Gardens don’t just have flowers and vegetables…
There is nothing better than working “out in the garden”. It feels good to get dirty, and produce something so beautiful with your own hands.
Some people like to do carpentry, paint, draw, or even metal work to create beauty. It does the mind, body and soul a lot of good to be able to express yourself through a piece of beauty.
Gardens are no exception. Whether it is flowers or vegetables, beautiful things come from them.
And you’re not alone…
These living things contribute to your garden and nature as well. However, some can be nuisances, such as rabbits, deer and moles, which tend to destroy your garden.
While you are out in the garden, have you ever thought of all the other living things that are within it?
Related: How to create a luscious lawn.
Don’t fret, as remember they are an important part of our ecosystem, much like your garden. Don’t harm them, tempt them with food elsewhere, and put up barriers to your garden. There are also ways to use these animals to your advantage.
Rabbits and Worms
Rabbits, if they are your domesticated ones, can be quite useful. Underneath their wire cages, let their “droppings” fall into “worm compost” beds.
These beds have worms, cardboard, recycled paper and the droppings to feast on. The worms turn all of this into worm castings, which is great fertilizer to use on your gardens.
Chickens are also great, if you let them loose after the garden is done. They scratch and dig, looking for grub, and do their duties. Their manure is also great for your next years garden.
Crawling Critters
Some people can’t stand creepy crawlies, or buzzing critters, but you can take advantage of them in your gardens, and if you don’t have some, you need to encourage their presence.
Worms, as previously mentioned, are great for the soil. Bees are wonderful for pollination. Sure they sting, just don’t get in their way. Make sure to include flowers that bees and butterflies love. Not only do they pollinate, they give you something beautiful to admire.
Spiders
Next, we come to the most dreaded insect, for some. The spider, with its eight legs, hundreds of eyes, and of course, those fangs.
You can hear the biggest of men, and women, scream when they come across them. Spiders can be quite useful as well, but some you must avoid at all costs, like the black widow.
However there is one in particular that although rather large and scary looking, is quite harmless. In fact some would call it beautiful, with its bright yellow and black back, and red markings on their legs.
The garden spider, although it makes huge webs, usually does not bother with humans, unless you are aggressive with them, then they bite. They make webs about 2 1/2 feet around to catch their prey.
This is beneficial to you, as they eat pesky insects like flies, wasps, beetles and moths. And possibly even the dreaded horned tomato eating caterpillar.
There is a food chain system in the garden. Some animals are more unfortunate than others. By providing a garden, you will have earthworms.
These earthworms eat dead leaves, and make the soil richer for the flowers and plants that grow there. The earthworm is the food of many birds, therefore you are enriching the environment with your garden.
The earthworm enriches the soil, which makes your garden grow better, providing fresh vegetables for you to eat. It is a wonderful circle or cycle of life.
Do yourself a favor. Get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air. Do some gardening, and enjoy what nature has to offer.
Not only are you enriching your lives, you can teach the younger generation, the importance of gardening as well. Remember to take care of the wildlife, as they in turn take care of you.