Skip to main content

A Haven for Wildlife: Gardening to Support Nature's Balance

Want a garden that's not only beautiful but also buzzing with life? Think beyond just flowers and shrubs, and imagine a space teeming with birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. That's the magic of a wildlife garden – a place where nature thrives right outside your door. Creating a wildlife garden isn't just about aesthetics; it's about contributing to a healthier environment and supporting the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

Why Create a Wildlife Garden?​

Let's face it, many of our urban and suburban landscapes are pretty sterile when it comes to wildlife. Lawns, non-native plants, and the overuse of pesticides can create a harsh environment for creatures that depend on natural habitats. A wildlife garden offers a refuge, a place where animals can find food, water, shelter, and breeding grounds.

  • Support Biodiversity: A diverse garden attracts a variety of species, creating a more resilient and balanced ecosystem.

  • Pollinator Power: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are essential for food production. Wildlife gardens provide the nectar and pollen they need to thrive.

  • Natural Pest Control: Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which will prey on aphids and other garden pests, reducing the need for chemical controls.

  • A Feast for the Eyes (and Soul): Watching wildlife in your garden is a relaxing and rewarding experience. It connects you to nature and provides a sense of wonder.

Designing Your Wildlife Oasis​

Creating a wildlife garden doesn't require a massive overhaul of your existing landscape. Even small changes can make a big difference. Here's how to get started:

1. Assess Your Space​

  • Sunlight: Note the areas of your garden that receive full sun, partial shade, and full shade. This will help you choose the right plants for each location.

  • Soil: Determine your soil type (sandy, clay, loamy) and pH level. You can amend the soil to improve its drainage and fertility.

  • Water: Consider the natural drainage patterns of your garden and identify areas where water tends to collect.

  • Existing Features: Take stock of any existing trees, shrubs, or other features that could provide habitat for wildlife.

2. Choose Native Plants​

This is arguably the most important step. Native plants are the foundation of a healthy wildlife garden because they are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, and they provide the specific food and shelter that native animals need.

  • Why Native? Native plants have co-evolved with local wildlife, forming intricate relationships. Native insects, for example, are often specialists, feeding only on specific native plants.

  • Where to Find Native Plants: Consult with local nurseries, native plant societies, or your county extension office to find a list of native plants suitable for your region.

  • Examples of Native Plants:

    • Trees: Oak ( Quercus spp.), Maple (Acer spp.), Birch (Betula spp.), Dogwood (Cornus florida)
    • Shrubs: Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), Viburnum (Viburnum spp.), Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
    • Flowers: Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Milkweed (Asclepias spp.), Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.), Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
    • Grasses: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

  • Milkweed is a Must: If you want to attract Monarch butterflies, plant milkweed. It's the only plant that Monarch caterpillars will eat.

3. Provide Water​

Water is essential for all living things. Providing a water source in your garden will attract a wide variety of wildlife.

  • Bird Baths: Choose a bird bath that is shallow and has a rough surface for birds to grip. Clean it regularly to prevent the spread of disease.

  • Ponds: A small pond can be a haven for frogs, toads, dragonflies, and other aquatic creatures. Include shallow areas and rocks for animals to easily enter and exit the water.

  • Streams or Water Features: Even a small stream or water feature can add beauty and attract wildlife to your garden.

  • Rain Gardens: A rain garden is a shallow depression that collects rainwater runoff from your roof or driveway. It can help to reduce flooding and pollution while also providing habitat for wildlife.

4. Offer Shelter​

Wildlife needs shelter to protect themselves from predators and the elements.

  • Trees and Shrubs: Provide a variety of trees and shrubs with different sizes and shapes to offer nesting sites and cover for birds and other animals.

  • Brush Piles: A brush pile is a simple and effective way to provide shelter for small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Pile up branches, leaves, and other organic materials in a secluded area of your garden.

  • Rock Piles: Rock piles provide habitat for snakes, lizards, and insects. Place rocks of different sizes in a sunny location.

  • Nesting Boxes: Install birdhouses and bat houses to provide nesting sites for cavity-nesting species.

  • Leaf Litter: Don't be too quick to rake up all the leaves in the fall. Leaf litter provides important habitat for overwintering insects and other creatures.

5. Create a Layered Landscape​

A layered landscape mimics the structure of a natural ecosystem, with a variety of plants at different heights. This provides more diverse habitat for wildlife.

  • Canopy Layer: Trees form the canopy layer, providing shade and shelter for other plants and animals.

  • Understory Layer: Shrubs and small trees form the understory layer, providing nesting sites and food for birds and other animals.

  • Herbaceous Layer: Flowers, grasses, and ferns form the herbaceous layer, providing food and habitat for insects and other invertebrates.

  • Groundcover Layer: Groundcover plants help to prevent erosion and provide habitat for ground-dwelling creatures.

6. Reduce Lawn Area​

Lawns provide little habitat for wildlife. Consider reducing the size of your lawn and replacing it with native plants.

  • Meadow Gardens: Create a meadow garden with native grasses and wildflowers. This will provide habitat for pollinators and other insects.

  • No-Mow Areas: Allow some areas of your lawn to grow longer, providing cover for wildlife.

7. Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides​

Pesticides and herbicides can harm beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. Avoid using these chemicals in your garden.

  • Organic Gardening Practices: Use organic gardening practices to control pests and weeds. This includes using compost, mulch, and beneficial insects.

  • Hand-Pulling Weeds: Pull weeds by hand instead of using herbicides.

  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Use IPM techniques to control pests. IPM involves identifying pests, monitoring their populations, and using a variety of methods to control them, including cultural controls, biological controls, and chemical controls (as a last resort).

8. Be Patient and Observe​

It takes time for a wildlife garden to mature. Be patient and observe your garden to see what kinds of wildlife it attracts. Make adjustments as needed to improve the habitat.

  • Keep a Journal: Record the dates when you see different species in your garden. This will help you to track the success of your wildlife gardening efforts.

  • Take Photos: Take photos of your garden throughout the year to document its changes.

  • Share Your Successes: Share your wildlife gardening successes with others. This will help to inspire others to create their own wildlife gardens.

Specific Habitats to Consider​

While the above principles apply to any wildlife garden, you can also focus on creating specific habitats to attract certain types of wildlife.

Butterfly Gardens​

  • Host Plants: Plant host plants for butterfly caterpillars. These are the specific plants that caterpillars need to eat in order to survive. For example, Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed, Black Swallowtail caterpillars eat parsley and dill, and Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars eat spicebush.

  • Nectar Plants: Plant nectar plants for adult butterflies. These plants provide butterflies with the nectar they need for energy. Choose a variety of nectar plants that bloom throughout the growing season.

  • Sunlight: Butterflies need sunlight to warm their bodies. Plant butterfly gardens in a sunny location.

  • Shelter: Provide shelter for butterflies from wind and rain. Plant trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the garden.

Bird Gardens​

  • Food: Provide a variety of food sources for birds, including seeds, berries, nuts, and insects.

  • Water: Provide a clean source of water for birds to drink and bathe in.

  • Shelter: Provide shelter for birds from predators and the elements. Plant trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the garden.

  • Nesting Sites: Provide nesting sites for birds. Install birdhouses or plant trees and shrubs that birds can nest in.

  • Native Plants: Native plants are a great food source and shelter for birds.

Insect Gardens​

  • Native Plants: Native plants are a great food source and shelter for insects.

  • Host Plants: Plant host plants for butterfly caterpillars and other insects.

  • Water: Provide a shallow dish of water for insects to drink from.

  • Shelter: Provide shelter for insects from predators and the elements. Leave leaf litter and dead wood in the garden.

  • Avoid Pesticides: Avoid using pesticides in your garden, as they can harm beneficial insects.

Frog Ponds​

  • Shallow Water: Provide a shallow area of water for frogs to bask in.

  • Plants: Plant aquatic plants in the pond to provide cover for frogs and other aquatic creatures.

  • Rocks: Place rocks in the pond for frogs to climb on.

  • No Fish: Do not put fish in the pond, as they will eat the frog eggs and tadpoles.

  • Native Plants: Native plants around the pond are great for frogs.

Long-Term Management​

Creating a wildlife garden is an ongoing process. Here are some tips for long-term management:

  • Weeding: Regularly weed your garden to prevent invasive plants from taking over.
  • Mulching: Mulch your garden to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.
  • Pruning: Prune trees and shrubs as needed to maintain their shape and health.
  • Dividing Perennials: Divide perennials every few years to prevent them from becoming overcrowded.
  • Adding Compost: Add compost to your garden each year to improve soil fertility.
  • Observe and Adapt: Continue to observe your garden and make adjustments as needed to improve the habitat for wildlife.

Making it Happen: A Step-by-Step Guide​

  1. Start Small: Don't feel like you need to transform your entire yard overnight. Begin with a small section and gradually expand your wildlife garden over time.
  2. Plan Your Design: Sketch out a rough plan of your garden, noting the location of existing features and where you want to add new plants and structures.
  3. Prepare the Soil: Amend the soil with compost and other organic matter to improve its drainage and fertility.
  4. Plant Your Native Plants: Choose native plants that are appropriate for your region and the conditions in your garden.
  5. Add Water Features: Install a bird bath, pond, or other water feature.
  6. Create Shelter: Provide shelter for wildlife by adding brush piles, rock piles, or nesting boxes.
  7. Mulch and Water: Mulch your garden to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water your plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
  8. Observe and Enjoy: Watch your wildlife garden come to life and enjoy the beauty of nature in your own backyard.

The Ripple Effect​

Remember that even a small wildlife garden can have a positive impact on the environment. By providing habitat for wildlife, you are helping to support biodiversity and create a healthier ecosystem. Your garden can become a haven for creatures of all sizes, from the tiniest insects to the most majestic birds.

By embracing the principles of wildlife gardening, you can transform your backyard into a vibrant ecosystem that benefits both nature and yourself. So, get outside, get your hands dirty, and start creating your own haven for wildlife today!

References​