If you have a garden, then it’s understandable that you’ll want to make it as friendly for your local wildlife. After all, nothing quite compares to being able to birdwatch or even be able to see squirrels running across the garden.
It’s just another way to reap the rewards of gardening!
6 Ways to Invite Wildlife to Visit You
Here’s how to get started when you’re trying to attract wildlife to watch.
1 – Plant Some Small Shrubs
If you want to bird-watch, then you need to plant small or woody shrubs. Small berry bushes are also ideal, as they provide a valuable food source and a grazing spot for smaller animals. Low-lying flowers attract rabbits, and they also provide a good amount of shelter for smaller animals. If you want to make the most out of your garden, then it helps to look into a dumpster rental service, as they can help you to clear out any waste that could be potentially harmful to wildlife.
2 – Always Gave a Water Source
Having a clean and fresh water source will also help you to attract even more wildlife. Fountains, ponds, and even birdbaths are all great options here, and they will also help you draw amphibians. However, you need to make sure that you keep it clean and that you refill it often too. This is especially the case during the summer because this is when animals rely on it the most.
3 – Fruit Trees Are Great for Wildlife
Fruit trees remain to be a fantastic way for you to attract a huge amount of wildlife. They are great for squirrels, and when the fruit drops, they can be a food source for deer, foxes, and hedgehogs. Trees that can hold their fruit throughout winter offer even bigger benefits, as food is often scarce throughout the colder months.
4 – Flowers and Insects
Bees are always a pleasant sight in any garden. Help them by planting flowers that can be visited all year round. In the spring, aubretia is great, and catmint works well in summer. Autumn is ideal for dahlias, as this provides a lot of nectar as the colder months start to approach.
5 – Shelter
Almost every wild creature will require some form of shelter. They use them to rest, as cover against the rain, and even as shade during summer. If you want to make sure that you provide a good amount of shelter for your wildlife, you need to focus on planting deciduous trees and evergreen plants. This will give you some structure for your garden, and it will also give your wildlife the cover they need.
Some plants look great when allowed to grow naturally, whereas others need a lot of care and attention, making sure that you are willing to put the work in when choosing your plants. Brush piles or even fallen trees can be great for wildlife too, and although you might not want this in your garden, you can think of creative ways to hide them. Bird boxes are also another great way for you to add shelter. They are ideal for bats, and if you put them on the floor and open up the entrance a little, they’re great for hedgehogs too.
6 – Birds
Attracting birds is very easy to do, and as mentioned above, bird boxes are a great way for you to really make them feel welcome. You might also want to add a bird feeder too. Prices for a bird feeder will vary, so if you want to save, why not think about making your own?
Hummingbirds love the color red, so put your birdfeeder among red flowers or even paint the feeder itself. If you want to get the best result out of your garden venture, you need to remember that certain birds will feed at different heights, and others will be attracted to different kinds of feed. One way for you to make the most out of your money would be for you to research the birds in your area to provide them with a great food source. You also need to watch out for squirrels too, as they often use feeders. If this is something that you want to stop, then you can get some squirrel-proof feeders. This will leave more food for the birds, and it will also stop you from having to refill it as often as well.
Remember, too, that winter birds will need your help in the upcoming colder months!
Now…Go Invite That Wildlife!
Of course, there are so many ways that you can really invite more wildlife to your garden. But by following the above yard design tips, you can be sure to really help yourself and the animals, butterflies, amphibians, and birds in your local area.
Content last updated 07.08.2021
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificate in Natural Health from a fully-accredited program and is a Certified Herbologist. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
