Nature in the garden

Much of what I've been doing these last couple of years is finding plants that will attract nature. Things like butterflies, birds, and of course hummingbirds ( they LOVE black and blue salvia).
But sometimes we don't like the nature our gardens attract.

Like slugs....these rainy days have been a true slug fest. I kept plucking them off a container arrangement and still can't figure out how they climbed up the rough surface of the planter.

To rid yourself of slugs, use diatomaceous earth, which is an abrasive powder that impales the tender body of slugs.

Another way to battle slugs is to place shallow dishes (I use small plastic plates) around the area they like to munch on. They love beer, and will drown themselves in it. Personally, I find this the most humane way of dealing with them.

This year, robin's made a nest in my honeysuckle vine growing on a trellis outside my patio. And again, some wrens have made a nest in one of my planters, which is difficult because I have to water around the nest!

Snakes are also part of gardening, and I try hard to overcome my fear; although copper heads have been known to be in my area. I also know that black snakes can be aggressive, and bite.
I let them alone, and hopefully they will do the same.

I also have bunny rabbits and I would be rather not know what they are munching on - they are so cute. Whenever I water, they hop out of the bush they seem to be hiding in. It seems to be a predator sound for them, the hissing of the water coming out of the hose.

Beautiful goldfinches have been flitting about; they like many flowers, from zinnias to sunflowers to the dried seed heads of cone flowers.

While I have a little less than an acre, it seems my property is teeming with wildlife - I even saw an owl perched outside on an oak tree this winter.

Much of what I've learned to keep wildlife happy has come from the advice of the National Wildlife Foundation, which encourages gardeners to create what they call backyard habitats. It isn't that difficult, and as suburban sprawl continues to encroach on their habitats, it is important to think about create wildlife friendly yards.

Check them, and their tips, out at www.backyardwildlifehabitat.info