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Tips on Designing a Habitat |
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- Where feasible, try to re-create components found in natural habitats. For instance, a woodland includes small herbaceous plants, small shrubs, large shrubs, small trees and large trees as well as decaying logs, dead brush and leaf litter. Incorporate as many of these features as possible into a woodland habitat project.
- Arrange your native plants in aggregate groups or groves rather than individual plants surrounded by mowed lawn. Aggregate plantings resemble the natural plant communities that wildlife use as habitat. By not mowing between plants, other plants will colonize your planting, adding to the habitat diversity. Remove any invasive exotic plants.
- Planting layout: Plants occur in natural plant communities in many different arrangements. The most common arrangement occurs when similar species of plants are loosely grouped together (see the following diagram). These groups overlap and are interspersed with other species.
- Plant Spacing: Do not plant on a grid pattern with plants evenly spaced. Attempt to simulate the random spacing that occurs in natural plant communities. The following spacing guidelines are used to determine the number of plants needed for a specific area: Herbaceous plants l' to 2' apart. Shrubs and small trees 5' to 8' apart. Large trees 10' to 15' apart.
- Select a variety of plants that fruit or bloom during different times of the year to provide food for wildlife year round.
- Larger areas usually provide habitat for more species than smaller areas.
- A diversity of plants will attract more wildlife.
- Provide water if possible. Bird baths or shallow dishes work well. A small temporary puddle or pool may provide a place for frogs and salamanders to lay eggs.
- Incorporate feeders and nesting boxes to complement plantings.
- Avoid using toxic pesticides.
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