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By Jim Gallion, President of Wildlife Gardening Adventures
Jim is a longtime member of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, Maryland Native Plant Society Board of Directors, Master Gardener, and National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward.
Now that winter has arrived it's a great time to evaluate our home gardens and landscaping to see how wildlife fit into the plan. By providing nutritious food, clean water, protection from predators and the cold, gardeners can make a big difference for our wildlife friends, especially during the winter.
Here are some tips that we use on our property here in Maryland and can be used in your gardens too. Your location and species might be different but the same basic principles will apply. Do your research.
One of the best ways to provide essential habitat elements into your garden is to use plant material that is native to your region and in most cases indigenous to your own micro climate and soil conditions. See what plants are native to your area and what kinds of plant-animal relationships you have.
Most often when we think of feeding wildlife in the winter it relates to birds. Providing bird food is a great way to attract and help our feathered friends. Native plants produce berries, nuts and seeds that birds relish. Think of bird feeders as providing a supplemental food source for birds when natural food is scarce.
If you do decide to use a bird feeder be sure to keep it clean. Small mammals might be attracted to these feeders and in turn feed some of our predators like foxes and raptors. If you live in the city and don't want to attract rodents, use only seed that will not be wasted or tossed out by a finicky visitor. The best combinations are hulled sunflower seeds, thistle and suet. This will attract and sustain the largest variety of bird species.
Here in suburban Maryland we have provided native tree and shrub species such as winterberry holly, viburnums, dogwoods, and sugar maple to help support our winter birds. It's important to remember to not cut back native perennials with seeds in the fall.
We leave all of the plants standing such as coneflowers, sunflowers, liatris, and rudbeckias and watch the small birds like finches snack on them through the cold and snow. These plants provide native wildlife food, garden interest and overwintering shelter for many insects, eggs and larva. Remove any non-native, invasive species that birds may carry with them to deposit in sensitive natural areas.
Winter shelter is extremely important to our critter friends. Loss of habitat is the biggest threat to many wildlife species today. By doing our part to provide shelter from predators and winter weather we increase the chances for their survival. Planting native evergreen trees like spruce, cedar, hemlocks and firs will provide essential shelter for many songbirds and small mammals.
If you have a deciduous wooded lot with dead trees standing, please consider leaving them standing if there is no risk of injury if they fall. These provide important habitat for our cavity dwellers. Birdhouses can serve as winter roosting boxes. Prepare the birdhouse by cleaning it and stuffing it with a lining of dry grasses or shredded newspapers.
Another great way to provide shelter is to construct a brush pile. Through out the year we gather mounds of yard debris including twigs and branches. This plant material can be recycled into a wonderfully diverse mini-habitat of its own. Think of the brush pile having multiple layers for different species. On the bottom layer you would have logs or large branches. As the pile grows, build it up with yard waste like leaves, small branches and twigs.
The size of your brush pile can vary depending on the space and location you have available. These brush piles invite small mammals, salamanders, insects and birds. For best results do not disturb the site except to gently add new material in the fall.
Flowing water is an important element for winter survival. Most of us don't have a natural spring or creek in our yards. In the winter birds are looking for water to bathe in and to drink, and small mammals need water too. Water can be provided in something as casual as a heated dog dish all the way up to an elaborate pond with a flowing stream and waterfall. In any case it's important to have water that's not frozen. Ponds with some debris and potted plants at the bottom provide overwintering places for frogs other aquatic life.
Winter is the time we step back and evaluate our gardens. It's the perfect time to consider what our gardens really do. Our own landscaping practices here in Maryland have gone from constant mowing, weeding, and yard-decorating to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to gardening. Take a look around your own property and see where you might be able to incorporate some of these wildlife gardening techniques.
The rewards are many and your wildlife friends will appreciate the help. As you plan your new garden take time to get familiar with the species you are trying to help and attract. Do some research on your local species of animals and plants. Enjoy watching the wildlife that come, and they will come, with your help. Spend some time outdoors scouting the neighborhood for signs of wildlife. Take a walk in the woods to see natural areas and take those ideas back to your gardens. Other ideas for your new gardening plans may include a rain garden or a summer Monarch Butterfly Waystation!
For more on Monarch Butterflies go to: www.monarchwatch.org
For more help identifying your local native plant species check with your native plant society or use your region's field guides. A website that offers these guides on line is at: www.enature.com.
Also visit the National Wildlife Federation website for backyard wildlife habitats at: www.nwf.org. Happy New Year to you and your new wildlife friends!
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