Leisure time in a fast paced world continues to be a priority for the public, according to studies. Attracting wildlife to backyards provides relaxation to those who enjoy the outdoors.

Anyone can build a wildlife garden to lure birds, butterflies, squirrels, chipmunks, and others, according to Heather Norris, a naturalist with the Metroparks of the Toledo Area.

“There are simple, inexpensive things you can do to make your yard more attractive to wildlife,” she said.

Water should be provided in a wide and shallow dish. A clay pot saucer will do, said Norris. “The sound of running water, like a fountain, attracts them even more.”

Water should be changed every day or two, she said.

To attract butterflies, place a little gravel or a big rock or two in the saucer where they can land because they need to keep their feet dry when they drink.

For food, a variety of plants is recommended.

Plants with blooms, for their nectar, and purple coneflowers, for their seeds, are popular.

“You can also choose shrubs or trees that have berries. A service berry, which flowers in the spring, like a crab apple, produces small berries. Those are wonderful food for the birds,” she said.

Shelter for some is provided by hollow trees and branches, or a large nest of leaves on branches.

Plants of different heights that are dense, or lacy and open, offer shelter from the rain and heat for butterflies, she said.

Never use pesticides, poisons and chemicals on wildlife gardens, she added. “If you’re trying to attract butterflies, and you’re using pesticides, you’re attracting them to kill them.”

Rain Gardens

To reduce storm water run-off and erosion, and prevent excessive flooding, more people are turning to planting rain gardens, which soak up rainwater.

The Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative helps homeowners, developers, nurseries and landscapers, business owners, and governmental agencies build rain gardens by providing demonstration gardens, technical training and public information and involvement.

Typically, deep rooted plants are needed in a rain garden.

"Research has shown that turf grass roots tend to go down four to six inches at the most,” said Stone, of the Ohio State University Extension Office, which is part of a collaborative effort of the Rain Garden Initiative. “But some of the native grasses, and wildflowers, go down a lot deeper. That helps when we have a lot of rain. They can absorb that moisture. There tends to be less run-off. And that's the concept with the rain gardens.”

Recommended plants include daylilies, dogwoods, blueberries, butterfly milkweeds, iris, and many others.

A rain garden is also a valuable habitat for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.

For more information, contact the OSU Extension Horticulture Hotline at 419-578-6783, or American Rivers-Healthy Waters Campaign at 419-936-3759.

Phosphorous-free

Phosphorous, an ingredient in plant and lawn fertilizer, has been shown to cause algae blooms and other aquatic growth in rivers and lakes, affecting food quality and habitats for fish and other organisms. Phosphorous ends up in the waterways through storm water runoff.

Some cities have passed laws limiting the use of phosphorus in fertilizer in efforts to protect water quality.

Maumee Bay has experienced a very high growth rate of algae in the last couple of years, according to Sandy Bihn, Western Lake Erie Waterkeeper and a member of the Sierra Club.

Bihn proposed an ordinance banning phosphorous in fertilizer last year, when she was on city council.

“If there’s a way to reduce the algae, a ban could be very helpful to our watershed,” she said. “We live in the warmest, shallowest area of the Great Lakes. And we do have an algae problem right now.”

Bihn could not find support on council for the measure, mostly due to opposition from landscapers, who feared a ban on phosphorous would affect their businesses.

Bihn urges the public to have their soil tested to determine if they need to fertilize their lawns. Several nurseries and gardening departments carry phosphorous-free fertilizer.

Amy Stone, an educator with the Ohio State University Extension Office, agrees.

“At least once, have a lab test your soil so you know your fertilization and nutrient levels in your lawn and garden,” said Stone. One of the most reliable labs is at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. “The results come back very easy to understand,” said Stone. A complete soil sample costs between $9-$15. For more information, contact the University of Massachusetts at Soil and Plan Tissue Testing Lab, West Experiment Station, 682 North Pleasant Street, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, or call (413) 545-2311 or visit its website at http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/ for an online brochure and order form.

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