Helping Biodiversity in Your Backyard

When it comes to the slice of earth you call your backyard, that old expression "variety is the spice of life" holds special meaning. By nurturing biodiversity — the amazing variety of living things waiting to make your yard their home — you can turn your backyard from humdrum to hummingbirds.

Every yard, regardless of size, makes a difference. And what you do to honor Mother Nature's intentions reaches far beyond your home. You can experience nature firsthand, do good for the environment at large, and watch your dreams for biodiversity come true in your very own yard.

Your yard and garden choices invite nature and diversity back home.

Understanding Backyard Biodiversity

Once upon a time, the space around your house looked a lot different than it does today — not just to people but to all the creatures that lived where you live now. Maybe your yard was a short grass prairie filled with waves of wildflower meadows you can replicate. Or maybe it was a dry, rocky plain dotted with water-conscious, drought-tolerant plants.

Whatever it was, chances are your yard was once teaming with life — and those days are probably long gone. (No, your latest backyard party doesn't count.) Most urban and suburban developments were designed for people and convenience, not for biological diversity. But you can be part of the movement underway to forge your own path and do yard and garden in a whole new way.

For backyard biodiversity, that means going beyond what generations did before — and going beyond sustainability to something more. You can call your own shots and regenerate and rejuvenate the precious property placed in your care. From beneficial microorganisms in the soil you nurture to the plants you grow and the wildlife you feed, you can attract wild birds and invite nature in all its diversity back to your yard to stay.

Biodiversity brings beauty in flowers and their visitors.

Enhancing Biodiversity Around Your Home

Before you dive into making changes in your yard, get quiet for a few minutes and reassess your goals. Nurturing and enhancing biodiversity involves working in harmony with Mother Nature, not against her. Simple changes in your yard can make a big difference for the environment and still provide beautiful outdoor spaces for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

Biodiversity starts from the bottom up. By that we mean your lawn and soil. Don't give up on turf — lawns benefit the environment, too. But consider unconventional sustainable lawn alternatives, like low-maintenance, self-fertilizing Pennington Smart Seed Clover + Grass Mix, to complement your beautiful turf grasses with more natural areas (and more clover blossoms for native bees).

If you're starting a new flower garden or planning your first vegetable garden, don't overlook regenerative gardening principles — borrowed from very wise farmers — to actually improve the health and structure of your soil. Premium Rejuvenate plant foods, like Pennington Plant Food Rose & Flower 4-6-3, revitalize your soil with a blend of organic and natural ingredients, including essential plant nutrients and beneficial microorganisms to strengthen plants against stress and drought.

Beauty (and some bouquets for you) is a given, no matter what you're planning. But you want to also think of the creatures that will share your space. With Pennington Wildflower Mixes, bird-friendly native plants, and strategic trees, your backyard becomes a hotspot for nectar, seeds and fruits. When you add birdhouses and feeders stocked with treats like Pennington Ultra Feeding Frenzy Seed and Suet Nugget Blend or Pennington Classic Wild Bird Feed, you send the message — loud and clear — that wildlife, from birds to beneficial insects, is welcome at your place. 

When you nurture biodiversity, you're rewarded year-round.

Building on Biodiversity and Enjoying It

Nurturing biodiversity is good for the environment. Mother Nature's already smiling just because you're reading this. But biological diversity in your corner of the world is also good for you and your family. You'll be able to view birds and other wildlife up close and personal. And you'll experience things that you — and your kids, if you have them — will never forget. All in your own backyard. 

Plants that attract pollinating birds and insects can be pretty entertaining as native bees and colorful butterflies and hummingbirds make your lawn and garden's feeding stations and water features, like our Pennington Cedar Nature's Friend Bird Feeder or our Pennington Cedar Hanging 2 in 1 Bird Bath/Feeder, regular stops on their daily rounds. You'll start to recognize their habits and their personalities — and they'll probably do the same with you. 

Planting new trees and shrubs this fall or in spring, with the help of Pennington Plant Starter to help them settle in without transplant shock, provides perfect nesting spots. You'll hear songbird melodies backed by a chorus of tiny chirps from baby birds whose first view in life is your backyard. 

When you nurture biodiversity, the fun keeps going year-round, as word gets out that your backyard is a haven every season of the year. Trust us. Here at Pennington, we're garden lovers and birders ourselves — and we know what we're talking about. 

Have a question about birds, biodiversity or just lawns and gardens? Reach out and let us know. We have answers to help you learn and grow. Our specialty is helping dreams come true. Let us help you nurture your roots. 

Always read product labels and follow instructions carefully.

back-to-top