Everyone is responsible for the environment. Individuals can help by making one’s home friendly to wildlife and animals either big or small.

Plants draw different kinds of wildlife, different species of birds, butterflies and chipmunks to name a few. You must choose what kind of animals you want to attract to your home.

The first thing that the person must realize is that there are four basic things that are needed for wildlife to exist. Trees provide saps or seeds as a source of food for birds. For other creatures that frequent the area, you can accommodate them by having feeders installed in the garden or yard. To know the right type of food to place in the feeder, you should research what the animals eat.

All creatures need water to survive. A pond or fountain in the garden can provide sustenance for those who frequent your garden. Just be sure that the water is clean and safe at all times for the animals to drink.

Animals need a good place to serve as a shelter, nesting and breeding ground. You can make a bird house or purchase one. They are available in many shapes and forms which are good for birds and bats. Once this has been made or purchased, it can be installed in the backyard.

Trees planted in the garden can also serve as shelter and housing for creatures that live near your home. A good example is an evergreen tree that serves as protection against predators.

Studies have shown that the use of plants that are not natural to the area destroys plants that are native. Since the creatures that you want around all year are native to the surroundings, it is advisable to use plants that these animals are accustomed to. That way, different creatures will be able to co-exist.

By focusing on these four factors, you will be able to enjoy the diverse wildlife not just visiting but already living in your area.

After the planning and construction phase of the project has been done, you will be able to enjoy the various species of birds, squirrels and other creatures that are native to your geographical area.

Homeowners want to beautify the home. This could mean adding flowers to compliment the color of the home or putting figurines in the garden and by making the place attractive for birds.

Since there are many species of birds and some are only there during the migration period, it is best to study each species. When a person knows what kind of food the birds eat, plants can be used to attract the desired species. To learn more about the kinds of birds that visit the area, you can ask neighbors or members of the local bird watching club.

Birds need water to survive. You can add a fountain or a pond in the garden for birds to bathe and drink.

In order for birds to stay for more than a day and to protect them from bad weather and predators, you can have put a birdhouse in the garden. If you want to make it look more natural, an artificial tree can also used installed for them.

There are four seasons in a year. If you want birds to be present all year round, you should check what kind of plants can survive even during the winter.

A good example is a conifer that either in the form of shrubs or trees. These also serve as good nesting places during the summer. Some types of conifers provide buds, seeds and sap. Since not all plants work well with certain types of soil, you should also check with a gardener before choosing what plants to buy.

After you have an idea what changes need to be made in the garden, you can draw up a plan. Some things to be considered are the city’s gardening codes, the location of the sun is at different times of the day and structures in the neighbor’s yard.

Landscaping the garden for the benefit of birds is a challenging task. It will take time to finish especially if you have started out with seedlings. Take pictures to see the changes through the months.

Family members can help during the construction and maintenance phases of this project. Once you have finished you can enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your own home.

Landscaping is a very beneficial means by which anyone can conserve energy within and/or around the home… Landscaping, ‘do-it-yourself’ style, can be done the right way the first time with proper guidance and prioritization.

Plan Ahead

Many people new to ‘do-it-yourself’ make the mistake of going with their gut feeling, or randomly starting what they think needs to be done in the garden without knowing what they want to see in the end. Planning ahead makes sure that no effort is spent on unnecessary steps, money is spent only on essential items, and time is maximized in order to provide the best results.

Included in planning ahead is measuring the garden or patio dimensions, taking note of where the sun rises and sets, as well as the direction of the wind when it blows through the house. This way, plants and trees may be planted in places that would serve best the intention of conserving energy in the home.

Another is planning around existing trees and foliage. The shade provided by the existing vegetation can be used as a guide in the placement of the rest of the shrubbery in the area.

You have the option of also taking into consideration your lifestyle in designing the landscape. Families who frequently hold barbeques or simply entertain in the garden can put the barbeque and sitting areas together, or shape the garden’s design around these particular functionalities.

Plant a Plant

One of the perks of landscaping, ‘do-it-yourself’ style, is the fact that one can grow the plants and trees he/she prefers rather than others that serve that the same function. To make the garden fully functional when it comes to conserving energy, it is best to plant fast-growing dense trees that offer a huge umbrella of shade and a windbreak for the home.

Evergreens are popular options for garden foliage, and are also very useful when it comes to keeping the heat or cool inside that would normally escape through the windows or the roof. To most effectively utilize evergreens, it is important to try to mix-and-match various textures, colors, shades, shapes and sizes. Visual appeal is created by this interesting mixture of plants.

At the end of the day, landscaping is a fulfilling experience that allows anyone to design their gardens or yard to best suit their lifestyles. Good planning, creativity, and effective execution will yield optimum results.