Gardening for wildlife

• Plant food — leafy greens for bugs, berries and nectar plants for mature birds and butterflies. Leave seed heads on in the fall.
• A native garden does not mean a weedy garden. The basic principles of garden design and maintenance still apply. Ask your supplier how tall and wide a plant is expected to grow, and what kind of light and moisture conditions it needs. Place tall plants in the back and shorter plants in the front of your arrangement. Thin, stake and mulch plants as needed. Plant in groups; if you can only have two asters, put them both together. Remember, you can always move plants around next spring, to improve the arrangement.
• Use a guide to native plants for the northeastern United States. For help, go to http://www.nycgovparks.org/ sub_about/parks_divisions/ nrg/documents/Native_Plant_ Gardening.pdf.
• If your grower does not stock the plants you want, ask if they can order them. Make sure growers will ship at the right time for planting.
• Provide water for wildlife to drink. Keep water in a basin moving to discourage mosquitoes. Butterflies need a puddle, not a basin. To make a butterfly puddling area, put sand and a tablespoon or two of salt in a shallow bowl, and add water until there is a thin sheen on top.
• Wildlife needs shelter. Shelter can take many forms: A rock pile, a rotten log or tree stump, twiggy shrubs for perching, ground cover for crawling under. If you want, purchase a bird nesting box or butterfly box.
• Keep poisons out. Eliminate synthetic pesticides and fertilizers from your garden; they can kill the inhabitants you are trying to attract. Once your plants adjust to the new regime, they will be healthier and stronger.

This is part of the August 21, 2008 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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