Has it ever happened that a squirrel made a fast dash across your yard and you found your once-groomed plants were destroyed by its antics? I used to find them annoying until I realized they are part of the local ecosystem and if we plan a bit, we can share the space.
If you, like me, want to attract wildlife to your yard but not let them harm your garden, this article is just for you. I’m about to share how you can enjoy nature’s visitors without sacrificing your garden’s beauty.
Why Supporting Local Wildlife Helps Your Garden
Let me start by saying that I wasn’t always on board with the idea of “sharing” my garden. At the beginning, I thought I could scare away the squirrels, birds and rabbits, but as I found out more about why it’s good to have local animals, something inside me started to change.
What surprised me was that wildlife can be very helpful in your garden. Native animals assist in keeping the balance of nature by getting rid of pests and pollinating plants. Birds enjoy insects that might harm your plants and bees and butterflies help pollinate flowers. It’s nature’s version of natural pest control.
Local Wildlife Helps Keep Things Balanced
When I stopped to think, I saw that these animals were part of what made my garden successful. It’s all about balance. Supporting these creatures gave them a home and helped increase the diversity of life nearby which improved the local ecosystem.
Benefits You Didn’t Expect
After some time, I saw that my vegetables were healthier and my flowers were looking brighter. The critters had helped and I got a garden that grew better and could withstand more. It felt like a win-win.
Ways to Welcome Local Wildlife to Your Garden Without Hurting It
I had to solve this part: how to attract these animals and keep my plants safe from them. I began by thinking I would hate it, but it turned out to be setting aside areas for wildlife. At first, I feared it would make my backyard look “wild” or unkempt, but instead, I found that a little planning can keep everything in harmony.
Plant Wildlife-Friendly Vegetation
Planting local plants that attract animals but don’t get damaged is one of the best things to do. Consider your yard to be a safe place for wild animals. Echinacea, black-eyed Susans and wildflowers attract bees and butterflies and they also give food and shelter to birds and small animals.
Narrowed Down to Three Plants:
- Coneflowers: Bright and welcoming for bees.
- Milkweed: Essential for attracting butterflies.
- Sunflowers: A tasty treat for birds.
Build Small Habitats for Wildlife
Making small areas where animals can feel secure is very important. I first put up birdhouses and nesting boxes in my garden. It was not much to do, but it really helped a lot. The birds in my area started to visit which reduced the number of insects in my garden.
I added a small dish of water for birds and squirrels to use. Adding a simple faucet can greatly help, mainly during summer when water is harder to find.
What Steps to Take When Wildlife Moves into Your Garden
At some point, you’ll have to accept that wildlife won’t always respect your boundaries. When a family of rabbits came and ate all my kale, that was really my first big challenge. I found out that the key is to make your space feel safe in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
Install Barriers Without Compromising the Aesthetic
I was sure I needed an ugly fence, but I decided on a garden netting that looks wonderful with my plants. My garden looked nice while rabbits were kept away from it. Plus, it’s reusable, which is both practical and eco-friendly.
Consider Companion Planting
This is a strategy I wish I’d learned earlier. Some plants naturally repel pests or animals. To keep rabbits and squirrels from eating my vegetables, I planted garlic and onions nearby and they didn’t get harmed. They couldn’t stand the smell which was good for my vegetables.
Monitor and Adapt
Gardens are all different and what helps one person might not help someone else. It became obvious to me that being flexible is the main way to share space with wildlife. I would sometimes need to rearrange my strategy, experiment and give it time. It took a little time and effort, but I was very happy when I saw my garden growing well.
Enjoying Wildlife Grow and Thrive in Your Own Garden
I feel a little sentimental here. After spending a year helping my garden and the local wildlife get along, I saw that I had a tiny ecosystem in my backyard. I could enjoy my morning coffee while watching birds hop from one branch to another, squirrels run around and play and butterflies fly in the wind.
The goal is to make a place where you and the environment can both live in harmony. Knowing that a rabbit was eating just the edges of my garden, instead of destroying it, was a little success for me. I was giving them privacy and they were giving me privacy too.
Why It Feels Good to Help Local Animals
It wasn’t always simple for me to stop being in charge. As soon as I stopped trying to change the environment, I started to enjoy sharing it. Knowing what I was doing for animals and the environment made me feel more attached to the place. It turned into a safe haven for both plants and animals, not just a garden.
Conclusion
Trying to live in balance with the animals in my backyard has been very satisfying for me. After some effort, patience and experimentation, I can now watch the natural world from my window. My garden looks better, is healthier and is full of life.
Have you ever tried any of these ideas in your own garden? What little things have you done to attract more wildlife to your garden? Share your experiences below, and feel free to pin this for your own seasonal reset!
