How To Make Your Garden Wildlife Friendly
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Wildlife gardens are important for encouraging biodiversity, which is what makes our ecosystem viable and strong. If you don't already have these things to encourage more wildlife presence in your garden, I highly recommend it.
Even if you only provide one or two of these things, you may be working in tandem with other gardens in your neighborhood without even realizing it. Better yet, make a plan with your neighbors to incorporate some things while you work on the others, giving wildlife an even larger habitat!
Wildlife gardens need four basic things:
Food
Having plenty of food sources may seem like a no brainer, but did you realize that these food sources don't all have to be naturally occurring?
Plants are incredible food and nectar sources for all sorts of birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. But if you're limited on space, looking for more variety of food sources, or simply hoping for more wildlife species, bird feeders and nectar feeders are simple ways to achieve those goals.
Having bird feeders allows you to change out food to attract different types of birds, or get multiple feeders to accommodate multiple species. Feeders can also spread out sources so competitive species don't have to battle for food.
Have you ever watched a couple of male hummingbirds dive-bomb each other around a nectar feeder? While natural and slightly comical, having multiple sources, whether its two or more feeders or a combination of plants and feeders, can prevent unnecessary competition.
Here are three bird feeder options that can each hold multiple types of seed:
You can find so many different types of seeds from specialty shops, or even from big retailers. I would suggest doing some research on the types of birds you want to see. If you want songbirds, you'll want something smaller. Some blends even have fruits and nuts. Do your research and find what works for your area and preferences.
These three nectar feeders are similar to ones I've used or currently use myself:
I personally prefer a glass feeder, but as long as you can clean it well in between refills, find one that fits your budget and space.
I recommend making your own nectar with a 3 part water to 1 part sugar ratio. Dissolve the sugar in boiling water and let it cool before filling your feeder. You don't need to add any food coloring, despite popular opinion. Trust me, they'll find the food without the color.
Change out the nectar every 5-7 days, depending on use and weather. During the warmer days, I change mine every 4-5 days, or as soon as the nectar starts to get cloudy. I never fill my feeders all the way because I hope it all gets drank before I have to change it, and if not, I'm not wasting as much.
Water
If you live near a source of water, even a small creek, then this might not be something you don't necessarily have to incorporate. Keep in mind, though, that having a source in your own garden can give a more stable and controllable water source for your new friends. Frogs, for example, prefer fresh and relatively still water, both for breeding and for hydration.
Having a water source doesn't mean building a pond complete with a waterfall. If you have the space and time and money for it, then more power to you! Go for it! I can't wait to see it!
However, if you're anything like me, the budget and space are equally limited. It doesn't have to be perfect! It just has to reliable about filling a need.
You can see my post about bringing more frogs to the garden for my (very) rudimentary water source.
I used an old plastic saucer I had to create a simple source of water for frogs, bees, and butterflies. The rocks act as resting places for bees so they don't drown, and as a ramp for amphibians.
I've also seen people take galvanized tubs, line them, then fill them with water, aquatic plants and rocks. They turn out beautifully and, if you have most of the materials around, it can be done pretty frugally.
Even with these, the trick is making sure that the water stays fresh and clean.
A birdbath is a great source of water that's both aesthetically pleasing and entertaining. Watching birds splash around never fails to make me smile.
There are so many pretty birdbaths out there.
If you want something to enjoy all year round, you could consider a heated birdbath.
Or try a hanging birdbath. I'm a sucker for copper and really want this one.
If you go with a birdbath, I recommend a solar power agitator of some sort to help keep mosquitos away.
Nesting Area
It doesn't matter what wildlife you're hoping or focusing on bringing to your yard. If you want them to stay, they'll need places to raise their young.
I'm fortunate that I have a wooded area behind my house with some nice mature trees. These are perfect for all the birds in the area to built nests.
For bunnies, having undisturbed meadow or prairie spaces, or dense shrubs, gives them places to have their babies and raise them until they are independent.
Choosing native plants gives caterpillars host plants to lay eggs.
That pond or water garden is important for the amphibians.
You can broadly incorporate multiple nesting areas, or you can do your research on the specific wildlife you're interested in and focus on creating safe places for them to raise their young.
Newly hatched cardinal babies found in a potted evergreen at my in-laws.
Shelter
Similar to providing a nesting area, you'll also need to provide safe places for them to sleep and find shelter from weather and threats.
Again, I'm lucky to have the woods around so a lot of critters can go find safety in a fallen branch, under some brush, or in the evergreens.
If you don't have shelter already, provide shelter for multiple species with:
Dense shrubs
Roosting boxes
Rocks
Log piles
Brambles
Pond or water garden
Next Steps
After you incorporate these four things, along with continued sustainability practices, you can look into certifying your garden as a wildlife habitat through The National Wildlife Federation! They are a huge resource for creating and maintaining a wildlife-friendly garden or any size.
If you already have these things in place, or you're starting to incorporate them, I'd love to hear about it! Send me a message, leave me a comment, or find me on social media.