G’day, give Eve’s Gardening tips a read to help attract native birds, frogs and insects!
Gardening helps us in many ways, from the food we produce, to the structure and colour of the plants we see, the beauty of having an attractive garden, to all the gorgeous native animals that come from gardening.
FROGS
Frogs are vital for a healthy ecosystem, from keeping the insect and bug levels at balance an as serving as an exellent meal for birds, snakes and fish. To keep a balanced eco system in your garden you must have frogs.
How to attract frogs:
To attract frogs you need to have a water source, a small billabong or dam will give them a place to lay their eggs, swim and breed. The water has to have some sort of filter or pump to keep the water flowing to it doesnt become a breeding site for mozzys, and to keep the tadpoles from boiling on a hot day. Frogs need some water plants to protect them also for breeding and hiding. So consider planting a few water ribbons, tall spikerush, and tussock grass.
Frogs eat insects and bugs so by placing a few solar lights near the pond is a great idea to attract moths for the frogs to feed on.
Try and make the billabong have shallow sloping edges for easy access and grasses around the edges. Wait for the grasses to grow to a medium size before finalizing the pond so that when frogs do come they have some proper protection.
Avoid pesticides and chemicals as they can easily kill frogs. Make sure the frogs have easy access to sun and shade.
BIRDS
Birds eat frogs, so by having a frog pond this will make the carnivorous birds more attracted to your garden. Birds are crutial for a balanced ecosystem because they act as natural pollinators, seed dispersers, and pest controllers. Birds bring colour and movement to a garden.
How to attract birds:
Start by planting native flowering plants that the birds can take shelter in and eat from. Every ecosystem needs a mature native tree to provide proper shelter and shade. This can attract sugar gliders and larger birds. Banksias, Bottle brush, tea tree, Kangaroo paw, Eucalyptus and Grevillias to attract Rainbow Lorrikeets, Galahs and many more parrots and birds. Add a few ground covers for bugs and insects to Magpies and Kookaburras can feed too.
A bird bath adds a water source for birds to drink and bathe at. This helps keep parasites away and keeps them cool on hot summer days.
Provide safety areas around your garden such as Pricky Currant Bush or some Acacia. If your garden lacks old trees with hollows and places to build a nest you can install bird boxes.
BEES N BUTTERFLYS
Native bees and Butterfly’s are critical to keep the pollination going in a native garden and good food for birds. They help with pollinating plants and add a nice buzz.
How to attract Native bees and Butterflys:
Most Native bees are solo so you could drill a few holes in bamboo and sticks and add some twigs to make a bug hotel. To provide them shelter and protection.
Butterfly’s and Bees need pollen to survive so make sure the native plants in your garden rotate year long so there are allways flowers blooming in your garden. Try to make the flowers be purple, white and blue as these attract bees and butterfly’s.
