Outdoor Living
Downsizing appeals to some baby boomers and senior adults because the lots are smaller and there’s less time and stress spent on lawn maintenance. But avid gardeners don’t always have to give up their hobby.
Martha Sheffield drastically reduced the size of her yard when she moved from 27 acres in Lithonia to a cottage on a little more than an eighth of an acre in Park Springs, a retirement community in Stone Mountain, but she found a way to continue gardening.
“I’m a strong believer in natural areas and leaving space for wildlife,” Sheffield said.
The garden at her Park Springs home, which is about 20 feet from Stone Mountain Park's fence, has earned the National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat.
“I have woods behind me and a stream, which is nice. It’s one of the reasons why I moved in here,” she said.
The Park Springs community also has the National Wildlife Federation certification, joining other communities and even cities, such as Johns Creek, which this spring was awarded the 60th Certified Community Wildlife Habitat in the U.S.
“To me, it’s therapy, it really is, to just get your hands in the soil and plant a little plant and watch it grow. It just is really satisfying. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and you’re proud of yourself,” she said.
Wildlife-friendly garden
Although critters such as raccoons find their way to Sheffield’s garden, she created the space for hummingbirds, bluebirds, butterflies, squirrels and other animals. Serviceberry trees and hickory nut and pecan trees help feed the animals.
“This year [the serviceberry trees] were just loaded down with berries,” she said. “I was out working one Sunday, and the trees were full of birds.”
Her blueberry bush and tomatoes also often are eaten by wildlife before she’s able to pick the items for herself. Sheffield’s garden also provides water sources, with three birdbaths and a stream, as well as six different types of bird feeders.
Dense shrubs, vegetation, a nesting box and ponds provide sheltered spots for wildlife to raise their offspring. Rock piles, shrubs and two birdhouses are among the spots where her garden provides places for wildlife to hide and be protected from bad weather and predators, which is another Certified Wildlife Habitat requirement.
“The birdhouses I have are for bluebirds. A wren has a family in one of them right now. They’ve been out there feeding them this morning. I could hear them chattering,” said Sheffield, who has lived in Park Springs for seven years.
Native plants abound
Sheffield uses native plants as much as possible. The lineup includes: several kinds of salvia, asters, wild geraniums, azaleas, ferns, cardinal flower, Louisiana iris, dwarf iris, butterfly weed, trillium, Joe Pye Weed, Jacob’s ladder, May apple, Indian pink and wild columbine. Sheffield also has planted some annuals, such as agastache, to attract birds and butterflies. She counts 30 containers in her garden, which also have native plants chosen with animals in mind.
“The Lady in Red Salvia the hummingbirds love, so I plant that every year for them,” she said.
Getting certified
A Certified Wildlife Habitat is given to gardens -- from small ones on balconies of apartments and condos, to those as large as farms -- that attract wildlife and help restore habitat in residential areas (it’s also given to commercial properties).
To earn the certification, homeowners must meet these qualifications:
- Provide food for wildlife.
- Supply water for wildlife.
- Create cover for wildlife.
- Give wildlife a place to raise their young.
To learn more, visit www.nwf.org/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat.
Shopping list
Martha Sheffield, also a master gardener in DeKalb County, buys plants and garden accessories from these stores:
- Hall's Flower Shop & Garden Center, Stone Mountain (www.hallsflowershop.com)
- Still Lake Nursery, Lawrenceville (www.stilllakenursery.com)
- Intown Ace Hardware, Decatur and Virginia-Highland (www.intownace.com)
- The Garden Enthusiast, Tucker (www.thegardenenthusiast.com)
- Wild Birds Unlimited, multiple metro Atlanta locations (www.wbu.com)
- Native Plant Botanical Garden at Georgia Perimeter College, Decatur (www.gpcnativegarden.org)
