Creating a Native Sanctuary in Your Garden
While the idea of a nice, large plot of land with a thriving veggie garden sounds beautiful, it is simply not a reality for many of us. But regardless of where we live, and how many veggies of our own we grow, there are numerous ways we can create a sanctuary for native flora and fauna in our homes.
With half of Australia’s threatened wildlife living on the urban fringe, creating a garden that is a sanctuary for animals and plants is an amazing way to ensure that our natives flourish. As these urban environments continue to grow, the native habitats of our wildlife continue to be reduced. The best news is that every single one of us can help. Regardless of whether you’re living on a rural property or in an urban concrete jungle, you can adjust your choices to play a role in assisting the preservation of our native habitats. Yep, even a small yard or balcony can be designed to attract native species! A carefully planned space can provide food and shelter for all kinds of animal species, as well as attracting bees, which play a pivotal role in our ecosystem.
So – where do you start?
Get Planning
If you have limited space, planning your garden is highly important. It’s helpful to remember that you have both the horizontal space of the yard and the vertical space of the walls to work with. Think about planting a variety of trees and shrubs – it’s good to include a mix that produce nectar, nuts, berries and seeds. Drawing out a plan can be a fun way to bring your creative side into the project – plus it means you won’t waste money on plants that won’t attract the wildlife you desire.
Plant These Natives
Here are some Australian species you can plant to help your native sanctuary flourish:
Banksia: Banksia is a winner for everyone – there are more than 150 species and they do a great job of attracting animals. This is because the flowers produce lots of nectar which entice birds, native bees and small mammals, as well as seeds for other types of birds to eat.
Bottlebrush: Bottlebrush are perfect for those of us who don’t have the greatest green thumb – they’re tough and don’t need much maintenance. They also provide food and the perfect home for a range of wildlife.
Wattle: Growing wattle will help provide shelter, food and habitats for Australian birds, and because they’re a great source of pollen, they do a great job at attracting native bees.
Lavender: Lavender is fabulously easy to grow. Because of the high-quality pollen it produces, bees and butterflies love it too.The scent can also prevent pests and insects from making a home in your yard. Lavender is a great choice for apartment balconies!
Kangaroo Paw: Another popular choice for apartment living, Kangaroo Paws are a popular pot plant. They perform well in the sun and are a great native addition to any yard.
Water it Well
Having an ample supply of water will be fundamental to creating a native sanctuary in your garden. Your new friends need it for drinking, washing and sometimes even reproducing. Water can come from natural sources (like a bubbling stream on your property – yeah right), but city dwellers shouldn’t lose hope! Fountains or small ponds can do the job, and will also create an amazing visual in your yard. Frogs and little reptiles love ponds or baths that feel natural, and they’ll also help minimise the mosquito population during warmer months.
Supplement with Feeders
Sometimes our natives need a little helping hand. Supplementing your garden with feeders can be a good idea, especially during times of the year when natural supplies are harder to come by. However, it’s important that it never becomes more than that. The most natural and beneficial way is to provide natural food and shelter via plants for as much of the year as you can.
Keep it Natural
It is incredibly vital to keep your garden as natural as possible. You will improve the environment and your own little sanctuary when you remove the use of chemical pesticides. This also protects our waterways and ecosystems from becoming polluted. It’s a great idea to compost your food scraps, and in turn use the compost as fertiliser for your garden.