Dr. Grow: Do feed the animals

In natural settings, wildlife depends upon plants to provide both food and shelter. As I indicated in my last column, you can increase the variety and numbers of wildlife that frequent your landscape by selecting plants and plant groupings that attract wildlife. If you don't have plants in your landscape, I can assure you that your backyard will almost be devoid of wildlife.

If you are not interested in making any additions to your existing landscape, there are some products that you can purchase at your local garden center that will help attract wildlife to your domain. Feeders, houses and baths, when placed in the right location, can be the magnets needed to attract those furry, feathery and sometimes crawly or slithery friends.

When thinking of buying something to attract wildlife, most people think of birdfeeders. In order to make sense out of all the birdfeeders on the market, I place them into three main groups. First, there are the large seed feeders. These feeders have large openings so that sunflower seed, both black oil and stripe, or mixtures of corn, milo and sunflower can easily flow out. They come in all shapes, forms and sizes that are made of wood, metal, glass and plastic. These feeders attract different species of birds based upon what kind of feed is placed in them.

The second group is thistle feeders. These feeders have small openings that control the flow of small seed such as thistle or finch mix, and can be made of wood, metal, plastic or netting that is formed into a bag. Thistle feeders attract finches and chickadees.

The third group is specialty feeders. Each one is designed differently depending upon the type of feed used in them and the species of bird they attract. For example, there are hummingbird feeders, blue bird feeders, oriole feeders and suet feeders. Each one holds a different kind of feed and attracts a particular species of bird.

When you think of wildlife feeders, you are not limited to just birdfeeders. There are several squirrel feeders on the market, as well as salt blocks for mammals and lollipops for deer. If you want to increase places for wildlife shelter in your landscape, there is a wide selection of houses on the market. Several different styles of bluebird, wren, purple martin and wood duck houses can be found at a garden center that carries birding supplies. Birds are not the only wildlife that have houses made for them. I have seen squirrel, toad, butterfly and ladybug houses. There will probably be an even larger variety of houses on the market in the future.

In addition to houses and feeders, available water can attract wildlife. I have often watched birds bypass a pond and frequent a small water puddle on a road or in an open field. They frolic, drink and bathe to their hearts' content in these one-inch deep puddles. You can provide water in your landscape by placing a birdbath in your back yard. Most of these baths are mounted on a pedestal. Keep the water depth in the bath less than two inches. There are also some birdbaths on the market that can be placed on the ground in the landscape. These shallow bowls work very well if they are placed in open areas. Birds are keenly aware of predators, so they tend to shy away from baths located next to large vegetation.

Other wildlife is attracted to these baths on the ground. I often watch squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks drink from baths on the ground. Sometimes they even take a much-needed dunk to cool off or wash off the dust.

Remember, wildlife needs water in the winter also. Invest in a birdbath warmer and continue to watch the poolside antics all winter long.

There are several other things that you can do to attract wildlife to your yard. Develop a landscape that includes plants with a wide range of textures, sizes, shapes and fruits. You can also purchase different feeders, houses and baths that will all increase the chance of drawing wildlife to your landscape. Just be prepared to enjoy their antics as well as sometimes sharing part of landscape with them.