In Your Own Backyard

Many of the conservation principles recommended by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana can be applied in your own back yard. You too can promote preservation of wildlife habitat, control soil erosion, reduce waterway sediment, conserve water and improve water quality. Whether you have a city lot, a suburban yard or a small rural acreage you can apply basic conservation principles that not only enhance the attractiveness of the landscape but also help the environment.

A Pond

Water is effective in drawing wildlife to your backyard. Consider creating a small back yard pond. A pond can be as small as 3 to 4 feet and can be built in barrels or patio containers. You can even create ponds using tubs or large water bowls. If you have the space, consider digging out an earthen pond using a pond liner. Pond liners keep water from seeping into the soil. They come in a variety of shapes, are durable and may even include built-in waterfalls. Plan for part of your pond being at least 18 to 24 inches deep, 24 to 36 inches is even better. Elevate the soil around the pond slightly so that excess water flows away from the pond, not into it. Drainage from the pond should be away from the house. If you use a pump to re-circulate the water use a filter or light the area. Remember most aquatic plants grow better in full sunlight so less maintenance is required if the pond is not located under trees. Landscaping around the pond can provide habitat for frogs and birds.

A Backyard Wetland

A wetland is any area where water covers the soil or keeps the soil saturated for at least two to three weeks during the growing season. Most wetlands are covered with water for less than a month during the summer. A mini-wetland in your backyard will temporarily store, filter and clean run-off water from your roof or lawn. It will provide habitat for many interesting creatures from butterflies to bees, salamanders to toads and for birds. Toads and tree frogs will lay eggs and pollywogs that will mature in as little as 3 or 4 weeks. There are also small wetland plants that grow quickly when the soil is wet in the spring and disappear when the soil dries. Cattails, bulrushes, jewelweed, and the cardinal flower will do well.

Composting

Composting speeds the decomposition process providing an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms. The final product is a dark crumbly, earthy smelling material that works wonders on all kinds of soil and provides vital nutrients to plants. Fungi, bacteria, worms, sow bugs, nematodes and other decomposing organisms mixed with fresh grass clippings, clover and even livestock manure (each high in nitrogen) and dried leaves and twigs (high in carbon) are all examples of useful ingredients. Do not use diseased plants, meat scraps (attracts animals) or dog and cat manure (can carry disease).

Managing Nutrients

There are 20 identified nutrients required by plants. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are required in fairly large amounts. Calcium, sulfur and magnesium are also required in large quantities. These six nutrients are referred to as macronutrients. Testing your backyard soil for nutrients and pH (a measure of the acid or alkaline in your soil) is important to provide your plants with the proper nutrient balance. If you are establishing a new lawn or landscaping, a soil test can prevent unexpected and potentially costly problems that might occur after planting. Since pH greatly influences plant nutrients adjusting pH will often correct nutrient problems.

Managing Pests

Yard pests include weeds (plants growing out of place), insects, diseases and some species of wildlife. Poor plant nutrition and misuse of pesticides can injure plants. Slugs, mites, and many species of wildlife such as rabbits, deer and crows can be destructive. It is essential that the cause of a problem be clearly identified before control practices are implemented. Insect damage may seem to appear as a disease. Nutrient problems may also mimic diseases. Herbicide damage resulting from misapplication of chemicals can also be mistaken for other problems.

Preventing pests should be your first goal. Good sanitation will help limit some problems. Planting resistant varieties of plants can prevent many diseases. Rotating annual crops in a garden is a good preventive action. It is smarter to alter the environment in favor of the plant and not the disease. Vigorous lawn and garden plants have a higher resistance to pests. Barriers can be effective. Fences can limit damage from rabbits. Row covers may prevent insect damage on young vegetable plants. Netting can be applied to small fruit trees and berries to limit damage from birds.

Many insects can be removed by hand. If there are large insects remove the insect from the plants and drop it into a container of soapy water or vegetable oil. It is wise to wear gloves or use tweezers. Many insects can be removed from plants by spraying water from a hose or sprayer. Small vacuums can be used to suck up insects.

Terracing

Terraces can actually create mini-gardens in your backyard. On steep slopes terracing can make planting a garden possible. Terraces prevent erosion by shortening the long slope into a series of shorter, more level steps. This allows heavy rains to soak into the soil rather than run off and cause erosion. Treated wood is often used to create terraces. Railroad ties, landscaping timbers – these types of treated woods will last for years. Other materials for terracing can be bricks, rocks, concrete blocks or other types of masonry.

Tree Planting

Trees in your backyard can be home to many different types of wildlife. Proper study of the selection of trees is important. Important questions to ask before planting trees:

• What purpose will the tree serve?
• Is the species appropriate for your area?
• How big will the tree get?
• What is the average life expectancy of the tree?
• Does it have a particular ornamental value such as leaf color, flowers or fruit?
• Is it particularly susceptible to any particular insect or disease?
• How common is this species in your neighborhood or town?
• Is the tree deciduous or evergreen?

Check with local authorities about any regulations regarding placement of trees. Consider the tree’s ultimate size. When the tree nears maturity will it be too near the house or other structures?

Wildlife Habitat

Habitat is a combination of food, water, shelter and space arranged to meet the needs of wildlife. Even a small yard can be landscaped to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and small animals. Trees, shrubs and other plants can provide shelter and food for wildlife. To create a wildlife habitat:

• Identify all existing plants.
• Make a sketch of your yard including all existing plants, buildings, utilities and pathways.
• Add trees, shrubs, flowers and groundcover to your plan.
• Plant a variety of trees first.
• Use smaller shade-tolerant understory trees and shrubs to fill-in.
• Fill in with smaller shade tolerant understory trees and shrubs.
• Flowering annuals and perennials add color to a yard and can be added at anytime to attract birds and butterflies. If your yard is large consider using part of it for tall native grasses and native wildflowers.
• Avoid straight lines and perfect symmetry. Natural habitat has curves and clumps of vegetation

Complete and detailed information on adapting conservation practices to your backyard can be obtained by visiting the following pages on the National NRCS Web site:

• Backyard Conservation
• Wildlife Habitat

Last Modified: 07/02/2009