Little things
Jan. 5 The birds and the bees. When planting a garden, landscaping or planting containers keep wildlife in mind. There are a few easy steps that can increase the value of your garden to animal life.
1. Do you want to plant decorative grass? Instead of the traditional pampas or sea grasses choose millet or other seed producing variety and leave the seed heads on over winter. Many seed producing grasses come with a variety of leaf colors including dark purple.
2. Planting shrubs. Choose evergreens which provide shelter or those that produce edible berries. Boysenberry, serviceberry and many others are usable by wildlife.
3. Choose native flowers. Many wildflowers can be a beautiful addition to a garden. Many also produce seed heads that birds will readily eat. The exotics are beautiful too. Mixing exotic and native plants still benefits the wildlife.
4. Put flower pots where you and visiting bees will not harass each other just by being there.
5. Plant trees that give shade and provide for wildlife. Oaks are not the only trees that provide both. Explore the options before choosing a tree.
6. Homes for the insects. Many butterflies for example can only live on one type of plant as a caterpillar. For example Monarchs need milkweed which comes in a variety of colors and can add to a gardens beauty. Black Swallowtails need parsley and its relatives.
7. Aside from the above Butterflies and other pollinators require specific shapes and colors of flowers. If there is something you want to see know what attracts it. If possible provide the native plant that provides it. If that is not an option look into a similar exotic. Something to remember is most Heirloom and non-specialized varieties of flowers produce more nectar. Often nectar and pollen production is placed second when a variety is genetically altered.
8. Pest problems. Most insecticides kill not only the problem insects but everything else along the way. There is nothing as sad as seeing a butterfly trapped on a fly strip. There are natural alternatives. Introducing predatory insects such as ladybugs for aphids and praying mantis grasshoppers. Also encouraging spiders to live in your garden can cure many insect blights. Many birds also eat insects. Wrens are particularly good for this and will nest in small birdhouses. In addition, hot soapy water in a spray bottle is effective against aphids. Many websites exist on this subject, too many to list here.
9. Water. Adding a sculptured bird bath can add beauty and help birds and other animals. IF you're worried about remembering to fill it, put it where you have flowers to water. Then it is convenient to hose out or fill with a watering can. Butterflies and other insects can be provided water as well. The best way to accomplish this is a small shallow dish. (It can be a container or a sculpture or any other shallow dished item that is either on an open rock or on a post just below the level of your flower heads. Insert a sponge in the dish. Be certain it is not loaded with chemicals or soaps. Organic sponges and luffa work well too. Fill the dish with water so it is below the top of the sponge.
10. Less grass is more. Of course most of us can't do away with our lawns altogether but there are ways to trick the wildlife into believing we have. For pollinating insects plant beds that are no more then 10-15 feet between. This allows them to easily travel between them. For birds providing a shrub for shelter among the flower beds can increase the attractiveness of your yard to them.
There are many more simple things that can be done to attract wildlife and make our gardens a space they can share with us. The local Audubon Society or native plant society certainly has many more than I could ever list here.
1. Do you want to plant decorative grass? Instead of the traditional pampas or sea grasses choose millet or other seed producing variety and leave the seed heads on over winter. Many seed producing grasses come with a variety of leaf colors including dark purple.
2. Planting shrubs. Choose evergreens which provide shelter or those that produce edible berries. Boysenberry, serviceberry and many others are usable by wildlife.
3. Choose native flowers. Many wildflowers can be a beautiful addition to a garden. Many also produce seed heads that birds will readily eat. The exotics are beautiful too. Mixing exotic and native plants still benefits the wildlife.
4. Put flower pots where you and visiting bees will not harass each other just by being there.
5. Plant trees that give shade and provide for wildlife. Oaks are not the only trees that provide both. Explore the options before choosing a tree.
6. Homes for the insects. Many butterflies for example can only live on one type of plant as a caterpillar. For example Monarchs need milkweed which comes in a variety of colors and can add to a gardens beauty. Black Swallowtails need parsley and its relatives.
7. Aside from the above Butterflies and other pollinators require specific shapes and colors of flowers. If there is something you want to see know what attracts it. If possible provide the native plant that provides it. If that is not an option look into a similar exotic. Something to remember is most Heirloom and non-specialized varieties of flowers produce more nectar. Often nectar and pollen production is placed second when a variety is genetically altered.
8. Pest problems. Most insecticides kill not only the problem insects but everything else along the way. There is nothing as sad as seeing a butterfly trapped on a fly strip. There are natural alternatives. Introducing predatory insects such as ladybugs for aphids and praying mantis grasshoppers. Also encouraging spiders to live in your garden can cure many insect blights. Many birds also eat insects. Wrens are particularly good for this and will nest in small birdhouses. In addition, hot soapy water in a spray bottle is effective against aphids. Many websites exist on this subject, too many to list here.
9. Water. Adding a sculptured bird bath can add beauty and help birds and other animals. IF you're worried about remembering to fill it, put it where you have flowers to water. Then it is convenient to hose out or fill with a watering can. Butterflies and other insects can be provided water as well. The best way to accomplish this is a small shallow dish. (It can be a container or a sculpture or any other shallow dished item that is either on an open rock or on a post just below the level of your flower heads. Insert a sponge in the dish. Be certain it is not loaded with chemicals or soaps. Organic sponges and luffa work well too. Fill the dish with water so it is below the top of the sponge.
10. Less grass is more. Of course most of us can't do away with our lawns altogether but there are ways to trick the wildlife into believing we have. For pollinating insects plant beds that are no more then 10-15 feet between. This allows them to easily travel between them. For birds providing a shrub for shelter among the flower beds can increase the attractiveness of your yard to them.
There are many more simple things that can be done to attract wildlife and make our gardens a space they can share with us. The local Audubon Society or native plant society certainly has many more than I could ever list here.