HABITAT DESIGN
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Creating places for nature to thrive
Habitat design considers the garden as an extension of the greater landscape with an emphasize on building the biodiversity of the region in which your live. Its a way to bring balance back into the landscape region you're living in. We see the plants, insects and birds as being in mutualistic relationships that sustain the greater ecosystem.
The primary features of habitat are food, water, and shelter. Rather than design a garden with plants selected only for their beauty, this is the time to expand that view and see them for the greater value they provide. Flowering plants can be a host plant, while also providing food in the way of nectar, pollen and end-of-season seeds. Vines, shrubs and trees have value as a place to shelter and nest, while also contributing food with their fruit, berries, foliage and twigs.
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Adding features to the garden are supplementary ways to provide habitat. Bird baths, shallow garden dishes with perching stones and butterfly mud-puddling dishes are beneficial sources of water. The installation of structural elements can include the placement of rock piles, fallen logs, brush piles, beetle berms, bird houses, bug hotels and bat boxes.
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Habitat design is an important aspect of conservation. The services we're offering are available year round but the greatest opportunity for creating valuable habitat for nature is in spring and fall, when the greatest amount of change is taking place. We're available at your convenience to view your property and find the best way to help nature thrive!
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There are many benefits to toads on your property.
They are a strict carnivore which means they are constantly on the lookout for food.
Having a toad in the garden means you have bugs. If you have bugs, your garden is an ecosystem adding to the web of life.
They truly are nature's pest-control.
A toads diet includes flies, crickets, slugs, ants, beetles, spiders and other invertebrates.
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While most toads live an average of 5-7 years they can also live up to 12 years of age. If you have one in your garden he could be a friend in your garden for a long time.
HABITAT DESIGNS TO CONSIDER
Trees and Brush
Dead trees and branches provide year round value and beneficial overwintering sites for wildlife that nest in tree cavities. Brush piles are a great way to utilize waste material on your property while also providing shelter for insects, birds, and wildlife. The best location for a brush pile is in the sun, near tree lines and away from buildings.
Ground Nests
Some habitat simply involves leaving the ground bare, or allowing organic material like leaves and hollow pithy stems to accumulate in the garden. Bees and toads like the bare, open ground; toads prefer sheltering in loose piles of rocks and bees love the sun. Garden beetles love berms planted with native grasses.
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Installing Habitat
All properties aren't necessarily suited to habitat design in the landscape so the next best option is having some simple features installed. Consider a bird house, bat box, or bug and bee hotels. Some natural elements like landscaping rocks or a well placed log can also serve well for habitat design.