Choosing The Best Herbs To Grow For Wildlife
If you have an interest in herb gardening, then you know that it is an excellent way to provide your own foods and medicines. It is a way to improve the flavor of the food you cook and is a natural and safe alternative to using synthetic pesticides. Many people today are beginning to plant gardens themselves as a means to save money and become more self-sufficient. There is no denying that having a garden in your yard provides you with an opportunity to spend time outdoors, reading and cuddling with your family. The best herbs to grow for wildlife are ones that will attract these critters to your garden.
Basil has been proven to be very effective at attracting wildlife, particularly deer. However, you should only plant it in areas where deer are known to frequent. You can also use chives for the same purpose but make sure you have tarragon, sage and oregano to back up these.
Lemon balm is another one of the herbs you can use to attract wildlife into your herb garden. This perennial herb is great because it is so easy to grow. Just stick it out in the sun and water it daily until the flowers come out. It is a popular choice for herb gardens used to attract hummingbirds. The best thing about growing herbs for wildlife is that it can be planted anywhere you want without needing to worry about pesky insects.
Fennel is also one of the best herbs to grow for wildlife. This herb attracts beneficial butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. It is easy to grow and is a favorite with gardeners who are growing for other types of wildlife. Fennel can even be grown indoors if you don’t have a lot of sunlight or adequate watering.
Oregano can also be used for attracting birds and butterflies. It is best to keep an eye on the birds in your area so you will know what kind of insects or pests are attracted to your herb garden. Then you will be able to use those methods to get them to your herb plants. When it comes to herb gardening for the outdoors, oregano may not be the best choice because of bugs, but it does provide some excellent flavor. You just need to know how to use it correctly.
Rosemary is one of the best herbs to grow for wildlife. It attracts hummingbirds to your garden and the best way to use it is as an entree in salads or as an added spice in cooking. Rosemary is a perennial, which means it will come back year after year. It doesn’t really matter what size you get, just make sure you plant it in the soil that will allow it to grow.
Sage, if grown as a salad herb, will attract not only beautiful butterflies but will also attract certain birds, squirrels and other wildlife. This herb does great in herb gardening, as it will do very well with other types of plants. Most people grow sage for this reason. Some other ways to use sage is to use it as a spice in cooking or as a garnish on dishes.
There are plenty more herbs that you can use for growing for wildlife. The best thing you can do is plant those that are recommended for small gardens. If you have an excess of space, then you can expand to grow other herbs or even grow a garden of your own. Herbs are an excellent choice for attracting critters and other wildlife to your garden and your yard. So choose the herbs that will do the best and you will have the best herb gardening for wildlife.