Backyard living is at an all-time high in popularity with Phoenix homeowners. It seems that, in our high-tech high-stress society, the new catchphrase is to “get outside” to enjoy the simpler low-tech pleasures nature has to offer. Nothing is better than sitting in a backyard by a water garden and watching the birds and butterflies at play, while the Koi glide gracefully among the water lilies. Many different types of birds visit our garden on any given day and in the summertime the butterflies abound! They eat, play, nest and bathe… and in the process we (and neighbors that walk by our front yard stream, get to enjoy the gifts of nature.
Like ALL living things, these beneficial creatures need certain basic things to live and prosper: food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. If you provide these things, you will see your new friends moving in almost overnight. Want to increase the number of birds and butterflies in your landscape? Here are some suggestions:
GO NATIVE
Plant native trees, shrubs and flowers. Using the right plants will provide places for shelter, nesting, and food and will add beauty to your landscape. Going native will also lower your maintenance and water bills. Many of the plants that shelter and feed birds and butterflies are native plants. Most of these natives are long-lived, drought-hardy, and insect and disease-resistant. Bonus!
WATER IS MANDATORY
Put in a living water feature: waterfall, stream, pond, or water garden. We ALL must have water to live. Your water feature can be as simple as a bird bath or as large as a custom re-circulating Koi pond. The main thing to remember is that birds like shallow water for bathing and drinking (2″ to 4″) butterflies like a “seep.” Take these things into consideration when designing your water feature or speaking with your contractor, so that they understand your expectations.
FOOD
Putting up a few feeders will almost immediately draw in some new visitors. Platform feeders are great for black oil sunflower seeds, fruit, bread, nuts and more. Tube feeders and socks are great for black thistle (a Finch favorite). A large hopper-type feeder is great for general feeding and can be filled every few days with an inexpensive song bird mix. Suet feeders are great and you can hang or mount them almost anywhere. AND don’t forget the Hummingbirds! There are even butterfly feeders that you can put nectar and fresh fruit in to attract and feed butterflies. Spread your feeders out around your outdoor living/viewing area. It will give you multiple viewing opportunities and it will give the birds a bit of room to move around.
SHELTER
Feeders are great, but without shelter, your new friends won’t stay. Put up some bird and butterfly houses to entice them to hang around. Some birds require housing to get their attention! Some birds are particular about the placement, color, and construction of these houses, so do some research on the birds in the area and what they like. If you get it right, you will be blessed with some AWESOME birds that will eat their weight in insects and will thrill you daily with their beauty and grace. A butterfly house makes for a great conversation piece and is a really unique addition to your garden.
PEST MANAGEMENT
Think organic! Pesticides and other garden chemicals are VERY harmful to birds and beneficial Insects! It’s not easy being green, BUT it’s not that hard, and totally worth it. Use organic alternatives like neem oil, insecticidal soap, dormant oil and non-chemical fertilizers. With the right landscape and water element, you will draw in beneficials that will give you integrated pest management. You will notice a difference in the quality of your garden AND in the quality of your life!
Enjoying the abundance of nature is awesome and not all that difficult! In fact, if you do some of these things, you will see an immediate increase in the number of birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects in your landscape. These beneficial creatures will make your flowers more beautiful, your vegetables more productive, and your Life more abundant!
Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Arizona (AZ) & Surrounding Areas
To Learn More About Urban Wildlife Habitats: https://pondgnome.com/wildlife-habitats-phoenix-az/
