Convert Your Manicured Lawn to a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

I know we talk a lot about vegetable gardening here, but what if you want a lower-maintenance garden that is still sustainable and eco-friendly? Today we're discussing a slightly different type of garden - one that's wildlife-friendly. Keep in mind you probably won't want to grow edible vegetables in your wildlife garden, unless you are just growing them for the animals to eat! But it can be a fun way to try a new kind of gardening that is a lot less resource-intensive than maintaining a lawn.

wildlife garden (Photo credit: helen.2006)

Homeowners tend to have a great sense of pride associated with their lawns. They keep them cut short, use pesticides to keep them weed-free, and water them during dry spells. It takes a lot of work, but many feel that it's worth it to maintain a neat and tidy appearance.

But a growing number of homeowners are deciding to forgo mainstream lawn care practices and make their lawns more wildlife-friendly. This requires some work, too – it's not as easy as just ceasing to mow. A good wildlife garden has flowers and plants that attract and feed native species. But for those who enjoy watching nature up close, they are certainly worth the effort.

There are many advantages to turning your lawn into a wildlife garden. Here are a few to think about.

* Wildlife gardens are easy to care for. There is some work involved in getting them started, but once the plants are growing, you don't have to do much in the way of maintenance. You never have to mow, and watering requirements are minimal. Even when the weather is dry, the long grasses and weeds will retain more water than a manicured lawn.

* The native plants used in a wildlife garden are beautiful, and they tend to do very well since they are in their natural habitat. You don't have to worry much about them becoming diseased or needing extra attention, because they are already adapted to the weather and conditions in your area.

* A good wildlife garden attracts all types of species. Some plants attract insects, which in turn attract birds and other animals that feed on them. Other plants directly attract small animals, which in turn attract larger animals that are their natural predators.

English: Wildlife Garden The Derwen Garden Centre display (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Wildlife gardens provide an unparalleled learning experience for children. They learn about plants and animals in school, but getting to see them up close and personal makes much more of an impression than looking at pictures in books. It also encourages them to ask questions and interact with their surroundings.

* Wildlife gardens are very environmentally friendly. Since you won't be mowing, you will create much less air pollution. And the absence of pesticides is not only good for the animals that visit and live in your garden, it's also good for soil and groundwater quality - and for your family.

A wildlife garden is much more interesting than a stretch of short, perfectly uniform grass. And it's also good for the animals that inhabit your surroundings. It provides them with food and shelter, and it provides you with a wealth of natural beauty right in your own yard.

Advanced Sustainable Garding Tip: Adding A Backyard Fishpond

You may not think of a fish pond as a part of the garden, but actually fishponds can be a great asset to your sustainable gardening endeavors. Not only do they make an attractive addition to the scenery, but they can be an amazing source of fertilizer for your garden - maybe the only one you need, if your garden is small! My sister called my attention to this fact. She is an avid gardener, and every time she cleans out her koi pond, she adds the contents to her garden or compost. She has one of the most beautiful, lush, and healthy organic gardens I've ever seen. All she does is use the natural waste from her fish to feed her garden, which then feeds her family - now that's what I call sustainable!

Here are some tips on building your own fish pond:

Remember that a small backyard pond isn't just for fish, but also for butterflies, frogs, birds, you, and the whole family. These ponds may be quite small, even as small as 3 to 4 feet in diameter, which should be quite easy to maintain. These will not only provide enjoyment and visual interest but also a natural and relaxing environment as well.

Where to Build a Backyard Pond

A pond in a residential garden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For best ambiance, place your fish pond in a place where you can easily view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Integrate it into the natural surroundings, and do not place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle it in a mostly shaded place but not directly under trees, where you'll have problems with leaves in the fall, and it may be too shady for some aquatic plants.

Landscaping

It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding the pond so that excess water will not drain into it. This can cause it to overflow, and in cases where you may have neighboring lawns, chemicals could flow into the pond and kill your fish. Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that it drains the water away from your house - not towards it.

Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs that need water and land. Make sure that electricity is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a water re-circulating device.

Using Pond Liners

Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into the soil. This is almost always necessary for small ponds even if it they are situated in clay soils. Plastic pond liners come in different shapes and sizes. They even include built in waterfalls or any design based on your preferences. They are durable and convenient.

Pond liners come in different thicknesses as well. The thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to punctures. Cement may be considered as an optional pool liner. However, it requires more expertise to install and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond liner.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

However, considering that many ponds are quite small, plastics are often the best choice. However, keep in mind that some of the cheaper ones may break down easily under prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, so they may need to be replaced every few years. Some plastics also may prove to be toxic to fish, so be sure to check before buying one, that it is safe for fish and wildlife. (Look for those marked "Nontoxic" or "Fish Safe".)

Pond Installation

Time your pond building when the ground is not overly wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump. Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week before placing the fish.

Then sit back and enjoy your backyard fish pond!


Resources to Help Build Your Fishpond:
   

Video - Growing Vegetables In The Shade

In this helpful video, John explores some vegetables that grow well in the shade. Shade can be quite a challenge for gardeners, particularly if you are limited in your garden space and don't have many options for where to place your garden. But all is not lost! Remember that fruiting plants (e.g. tomatoes, peppers, etc.) generally need more than 6 hours of full sun per day, which may be doable in the middle of summer for many, but if not, roots, tubers, and leafy vegetables often do quite well in partial shade - some even better than in full sun. This video explains why this is, and what are some good vegetables to choose for your shady spaces. Some of them are unique and interesting vegetables that you may not have considered, so you may even find a new gem for your garden that you just love! (My parents grew many of these when I was growing up, so I have fond memories of Jerusalem artichokes and chufas!)

Growing Vegetables in the Shade - What Can I grow?
John of www.growingyourgreens.com shares with you his experiences in growing vegetables and other food crops in the shade. Watch this video to learn which vegetables tend to grow better in the shade, and find out what happens when something is labeled...

Gardening In the Shade

Now that all the trees are fully leafed out, I am faced once again with my other yearly gardening battle (besides the squirrels) - how to grow vegetables in the shade. About half of my small garden space gets a couple of hours of sun per day. The rest gets more - probably 6 or 7 - in mid-summer, and 4-5 depending on the season the rest of the time. My sister sent me a link to this excellent article on what vegetables grow well in the shade - actually most of these are the kinds of things I grow already, so I guess I figured a lot of it out by trial and error.

Anyway, I thought some of you other sustainable gardeners might be facing the same challenge, so here are some helpful resources for gardening in the shade - whether you grow vegetables, or more of an ornamental type of garden.

The one my sister sent me - there is an article attached to it, but here is the list of shade-tolerant veggies, which I found very helpful: http://www.motherearthnews.com/shade-tolerant-vegetables-zm0z11zsto.aspx

Some other good articles to check out:

Cover of The Complete Shade Gardener

Connecticut NOFA: Gardening in the Shade
When CT NOFA tables at farmers markets and other environmental events, a lot of people drop by the table and ask questions about gardening. The complaint we hear so often is about gardening in the shade. At-home food ...
Publish Date: 05/18/2012 10:09
http://ctnofa1982.blogspot.com/2012/05/gardening-in-shade.html

That Bloomin' Garden: Planting Vegetables in the Shade
When growing vegetables in partial shade to full shade let them have a bit more room as in low light they will tend to sprawl a bit. What I like about growing leafy vegetables in the shade is that they don't bolt as quickly and the ...
Publish Date: 04/23/2012 12:33
http://thatbloomingarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/planting-vegetables-in-shade.html

The best plants for shade
Having a shady yard doesn't mean that you have to give up on your garden all together; you just have to know what to plant!
Publish Date: 05/18/2012 12:35
http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/960009/the-best-plants-for-shade

Year-round Beauty in a Shade Garden - BLOGS - The Morning Call
“Almost universally, gardeners think of shade as a problem.” (George Schenk, The Complete Shade Gardener, 1st Edition) In reality, shade in the ornamental garden is more an opportunity than a problem. Pick the right plants ...
Publish Date: 04/23/2012 13:41
http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2012/04/year-round-beauty-in-a-shade-garden.html

Little Homestead in Boise: Ten Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade ...
Ten Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade- I found this today, great timing since we've been building our new raised bed, which is part shade- 10 Veggies for Shade Good to know! New Raised Bed- Dave and I finally got the ...
Publish Date: 05/06/2012 20:15
http://littlehomesteadinboise.blogspot.com/2012/05/ten-vegetables-you-can-grow-in-shade.html

Best Container Vegetables to Grow in the Shade | Urban Organic ...
You've scoped out your garden space… …and determined how much direct sunlight it gets. Your garden gets less than 6 hours and you feel hopeless. Sorry to break it to you, but that means you can't grow tomatoes.
Publish Date: 03/26/2012 4:37
http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/2012/03/best-container-vegetables-to-grow-in-the-shade/

Here are a few more resources you may want to look at. And check back Friday for a helpful video on this topic as well.

   

Spring Garden Update

It's my birthday today, and I thought it would be a good time to share an update from my own garden where I spend as much time as possible - I just realized I haven't done an update yet this year! Most of these pictures are actually a couple of weeks old, so by now some things are a lot bigger - especially the peas, which have far outgrown their wimpy trellis, and have become a tangled mat of inter-woven vines - they're finally blooming now though! I'll try to post an updated picture of those soon. Most of the other stuff hasn't changed all that much though, although I'm on to the next crop of mustard greens, and lettuce and green beans are starting to take off.

My garden this year is largely an experiment - partly because I'm growing a bunch of stuff I've never grown before (or at least haven't grown in Ohio), and partly because I'm following more of a succession planting model, as learned from Eliot Coleman's excellent books on year-round gardening. One thing bolts or comes to harvest time, and comes out, the next goes right in (along with some fertilizer), as opposed to my usual more lackadasical approach of just letting things run their course and die down before I do anything new with the bed. I hope to make the most of my little space using this method, and so far it seems to be working quite well.

Check out the April pictures below, and I'll try to post some updates soon! (Hyacinths and the pea trellis were from March.)

Happy Hyacinths (March).

Cute little home-made pea trellis.

Baby peas beginning their journey upwards!

Mustard & Onions - after a rain.

Garlic I planted last fall - looking huge & healthy!

Strawberries behind critter netting (they're a lot bigger now).

Video - Compost Tea Experiment

This short but interesting video shows the results of an experiment in which one tomato plant was fed with compost tea, and the other received no compost. Just this little difference in feeding creates a huge difference in results, as you can see. Compost tea is easy to make yourself from your mature compost. (See our previous blog post for how to make compost tea.)

Check it out, and see just how much compost can benefit your organic garden!

Probiotic Garden - Comparison of tomato plant experiment using compost tea
Join Will today as he discusses how he teams with nature by enlisting the help of bacteria and fungi in actively aerated compost tea in the care of his garden. Will explains an experiment he has run this summer using two tomato plants. In this experi...
 

Learn More About Composting:
   

Store-Bought Fertilizer Versus Home-Made Compost

You may wonder what the different benefits are between fertilizer purchased from the store and compost humus that you make at home.  The aim of both is the same - to improve the quality of your garden, lawn, and soil - but there are differences too.

A green compost bin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many fertilizers that you purchase at your garden center contain artificial or toxic elements to make your lawn and garden look nice – but not necessarily healthier. The benefit of this type of fertilization is the ability to purchase a mix that meets the needs of your specific lawn or garden.  If your lawn is too dry, patchy, or has a lot of weeds – if your garden is weedy or plagued by pests - there is a product available that can target each problem (be aware that a pesticide is part of this solution).  If you are using a commercial mix in your garden, read all labels carefully to ensure the product is safe to use around vegetation that is going to be consumed. If it's not approved for organic gardening, you really don't want it in your food!

In contrast, when you use compost humus as a fertilizer there isn’t a lot you can do to customize the end result.  But the good thing is, you don’t really need to.  Mature compost is a process that occurs naturally, and a well-composed compost contains a wide variety of minerals and nutrients to support a wide spectrum of plant growth.  The compost contains a wide range of benefits for your garden or lawn that do not involve chemicals.

Organic compost for sale. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It will really depend on your personal preference, and your style of gardening, whether or not you use commercial fertilizer or compost.  If you like the idea of gardening organically and using compost but not the idea of making it yourself you can purchase the compost from some gardening centers, or even online.  Also contact your city’s recycling department, as they may have a program set-up that allows residents to donate food and other organic waste for composting and then share in the mature compost when it is ready.