Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes. They are also very important for our plant growth and development. Cathy Isom has some ways to attract wildlife to your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
From bees, butterflies, and bugs to birds and toads, wildlife increasingly needs our help in order to thrive. Furthermore, in some cases, to simply survive. If you want to do your bit and attract wildlife to your garden here is a list of ideas, some large, some small, that anyone can do.
For example, allowing a small patch of grass grow long creates habitat for plants—particularly wildflowers—and insects such as butterflies. Allowing the grass to grow long in the fall will provide a winter habitat before you tidy it up in the spring.
Growing climbing plants such as Ivy, provides shelter and cover for both birds and insects throughout the year. Other reliable wildlife climbers are the clematis and roses.
Add a water feature such as a pond, or even something as simple as a washing-up bowl filled with rainwater. Feeding birds is a quick and easy way to attract wildlife to your garden. Different types of food will attract different birds, while feeders located in different areas will also attract different species. Try building a bug or insect hotel so that beetles, spiders, dragonflies, bees, and butterflies will have a place to hang out.
One of the easiest ways to attract birds and insects is by planting flowers that they love to pollinate. Growing lots of different varieties means that you will have color and aroma from early spring until late fall.
I’m Cathy Isom…