Hello! Angely here! ๐คThis Tuesday we're discussing how to build a backyard buffet for native birds and each native Ohio plant lists what specific birds they attract!
Native Plants Featured:
Black Eyed Susan (๐๐ถ๐ฅ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฌ๐ช๐ข ๐ฉ๐ช๐ณ๐ต๐ข)
Cup Plant (๐๐ช๐ญ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ง๐ฐ๐ญ๐ช๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ฎ)
American Plum (๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ด ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ฏ๐ข)
Wild Strawberry (๐๐ณ๐ข๐จ๐ข๐ณ๐ช๐ข ๐ท๐ช๐ณ๐จ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ข๐ฏ๐ข)
Prairie Blazing Star (๐๐ช๐ข๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ด ๐ฑ๐บ๐ค๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ค๐ฉ๐บ๐ข)
Smooth Sumac (๐๐ฉ๐ถ๐ด ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ฃ๐ณ๐ข)
Wild Bergamot (๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ถ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ด๐ข)
Red Mulberry Tree (๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ถ๐ด ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ข)
Smooth Blue Aster (๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐บ๐ฐ๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ค๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ)
And Don't Forget Other Needed Elements to Support Your Wildlife
Provide Water Sources
Wildlife needs water for drinking and bathing. You can include:
Birdbaths: Keep them clean and filled.
Small Ponds: Add a variety of aquatic plants and maybe a small pump for circulating water.
Water Features: Bubbling fountains or drip systems.
Create Shelter
Shelter is crucial for wildlife. Options include:
Brush Piles: Pile up sticks and branches to provide cover for small animals.
Rock Piles: Great for reptiles and amphibians.
Nest Boxes: For birds like bluebirds, chickadees, and owls.
Native Shrubs and Ground Cover: Dense plantings offer shelter and nesting sites.
Minimize Broad Spectrum Chemicals and Follow All Application Directions
Avoid using pesticides and herbicides that can harm unintended targets in your backyard wildlife. Use natural pest control methods like companion planting and introducing beneficial insects. And when using ANY chemicals, follow all instructions to minimize issues of concern, e.g. drift, damage, water & soil contamination, resistance, etc.
Leave Some Areas Natural
Let parts of your yard grow wild to provide a natural habitat. Avoid manicuring every part of your lawn, allowing for more biodiversity.
Create a Diversity of Habitats
Incorporate different elements to attract a variety of wildlife:
Meadow Areas: Plant a mix of wildflowers and grasses.
Woodland Edges: Blend trees and shrubs to create transition zones.
Wetlands: Even small, damp areas can attract frogs and insects.
Maintain a Healthy Ecosystem
Encourage a balanced ecosystem by:
Composting: Recycle organic matter to enrich the soil.
Plant Layering: Mimic natural forests with layers of vegetation.
Promote Pollinators: Create habitats specifically for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Seasonal Considerations
Ensure there is something available year-round:
Spring: Early blooming flowers and fresh foliage.
Summer: Abundant flowers and fruits.
Fall: Late-season blooms and seed heads.
Winter: Evergreens, berries, and shelter.
Educational and Community Involvement
Engage with your local community:
Wildlife Workshops: Learn more about native species and their needs.
Wildlife Garden Tours: Visit other local wildlife-friendly gardens.
Volunteering: Participate in local conservation projects.
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