How to Grow Wildlife Plantings
Wikimedia Commons
Wildlife Plantings
Various species (general category)
mixedWildlife plantings refer to a curated selection of native and adapted plants designed to support local fauna including birds, pollinators, mammals, and insects. These gardens provide essential food sources, shelter, nesting sites, and corridors for wildlife movement. Creating a wildlife-friendly landscape promotes biodiversity and supports ecosystem health.
When should you plant Wildlife Plantings in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Wildlife Plantings timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wildlife Plantings
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Wildlife Plantings
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wildlife Plantings dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Varies by region; select native plants appropriate to your specific USDA zone
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Establishment
First 4-8 weeksNewly planted seedlings and transplants are settling into soil and developing root systems
Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base; protect from extreme conditions
Vegetative Growth
4-12 weeks for herbaceous plants, ongoing for perennials and woody plantsPlants develop foliage, stems, and structural growth; leaves expand and branches strengthen
Reduce watering as root systems establish; avoid heavy pruning; allow natural form to develop; monitor for pests
Flowering and Fruiting
Seasonal, typically spring through fall depending on speciesBlooms appear, attracting pollinators; fruits and seeds develop to feed wildlife
Deadhead selectively only if extending blooms is desired; allow spent flowers and fruits to remain for wildlife food; provide support for heavy fruit
Seed Maturation and Dispersal
Late summer through winterSeeds fully mature and are dispersed by wind, water, or animal consumption; plants produce abundant food sources
Leave seed heads and dried fruit intact for wildlife foraging; avoid fall cleanup of entire garden; rake gently only in high-traffic areas
Dormancy and Winter Cover
Fall through spring in temperate zonesHerbaceous plants die back; woody plants lose leaves; stems and dried plant material provide shelter and structure
Leave standing stems for overwintering insects and birds; reduce or eliminate watering; pile leaf litter in corners for small animal habitat
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Encourage natural predators like ladybugs; spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap only if severe
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Hand-pick in early morning; avoid traps near wildlife areas; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps
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Select deer-resistant native species; use physical barriers only if necessary; avoid supplemental feeding nearby
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Provide habitat for ground beetles and toads that prey on them; remove dense debris only where necessary; copper barriers in critical areas
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Improve air circulation; water at base only; select mildew-resistant species; avoid excessive fertilization
Uses
Pollinator Support
WildlifeNative flowering plants provide essential nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. A diverse selection of blooms throughout the growing season ensures continuous food availability. [source]
Bird Food and Shelter
WildlifeBerry-producing shrubs, seed-bearing plants, and dense woody vegetation offer food sources and protected nesting and roosting sites for migratory and resident birds. [source]
Beneficial Insect Habitat
WildlifeFlowering plants, leaf litter, standing stems, and dense vegetation shelter beneficial insects like parasitic wasps, ground beetles, and lacewings that control pest populations naturally. [source]
Mammal Food and Shelter
WildlifeMast-producing trees, berry bushes, and dense cover provide food and protective habitat for squirrels, rabbits, hedgehogs, and other small mammals essential to ecosystem function. [source]
Low-Maintenance Landscape
HouseholdNative plants adapted to local conditions require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides once established, reducing yard work and maintenance costs while supporting wildlife. [source]
Harvest Tips
Wildlife plantings are harvested by the wildlife itself. Allow berries, seeds, nuts, and fruits to remain on plants for animal consumption. For human harvest of edible natives, pick fruits when fully ripe and abundant enough that wildlife won't be deprived
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Native plants evolved with local wildlife over thousands of years, meaning insects and animals are specifically adapted to eat and utilize them—non-native ornamentals often provide little nutritional value despite being ornamental.
- 🌱 A single native oak tree can support over 500 species of insects, which in turn feed birds and other wildlife; planting native trees is one of the most impactful wildlife gardening actions.
- 🌱 Wildlife gardens create ecological corridors that allow animal movement between fragmented habitats, helping populations maintain genetic diversity and access to essential resources across the landscape.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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