The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife (How to Create a Sustainable and Ethical Garden That Promotes Native Wildlif

A philosophical and practical guide for the gardener who hopes to wants to create a backyard garden in harmony with nature.

Why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. An eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson uses engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the United States, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists to demonstrate how we can apply the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces.

A book for gardens of all shapes, sizes, and budgets. Includes detailed chapters that address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden.

Includes a Getting Started section complete with general information, suggested further reading for specific regions, native plant information and regional databases, and native plant retail sources and suppliers.

Who is the humane gardener? The humane gardener practices compassionate landscaping. They attract wildlife and peacefully resolve conflicts with all the creatures that may inhabit their garden. They see the garden as a meeting place for all creatures, not a territory to be defended.

ISBN-13: 9781616895549

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press

Publication Date: 04-18-2017

Pages: 224

Product Dimensions: 5.70(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.90(d)

Nancy Lawson is a writer, editor, and naturalist, and the founder of Humane Gardener, an outreach initiative to help people live in harmony with the animals in their backyards. She writes the "Humane Backyard" column for All Animals magazine, published by the Humane Society of the United States. Prior to being a freelance writer and consultant, she worked for 15 years as an editor on Humane Society publications.

Table of Contents

Author's Note 9

Introduction 11

1 A New Kind of Dream Home: Plant Native Plants 19

More than mere decoration, plants are the foundation of any humane garden.

2 The Beauty of Letting Go: Let Nature Guide Your Garden 49

Partnering with plants and animals brings a world of discoveries.

3 Is Your Yard Family-Friendly? Provide Baby Food and Nesting Sites 73

Birds, bees, and butterflies require special habitat for their young.

4 Safety Zones: Create Sanctuary in a Treacherous World 113

Wild Animals face hidden hazards in our yards and gardens.

5 A Harvest for All: Share the Bounty Through Peaceful Coexistence 139

Animals aren't out to get us, but the "pest"-control industry would have us believe otherwise.

6 The Gift that Keeps On Giving: Encourage Life in the Decay 179

When trees die, the world springs anew-if you let it.

Getting Started 205

Plants Mentioned in This Book 211

Notes 216

Selected Bibliography 221

Acknowledgments 223

Image Credits 224

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