Seasonal Gardening Guide

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Photo: Marian Fulton

By Sarah Coulber
With thanks to Marian Fulton
 
Marian Fulton lives in the small town of Hantsport. Her one-acre property may look like a typical garden at a glance, but it is much more. Marian and her son, Ashley, spent several years consciously working with nature to create a haven for wildlife.
 
Their efforts, which spanned several years, have attracted butterflies, birds and other beneficial creatures — sometimes because of the specialized beds they created for these species and sometimes because of the habitat they created, such as the rock pile, nesting boxes or brush piles.
 
In addition to creating habitat for food and shelter, they also made water available in a bird bath, which is cleaned regularly.
 
Their commitment to meeting the basic needs of wildlife extended to their plant choices, most of which are native to their area. They also used a variety of plant types that create more space in the garden, versus a lawn with no added dimension. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials created space to nest, rest and find protection from the elements and predators. Some of their plants include blueberry, high bush cranberry, wild rose, Echinacea, tamarack, fir, red pine and maple.
 
Ashley was 13 when he first got involved in the gardening. His interest spread to watching the wildlife that their garden supported and noting his observations. Many of his efforts were the basis of yearly projects shown at the Annapolis Valley District Regional Science Fair. His work was even recognized one year with a bronze medal.
 
Now 24 and away at university, his interest has not waned. In fact, Marian notes that the enjoyment in their garden has now extended to a new generation. “Ashley has a four-year-old stepdaughter, Elizabeth, and it is a real joy to share our property with her.  She loves finding caterpillars, worms, and watching the birds at the feeders and bird bath.  I would say the greatest joy is now sharing the nature on our property with her.”

Click to enlarge

Photo: Marian Fulton

Marian has noticed the trees maturing and, as her family’s time in the garden has been significantly reduced, some parts of the garden grew into brushy habitat. Consequently “we have seen an increase in the number of birds coming to the feeders and nesting in the area over the last few years,” Marian notes. “The one thing I have kept up is the bird feeders.  We had a yellow-bellied sapsucker at our bird pie feeder for several winters.  This bird is considered very rare for Nova Scotia in winter, so I had many birders from around the province here trying to add it to their winter lists. During the past few weeks I have also had a red-bellied woodpecker, another rarity, and birders are coming again to attempt to add it to their lists.”  
 
Ashley and Marian plan on doing more gardening this year. And while it was somewhat different many years ago when they started, they are not alone now, as Marian finds that natural gardening is quickly catching on in her neck of the woods. That’s exciting news for wildlife watchers and wildlife alike!