By Candy Venning

Surely we all have enough lists in our lives? This one aims only to be helpful, not demanding and is easy on the finances. Come spring I plan to give a workshop covering all these topics in a lighthearted way with strong visuals so I’m using it as a checklist for myself too. 😊

  • Pile it up. Gathering of rocks of various sizes or branches in a pile, stacked logs (especially of invasive species like Norway Maple) as excellent habitat for all manner of wee creatures that build rich loamy soil. If you have enough space, consider leaving dead trees in place (aka a Snag) for woodpeckers and flycatchers and other birds.
  • As complex or simple as you like but most importantly, keep it clean or if you can’t clean it almost daily then leave it empty. Fresh water is very beneficial for all creatures while stagnant or overused water can easily spread disease, especially amongst birds.
  • Native plants. So many great resources online to learn about what’s native to your area https://www.hamiltonpollinatorparadise.org  Also, start to gather seeds from sources for winter sowing. Or learn what plant species are non-beneficial for local fauna aka remove invasives species, ideally, do both if you can!
  • Varying heights for varying habitats and food we’ve already covered ‘piles’ but trees and dense shrubs also provide essential nesting, resting and hiding spots for smaller songbirds from predators, especially during migration. Usually, it’s trees and bushes which flower earliest and start feeding pollinators long before we notice the first perennials bloom in our yards.
  • Leave the leaves – add them to one of your piles, collect them off your neighbour’s lawn, this is one of the best sources of free soil – after all, it’s how forests build soil.
  • Add walkways This can be very simply done with a mower or a thick mulch path or more permanently with stepping stones etc. The reason? to prevent disturbing and compacting soil and allow you to get to areas to pull out unwanted plants. Remove some or all of your grass.
  • Join a group. Green Venture, The Hamilton Naturalists & Environment Hamilton come immediately to mind and they will have projects and partners that could use your help for a day or more long term. If you cannot donate time or money, consider following them online and boosting their message, reading their newsletters and rallying friends and family to join too.
  • Planting: Fall is an ideal time to add native plants or divide and share but kindly do not share common invasives – this can be anything from a persistent plant like Creeping bellflower that may be entangled in the soil of your gifted plant to Jumping worms or a root fragment from Japanese Knotweed. Digging up something like periwinkle or English Ivy? Please don’t donate, eliminate – we have more than enough invasive species out there and it’s the ‘gift’ that someone may truly regret receiving once they know more about its aggressive spreading habit.

– please write to me if you think of something I should be including on this list – perhaps something you’ve learned or something that is important to you. Candyvenning@gmail.com