Backyard wildlife habitats are just one of many examples of Permaculture. I wrote an article about them for an on-line magazine called "The Big Blend". www.BigBlendMagazine.com. It should be on the site about Monday of next week.

Here's a few paragraphs of the article:

So what can you do to bring nature back into balance and encourage the wildlife to become part of your outdoor environment? It’s easy – go natural! By adding native plants (bushes and trees, too) to an existing landscape and providing the four essential elements necessary to create a habitat you will encourage the birds, bees, butterflies, insects and other creatures to return to your yard.

How to create a habitat
Habitat is defined by four essential elements: food, water, shelter (cover), and space. The foundation of the habitat is the vegetation type that exists on the site. Food sources may include plant material (including roots, pollen, and nectar), insects, or other animals. If preferred food sources are not available but other habitat elements are optimal, then some species will look for new sources of food such as pet food, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, or landscape plants. So be sure to plant native species to provide food and keep them away from your prized plants and gardens. Another way to create a symbiotic environment is to provide a plant for the animals and one for you! Then there will be enough for everyone.

More at www.BigBlendMagazine.com


I will be interviewed on internet radio about backyard habitats on Tuesday, March 3rd about 3:30 in the afternoon AZ time. The link to use for this is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Garden-Gossip/2009/03/03/Eminent-Domain-Bird-Butterfly-Gardens-More

If you are near a computer I hope you can tune in and hear the show!

Doreen aka The Garden Goddess
www.down2earthgardens.com

Spring is Bursting Out All Over

Well the warm weather sure has the plants confused. My apple trees started to bud 10 days after they were planted! The plants are starting to flower and growing like weeds - well, the weeds are growing, too.

This yard and the garden have only been in place a few months yet they are really beginning to take shape. The foot paths are in and covered with wood chips as mulch, the fruit trees seem happy and the rain water harvesting pieces are almost done.

I recently installed a new brick patio to help with the water harvesting into my rain garden and future home for my velvet mesquite tree. Now when I sit on the patio, I will actually be part of the gradens VS. sitting on the porch looking at the gardens.

The work is not completely done, yet I can see the end of the major components and then it will be time to plant a new garden and start all over again!

Look back to my earlier posts and you can see the journey and how much has been done - It hasn't been easy - but it sure is worth it!

Happy Digging, Doreen

AKA the Garden Goddess

www.down2earthgardens.com