Biodiversity gardening is gardening with the intention of increasing native biodiversity. Basically, it means creating an environment conducive to attracting a vast array of wildlife important for our planet’s health. Think pollinators. Why? Because their numbers are dwindling at a rapid pace and without them, we die.
Pretty straightforward, but what can we do about it? We aren’t biologists or scientists. No. But we are gardeners and I’ve learned that every backyard can become its own biodiverse habitat. By taking a few simple steps, you can help save the planet.
How to Create a Biodiverse Habitat
Start with flowers. Bees and butterflies love them and they add beauty to any garden. Pollinator gardens of all kinds are super easy and oh-so-effective. One way is to allow your herbs and vegetable plants to “bolt” and don’t pull them out of the ground until you are ready to replace them with a new crop.
While they don’t look beautiful, don’t fret over a few weeds. Or a ton (like the ones I have shown above). I was going to ask my husband to till this end of my garden until I realized those weeds are a food source for bees and the like. Who knew?
Add a water element to your landscape. It’s an attractive element that attracts birds and other wildlife.
Don’t forget that lizards and snakes are important members of nature’s ecosystem. While you might not want snakes slithering around your feet, do allow for some groundcover and hidden spaces for them to dwell. If possible, allow some dead trees to remain in place, too. They provide an important home for microbes, fungi and other decomposers in nature that improve our soil content and structure. Worms, too!
So next time you stroll around your home and garden and have the urge to “clean out” the weeds and debris, think twice. You might be doing more harm than good.
Leave a Reply