Gardenin’ on the Wild Side

Did you know that May is Garden for Wildlife Month?

It is.

So.

Now that you know THAT …

How you gonna celebrate?

Photo by SiefkinDR via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by SiefkinDR via Wikimedia Commons

You know it don’t matter none if you have a sprawlin’ farm or a teensy tiny apartment balcony, you can grow a garden of beautiful blooms for the birds and the bees, butterflies, and other wild neighbors.

Photo by Forest Wander via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Forest Wander via Wikimedia Commons

Why fill a hummingbird feeder when you can offer flowers instead?

Photo by Charlesjsharp via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Charlesjsharp via Wikimedia Commons

And, if you live in an urban setting, your garden will help restore a little oasis of nature where  mostly concrete prevails. Just ask this cozy mourning dove …

Photo by Louis Bennett via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Louis Bennett via Wikimedia Commons

The National Wildlife Federation offers the following tips for tailoring your garden to wildlife (click on a tip to learn how):

  1. Provide Food for Wildlife
  2. Supply Water
  3. Create Cover
  4. Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Young

Once you’ve established these four essential elements to make a healthy and sustainable wildlife habitat, the NWF encourages you to join thousands of gardeners across the country who have qualified for the Certified Wildlife Habitat program.

Now THAT’S somethin’ to celebrate!

  1. Elizabeth says:

    Thanks for the links. I had them on my “Favorites” list awhile back…or so I thought…I have a lot on my “Favorites” list these days;-) Now the ‘NWF’ is back on my favorites list again & I’ve already tapped the site twice this morning just to make sure I’m not missing anything:-) I do Love my garden~the time enjoyed in it (working or relaxing) & so many creations that fly, hop or worm their way in!

  2. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Our Spring has been unusually cool in my part of Florida. The result has been our flowers are flourishing and beautiful. Usually by May, the Winter petunias and pansies are all exhausted. This year is a totally different story. Everything is looks happy in the flower gardens and pots. The long hot summer will arrive soon enough so we plan to be outside and enjoy our flowers for as long as possible!

  3. Kristina says:

    I try to plant petunias for the hummingbirds that visit my porch. The wrens usually take up in our bird houses too. We still have a chance for a frost, so I can’t plant much until Mother’s Day.

  4. Terry Steinmetz says:

    I can finally plant some flower seeds for the pleasure of watching all the birds & butterflies. I’ve enjoyed the hummingbirds sipping from my bleeding hearts in the past years & look forward to it again. With 18 acres of fields mostly open, the wildflowers keep the butterflies & moths fed. I still like to have something for them closer to the house.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *