Creating a Wildlife-friendly Garden

Wildlife-rich gardens support biodiversity and ecosystem health. Many questionable practices, however, like the considerable use of pesticides on lawns over the years, are detrimental to wildlife, such as bees. Here are some wildlife-friendly garden practices to replace these outdated approaches:

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Picking the Plants

One of the least helpful elements to introduce to a wildlife-friendly garden is invasive species. By contrast, native plants feed the local wildlife and create familiar shelter. The garden shouldn't be a mere lawn. Diverse plants, like trees, shrubs, flowers, and various grass species, are effective inclusions. Flowering plants, in particular, attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Therefore, the more flowers, the more wildlife the garden will welcome.

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Water Sources

Wildlife will make the garden home if it has enough food and water. A simple birdbath or a small pond can be enough to quench the thirst of birds, insects, and small mammals. However, these water sources should be shallow and safe for small creatures.

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Habitats

Small garden critters will be more willing to stay long-term if they have shelter. Make a home for the critters by leaving some parts of the garden wild with piles of leaves, logs, or rocks for creatures to shelter. Alternatively, to take it further, install birdhouses, bat boxes, and insect hotels for nesting and roosting purposes.

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Food Supply

Food attracts wild critters the most. Welcome them to the garden with berry shrubs and seed-bearing flowers, both natural food sources. Don't use pesticides and herbicides unless necessary. They can repel and even harm or kill the wildlife.

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Pollinators

Food, water, and shelter will bring wildlife to the garden, but pollination will keep it there. To support pollination, pick plants that flower at different times of the year. These flowers will feed pollinators over the seasons without long breaks. Ideally, avoid hybrid plants. They often make less nectar and pollen than non-hybrid varieties.

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Sustainable Gardening

Make sure garden practices don't get in the way. Use organic gardening methods to keep the soil healthy and avoid chemicals unless necessary. Composting is another excellent practice. It creates a natural way to recycle garden waste and improve soil quality without toxic chemicals. The lawn, especially comprising non-native species of grass, should be smaller to decrease monoculture and support diverse plant life. Mow it less often and leave some parts of the grass longer so insects can enter a habitat.

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Wildlife in gardens rekindles a connection to nature and supports environmental conservation. If you're considering creating a wildlife-friendly garden but are unsure where to start, talk to a local landscaping service for guidance and a quote.​​