Backyard Gardens…How To Create Native Habitats At Your Back Door!
The sun is shining, the grass is greening and the nights are cooling off… Autumn is here and what a fantastic time to get your hands dirty in some soil and re-vamp your home gardens.
Whilst we select our plants generally in line with what colour flowers we like, height limitations, the latest planting trends and even different tones of foliage we want to include- we don’t necessarily think about the special habitats we are creating.
Habitat gardening is an exciting way we can beautiful our outdoor spaces, whilst also encouraging communities of beneficial insects, reptiles, mammals and birds to co-inhabit your outdoor areas.
By habitat planting you are creating a healthy space for these species to have safe shelter, food and also breeding sites- as well as attracting insects that also in-turn provide a living feeding ground food for some insect eating species. You are also allowing for more pollinators, creating a healthier garden for you… it’s win win!
So how do you plant up your patch to invite some extra critters in?
Here are some key tips to consider and help build your very own habitat garden:
Other great inclusions are a bee hotel, a butterfly box and also bird nesting boxes as well as seed feeders.
Happy gardening!
Whilst we select our plants generally in line with what colour flowers we like, height limitations, the latest planting trends and even different tones of foliage we want to include- we don’t necessarily think about the special habitats we are creating.
Habitat gardening is an exciting way we can beautiful our outdoor spaces, whilst also encouraging communities of beneficial insects, reptiles, mammals and birds to co-inhabit your outdoor areas.
By habitat planting you are creating a healthy space for these species to have safe shelter, food and also breeding sites- as well as attracting insects that also in-turn provide a living feeding ground food for some insect eating species. You are also allowing for more pollinators, creating a healthier garden for you… it’s win win!
So how do you plant up your patch to invite some extra critters in?
Here are some key tips to consider and help build your very own habitat garden:
- Plant native trees, medium shrubs and groundcovers- as well as grasses. This will provide cover and shelter from predators and the elements, plenty of food and a safe area for breeding. Native plants provide seeds, nectar, nuts, fruits, foliage and pollen- all beneficial for a healthy habitat garden.
- Grasses provide a wonderful habitat for reptiles. Some great grasses to add are Tussocks and Lomandra.
- Small, thorny shrubs (such as Acacia Paradoxa) may not be your first choice for garden plants but they provide such valuable shelter for smaller ground birds such as Wrens, Finches and Willy Wag Tails.
- Leaf litter and mulch provide a great habitat for insects to live and thrive in.
- Placing bird baths or a pond is a wonderful way to allow frogs and insects to reproduce, give all inhabitants somewhere reliable to drink from and also a place for bathing and breeding. REMEMBER to place a large stone or something similar to enable a place to rest for your thirsty patrons so they do not drown!
Other great inclusions are a bee hotel, a butterfly box and also bird nesting boxes as well as seed feeders.
Happy gardening!