Creating Habit for the Love of the Songbirds
Most homeowners in our rural SW Michigan area have a landscape that is mostly mowed grass. Apparently they do not believe in landscaping at all as those large swaths of grass comes right up next to the house and offers no flowers, shrubs or evergreens. BORING!
I suspect that they think this is easier to maintain than landscaping but they also do not realize how much serious air pollution is caused using gas run lawn tractors.
Visually our property is not at all traditional for our geographic area; which is mainly mowed grass bordered by woodlots. Instead of the typical country property where grass is king, we have large swaths of curving garden beds, a wild flower meadow, a large fenced in vegetable garden area and woodland with paths snaking through the 15-acre wood lot behind our home. Because of the former owners of this land who voted to save the majestic White Oak trees, our hard work and my desire for beauty and habitat, our garden looks more like a fancy park than your typical rural homestead.
Our land on the other hand is an ever-changing, free-flowing organic adventure!
To read more about how we create natural habitat for the birds and insects that feed them which includes a look at our; meadow, bird feeding bed, raised herb beds, a woodland forest and perennials gardens of native flowers and shrubs go to http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com for the full post.
I suspect that they think this is easier to maintain than landscaping but they also do not realize how much serious air pollution is caused using gas run lawn tractors.
Visually our property is not at all traditional for our geographic area; which is mainly mowed grass bordered by woodlots. Instead of the typical country property where grass is king, we have large swaths of curving garden beds, a wild flower meadow, a large fenced in vegetable garden area and woodland with paths snaking through the 15-acre wood lot behind our home. Because of the former owners of this land who voted to save the majestic White Oak trees, our hard work and my desire for beauty and habitat, our garden looks more like a fancy park than your typical rural homestead.
Our land on the other hand is an ever-changing, free-flowing organic adventure!
To read more about how we create natural habitat for the birds and insects that feed them which includes a look at our; meadow, bird feeding bed, raised herb beds, a woodland forest and perennials gardens of native flowers and shrubs go to http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com for the full post.
The Small House Under the White Oak Trees with bird feeding bed to the right.
The meadow boarder in the early spring.
Perennials beds with birdbath for water, beauty and habitat.
Trees and shrubs provide food and cover for songbirds.
Burning bush and St. John's Wort shrubs as examples of native shrubs. The native burning bush provides seeds for the birds winter food.
Ornamental grasses to the right and the meadow garden to the left, with walking path in between provides cover and seeds for the songbirds.
The woodland boarder in the rear with the pool in the foreground.
Our raised herb bed in front with meadow boarder in the rear. One of five birdbaths provide water for the birds.
More habitat for the songbirds at the woodlands edge.
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3 of 13 comments
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I just realized that the "title" was suppose to be habitat! So sorry!
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No, Lee is my middle name but I live in Kalamazoo and am very familiar with Lee's Sporting Goods store. I like what you've done with your yard. It looks very natural and is pretty. We live in Milwood and have a small yard that I have been working on since we moved here about 10 years ago. I'm still working on it!
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