Ladybug Gardens

Flower gardeners also like to have ladybugs in their gardens.  Why?

Because these pretty bugs will eat aphids, which are a menace to the flowers.  Another bug that can protect the flowers from pests is the praying mantis.  Gardners can order them too, through a nursery, seed catalog, or over the Internet. 

Praying mantises will eat most of the crop-damaging insects and keep your garden fairly bug-free.  As a matter of fact, if a praying mantis gets hungry enough, it will also eat its own babies and spouse!  Female praying mantises have been known to eat the head right off their men! 

Curiously, this doesn’t kill the unlucky bug.  Because of the way insect bodies work, they can survive without heads for some time, the only problem is that without a mouth, they can no longer eat and eventually die of starvation.  So, when someone warns you not to lose your head, just think what it might mean for a bug like the praying mantis!

Diversity Is Key To A Garden

A woodland wildlife garden features a diversity of plants at all levels, from ground covers and vines to towering trees.  Birds especially appreciate the birdhouses located beneath the shelter of large trees.

Diversity is key, whether in a small or large scale garden, it’s important to have the right mix of plants and trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines and flowers, in addition to amenities such as feeders, birdhouses and baths.

Together they provide a complete package of food, shelter, and water for wildlife. 

FlowerPot Birdbath

You’ll not only be rewarded each and every day with the chance to observe wildlife up close, but you’ll have the satisfaction of knwoing you’re helping to combat habitat loss, the leading cause of wildlife population decline. 

Once you’ve created a welcoming place for winged wildlife, you’ll find that gardening becomes more enjoyable and even easier, too!  That’s because a fascinating synergy exists bewteen the garden and nature’s winged creatures.

Synergy of Gardening and Winged Creatures

Birds, butterflies, and geneficial ugs assist in the regeneration of plants: 

• Birds disperse the seeds of everything from lowly ground covers to stately trees.
• Butterflies and beneficial bugs such as nonstinging beeds lend a hand in pollination.

Birds and beneficial bugs are among the most effective natural forms of controlling pest insects that damage or even kill plants. 

Did you know that over her lifetime, a lady beetle can eat on the order of 2,500 aphids?  Aphids can damage roses, vegetables, trees, and shrubs.

Garden Planting Strategy

As you plan your planting strategy on whatever scale you choose, always remember to think vertically as well as horizontally.

Wildlife habitats exist at variouis levels of the vertical space that exists between the canopy and the soil.

The uppermost tree branches form the canopy, or highest level.  Smaller trees, shrubs, and vines compose the understory while just below lies the lower horizon, featuring low-growing shrubs, perennials, and annuals.

Finally ground covers, which offer habitats for soil-dwelling creatures, beetles, and ground-feeding birds, blanket the floor.

So, by grouping your plants in latyers, or wildlife zones, you can cater to different species of wildlife, whether they feed or nest on the ground, in trees and bushes or in the air.

Stressed in life?  Gardening is one of the best stress busters around!!  Now, you are beginning to see why!  Once you begin transforming your yard and seeing the results unfold, you’ll have an intimate look at wildlife that’s bound to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! 

Happy Gardening while butterfly attracting!