June Wildlife Gardening: A Guide to Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden
Introduction
June is a great time to enjoy the beauty of nature and attract wildlife to your garden. With the long days and warm weather, there are plenty of opportunities to see and hear wildlife, from buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies to singing birds and graceful dragonflies.
Plants for Wildlife
One of the best ways to attract wildlife to your garden is to plant a variety of plants that provide food and shelter. Some great choices for June include:
- Cosmos: These cheerful flowers are a favorite of bees and butterflies, providing nectar and pollen.
- Zinnias: Zinnias are another popular choice for pollinators, and they come in a wide range of colors.
- Snapdragons: Snapdragons are a good choice for attracting long-tongued bumblebees.
- Roses: Many types of roses are excellent for pollinators, providing easily accessible nectar and pollen.
- Herbs: Herbs such as marjoram, mint, sage, and thyme are all attractive to pollinators and other wildlife.
Feeding Wildlife
In addition to planting the right plants, you can also provide food for wildlife in other ways.
- Supplementary foods: Mealworms and sunflower seeds are good sources of energy for busy parent birds.
- Water: Make sure birds and other animals have access to clean, fresh water.
Creating and Maintaining Habitats
Providing wildlife with a variety of habitats is essential for attracting and supporting a diverse range of species.
- Wildlife ponds: Ponds are a great resource for many aquatic and land animals.
- Long grass: Allowing grass to grow long around the edges of your pond or in other areas of your garden provides shelter for young animals.
- Rock piles: Rock piles provide shelter for amphibians and other small animals.
- Dense shrubs: Dense shrubs give birds cover when they come down to drink or bathe.
Look Out For… Dragonflies
Dragonflies are one of the highlights of a wildlife pond. To attract these graceful aerial hunters, create a pond with a variety of features, including:
- Floating plants: Floating plants provide shelter for dragonfly larvae.
- Emergent vegetation: Emergent vegetation gives dragonfly nymphs something to climb up before shedding their skins.
- Stones and plants: Stones and plants around the edge of the pond provide places for adult dragonflies to bask.
Growing Greener
When planning your garden, consider the environmental impact of your choices.
- Permeable surfaces: Permeable surfaces, such as gravel or grass sown through a reinforcement grid system, allow water to drain through, reducing the risk of flooding and creating a more sustainable landscape.
- Planting through gravel or permeable paving: You can plant through gravel or in spaces between permeable paving with low-growing plants such as thyme and chamomile.
- Hedges and climbers: Adding hedges and planting climbers up fences adds texture and color to your garden, while also providing valuable habitats for wildlife.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can create a garden that is a haven for wildlife. From providing food and shelter to creating a variety of habitats, there are many ways to attract and support wildlife in your own backyard.
