most important pollinators of wild plants and fruit trees, is also making a comeback. This small, hairy insect lives in sandy soil, but in recent years we have seen them less and less. With the new rules, borders with loose soil and flowerbeds are making a comeback, and with them the sand bee. The consequences: more pollination, more flowers and ultimately a healthier ecosystem.

The nightingale

With the return of insects to Dutch gardens, a special bird is also slowly returning: the nightingale. It is increasingly seen – and especially heard – in densely vegetated, green gardens and parks with sufficient shelter.

A dog with muddy paws

Whether we will actually switch to such a strict gardening policy is, of course, highly questionable. A wild garden is not ideal in all situations. Someone who has just had knee surgery probably does not want to be weeding. People with hay fever are not exactly thrilled by a garden full of flowering grasses either. And not everyone likes a dog that constantly runs through the house with muddy paws.

But let's do what we can. Those who are healthy and have an hour or so to spare on the weekend can achieve a lot with a few small adjustments. Remove a few tiles, plant a shrub – it doesn't have to be a big job. Last week I planted a tree in my garden. A small effort, but it gave me a good feeling.

It can be that simple.

In the future, we all shine like Jimi Hendrix

In the column series “What the world would be like, if...” Elcke Vels explores intriguing scenarios that deviate from the status quo. Each column is supported by AI-generated images.