Creating habitat at home: tips to bring the wildlife to your garden!

With the unfolding biodiversity crisis threatening over 2000 plants, animals and ecological communities across Australia with extinction, there's never been a more important time to design habitat into your garden.

These are our top tips for creating a thriving habitat garden at home:

1. Plant local native plants

   

   Native bees like species of Lasioglossum can often be found napping in indigenous flowers of the daisy family! In particular, Murnong aka Yam-daisy (Microseris sp.) and Podolepis sp. will turn your garden beds into a luxury resort - for bees!

   ...and let them go to seed!

The drying seed heads and florets of lots of native grasses are vital habitat for a range of insects through the height of summer. Wait until the Autumn rains are on their way and then chop them back in time for new season growth!

The ornamental florets of Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) provide interest and habitat throughout the Summer months.

2. Use natural materials

Local rocks are essential for sustainable landscaping - if your local rock isn't suitable (e.g. crumbly), source from nearby!

Source branches or logs from your own property or neighbours - and preferably use species that are local to your area as these will have the greatest benefit for the local flora, fauna and funga.

Create microclimates in your garden beds through the use of boulders, smaller rocks and habitat logs. These nooks are home for a range of small wildlife like the garden skink (Lampropholis guichenoti).

A dry creek bed provides a functional and affordable drainage solution as well as creating habitat for wildlife.

3. Retain 'dead' trees with habitat pruning

One of less than 100 known Gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) nesting hollows in southeastern Australia. The 2019-20 wildfires burnt swathes Gang-gang habitat in East Gippsland, NSW and ACT, forcing the migration of some populations toward Melbourne where they seem to be successfully establishing themselves - particularly in the Eltham area.

Many defoliated trees (what many think of as dead!) are actually vital habitat 'perch' trees for a range of bird species. These 'stags' if left in the landscape can become homes to hollow-loving critters, and offer larger animals like the Powerful Owl a vantage point to assess their surrounds. I myself have witnessed a Powerful Owl feed it's fledgling on an old stag in Eltham North.

Hollows are crucial for an array of our native wildlife and it can take a century for a tree to develop a hollow suitable for habitation. These complex hollow networks are safe places to rest for some of our most cherished native species: Ringtail possums, Gang-gang cockatoos and even microbats.

Many introduced species do not develop hollows that are suitable for our native species, so if you are playing the long game (you always are when planting trees!) then source local, native species!

4. Water

   

   Holding water in the landscape is a sure way to improve the habitat for wildlife. Whether it's a birdbath, a standalone pond in a deep pot, a reticulating water feature or full-blown habitat wetland - there are a range of ways to incorporate water into your garden no matter its size!

If installing a pond, it's important to position it so it gets good sunlight in both the morning and afternoon - but is sufficiently sheltered from the worst of the direct Summer sun. Placing rocks within the pond creates microhabitats and provides thermal mass - helping to maintain more stable temperatures in the water and providing a stable platform for critters to enter and exit from. Native aquatic plants can be planted in aquatic baskets to help contain their spread, while providing structure, habitat and oxygenation of the water. Local indigenous plant nurseries usually have a range of aquatic plants local to your area and can provide great advice on which species to use depending on your project!

Some great species we've tried and tested:

1. Nardoo (Marsilea drummondii and Marsilea mutica)

2. Water ribbons (Cycnogeton procerum)

3. Running marsh flower (Ornduffia reniformis)

4. Upright water-milfoil (Myriophyllum crispatum)

How to plant aquatics: Step-by-step guide

An aquatic planting basket that allows water to fully infiltrate the root zone.

Fill your basket 1/3 full of low-nutrient soil, wet and compact.

Position the roots onto the compressed soil layer, covering the aquatic fertiliser tablet (optional)

Top roots with a small amount of soil and then fill basket with pebbles or stones.

Give a good water before placing in your pond to remove any excess debris.

Position plant to depth appropriate for that species (usually on the label!).

If you implement some or all of these principles in your garden, it will only be a matter of time before you see the results. As they say: build it and they will come!

If you'd like us to help you plan and design a habitat suitable for your family and the local wildlife, get in touch to start the process!

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