4 simple ways to get wildlife to visit your garden

Many outdoor creatures are both beautiful accents to the landscape and helpful members of your garden ecosystem. Here are 4 easy methods that will attract more wildlife to pollinate your plants, eat harmful bugs, and more.

• The more diverse the plants in your garden, the more wildlife you're likely to attract.
• Don't be too tidy. Humans appreciate neat gardens, but animals thrive in messier places.
• Many birds enjoy flowers that have gone to seed, so consider leaving faded flowers in your garden for a little longer than usual.
• Brush piles are an ideal place for butterflies and other creatures to wait out the winter season.

Most animals need a protected area to thrive. Shade-providing trees offer cover for animals while fruit-bearing trees and shrubs provide food. And you don't need to go big: even a vine-covered wall can act as a nesting site for tiny birds.

Chemicals throw off nature's balance and can kill helpful creatures. On the other hand, many organic practices can help attract useful wildlife. For example, adding compost or other organic matter to your soil can attract earthworms. Their constant burrowing tills and aerates the soil and contributes to the health of vegetable and flower beds. They also ingest organic waste and attract robins and other birds.

Most native plants help feed or host local wildlife. They provide food for adult birds and good nectar for local butterflies, as well as shelter for birds and other creatures. Show your local pride by using more native plants in your garden.

Nature is full of beautiful, helpful, and interesting creatures. Adopt these practices and your garden will quickly be teeming with lots of new friends.