Pets aren’t limited to dogs and cats, which are treated as indoor pets by most people. If you have a landscape garden, especially a spacious one, you have plenty of room for other pets.
But picking animals to raise in your landscape shouldn’t be done carelessly. The last thing you want is your precious plants getting destroyed by a playful puppy who loves to dig.
If you’ve been thinking of raising more pets for your beautiful landscape garden in Park City, here are the animals that will be your allies:
1. Frogs
If you have a pond in your garden, you’ll naturally attract frogs because they can treat it as their new habitat. Frogs can be pets, too, and they’re certainly low-maintenance because they can fend for themselves. Your garden will benefit from their presence as well because they prey on insects that can ruin your plants.
However, if you plan on importing frogs, take note that it’s illegal to release non-native species in many areas. They may possibly outnumber and kill the native species, or not survive in their new area. It’s also illegal to take frogs from public parks and conservation areas. Therefore, it would be better to wait for a native frog to visit your garden on its own rather than purposely capture one.
2. Native Birds
Like frogs, native birds will also be naturally attracted to your garden if you provide the right environment for them. Trees and shrubs can become their hiding places, and nest boxes or birdhouses tucked in the tree cavities will become their young’s safe haven.
Plant berries or cones so that they’ll have food. They can also prey on insects, but the sight of berries and cones just makes your garden more charming. You can also provide a birdbath, a 2- to a 3-inch deep pond with a rough bottom for the birds’ footing.
3. Rabbits
Backyard bunnies can also be beneficial to your garden. Their manure is good for the soil, helping your vegetable patch thrive if your garden has one. Plus, their manure has the benefits a cow’s, horse’s, and poultry. It doesn’t even need to be composted; it can be applied as it is directly to the garden bed.
As for their diet, they can feed on your vegetable scraps and garden waste. They also help in composting waste, providing mulch.
4. Ducks
If you can provide a 10- to 25-feet open space and another 4- to 6-feet space for a duck house, then ducks can be your new garden companions. The pond will also be their pool, joining frogs, toads, and other birds. They prey on insects as well and are adept foragers, so feeding them is fuss-free. If weeds are a constant problem in your yard, ducks will come to your aid.
5. Goats
Pygmy, Nigerian, Pygora, Nigora, Pygora, and other goat breeds can be excellent landscape allies as well. Their manure will benefit your soil, and they will also get rid of pesky garden weeds for you. Their milk is healthy and can be sold, as well as their meat, although you aren’t likely planning on benefiting from their meat if you’re going to raise them as pets, and therefore family.
Take note that goats tend to have a sensitive stomach, and are advised to be dewormed twice a year. Check on them daily, because a stomach issue can kill them within hours.
Having these beneficial garden animals in your own landscape might be good for your well-being, too because they provide beauty and entertainment. If you have young kids, monitor them closely because they might scare or harm these new pets unknowingly. Most importantly, be sure to have the means and capabilities to care for these animals. They’re just as precious as our beloved cats and dogs.
