Encourage Wildlife in Your Garden

Choosing the right plants and flowers for your garden is important for making it look beautiful but the best gardens also incorporate local wildlife including butterflies and birds for that extra special touch.  Make your garden more attractive to your animal neighbors by adding a few extra touches to it.  Fill the needs of most animals and you will reap the benefits.

A steady supply of water is necessary.  Animals may visit your garden but if they don’t find any fresh water it’s likely they won’t visit for long. Supply the water these creatures are in search of by installing a pond, adding a bird bathe or even just a rain water collection bucket.

Supply food.  Animals will go where food is available to them. Squirrels, birds, rabbits and chipmunks will visit often if you provide them with food.  This is especially true in the winter months when food is harder to locate or scarce for them.  Regularly make food available and in time you will have the wildlife you are hoping for.  Having readily available food will also help deter your yard animals from eating items in your garden.  Do be careful though, you may eventually get predators in your yard, such as cats and possibly even birds of prey.

Provide shelter.  One of the necessities of life other than food and water is of course, shelter.  Attract birds to your garden by placing a bird house or two in your yard with nesting materials. Leave small areas of your garden untouched or leave leaves around in a particular area providing the smaller animals such as insects and small rodents a place of shelter also.

Now that you’ve covered all the basic needs there are a few more things you can do to attract wildlife.  If you want to attract a specific insect, provide the plants they like to eat. Remember species natural to your area will more than likely be attracted to plants native to your areas as well.  Keep your soil healthy and loose so insects feel welcome.

By taking these few steps into consideration and incorporating them into your garden, you will eventually have the wildlife you desire in your garden. Animals are usually creatures of habit and it may take a while for them to change so just be patient and you’ll reap the rewards of it.

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