An edition of Heirloom Gardener featured an article on learning how to love wasps and snakes. It stated how almost no one actively encourages snakes and wasps into their gardens. Here at 7 E’s Homestead, I’m proud to say I’m “almost no one.” We have always been passionate about protecting and encouraging habitats for beneficial insects, frogs, turtles, and snakes.
The last large snake we brought home had spent his life in a rustic barn that was due to be demolished, and the farm site turned into a bean field. With the permission of the owner, we captured it (“we” here means my husband Jim as I love the idea of protecting snakes but can’t quite work up the courage to handle them) and released it on the snake pile.
When we moved our present house off its crumbling foundation, we saved the foundation stones. It has been a haven for countless snakes, lizards, and turtles that we rescued. Snakes feed on insects, mice, slugs, snails, and other small rodents. Next time you’re in your yard, why not look to see what critters you find! You never know what may be hiding under a rock, bush, or even under your nose! So many of these living beings can be beneficial to your yard and can be fun to watch too.
Robins are also beneficial to the homestead by devouring grubs and eating many insects that can disfigure lawns and gardens. We had a robin build her nest on one of the ladders leaning on a fence for the chickens to roost upon. Because chickens are omnivorous and will eat baby birds if given a chance, my entire flock was confined in their aviary until the young ones took flight. The robins hatched four babies. It’s the little things on the farm that can bring the most pleasure.
I have never been one to put out bird seed, but since enjoying the robins, I think I’ll see what they have at Buchheit in the way of a feeder for finches or hummingbirds. Hope you will think about encouraging habitats of beneficial creatures, too!
Be Blessed! Annie May!
