Create Biodiversity In The Garden

Creating biodiversity in the garden is something that sounds more complicated than it actually is, but it’s not.

We as gardeners know to plant for pollinators like bees. What about planting plants that benefit other plants and help with fighting pests. Leaving a small log so it can be home to beneficial wildlife or creating a pond. There is also talk about just planting natives but you can have enormous biodiversity with more ornamental plants in a garden one example is Great Dixter in the UK. Everyone can play a part in creating biodiversity in this world even if you have a small garden. Your small garden and then your neighbors gardens make one big garden. So how can you create a biodiverse garden?

Build a log or rock pile

Logs and rocks can be a home for wildlife and other plants. Moss, mushrooms and lichen will grow on them. Toads, frogs and snakes will use them as shelter which in return will thank you by eating pests such as slugs, snails, mice, earwigs and beetles. Not to mention bees such as bumble bees nest in the ground.

Plant for pollinators, and birds

Planting for pollinators, predators and birds is really the same thing.

Flowers such as nepeta, columbine, and honey suckle attracts bees and hummingbirds. Want butterflies plant aster, lantana, achillea or rudbeckia. Leaving seed heads from a flower like echinacea will provide a winter food source for birds.

Shrubs and trees will provide both shelter and a food source. A blueberry bush alone provides a food source for pollinators well in flower which then turn into berries for you and the birds, it can also be a nesting site. Shrubs spirea, holly, butterfly bush, or rhododendron are also good choices. Trees not only offer us shade but are good for wildlife as well. Take a look at magnolia, crabapple, or maples. Fallen leaves will be used as shelter during cold weather and then you can use the leaves to make leaf mould.

Grasses often overlooked but just as important. Birds will eat the seeds or use the grass as nesting material. Insects such as bees will lay eggs in a hollow stem. Spiders, snakes, and toads will hide out in grass. Grasses also play host for butterflies and moths grasses such as big/little bluestem, carex, and switchgrass.

Add water

It can be a birdbath or a small pond. Water attracts all sorts of wildlife. A pond even if it’s a bucket you can plant water plants; if making a small pond make sure at least one side has a slope so mammals can get out if they fall in. Insects need to have a drink as well; put marbles or rocks in a birdbath so they can land and you’ll be amazed how many bees show up.

Put up a bird house, bee hotel, or bat house

This is pretty self explanatory there are many good homes you can either build yourself. Adding a shelter will not only provide cover but also a place for wildlife to reproduce.

Dont spray

Spraying will make your garden an ecological desert. Killing both pests and beneficials. You can’t have predators without prey. You may have some pests but will be kept in check. Ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and damsel bugs will prey on aphids, caterpillars, and thrips. If you want to stop spraying know that their will be a boom in pests before the predators show back up to bring the pest population back down so keep your nerve.

Take time to enjoy your garden

Yes enjoy your garden stop picking weeds for a minute or two to see all the wildlife around you that you invited in by creating a diverse garden.