7 Steps to Build a Forest Garden for Wildlife

Want to create a thriving ecosystem in your backyard? A forest garden for wildlife is the answer. Here's how to build one in 7 simple steps:

Check your garden space
Plan wildlife homes
Set up garden layers
Pick your plants
Add garden features
Plant your garden
Care for your garden

A forest garden mimics natural forests, providing food and habitat for local wildlife while producing edible plants for you. It's low-maintenance, boosts biodiversity, and improves soil health.

Key benefits:

Attracts diverse wildlife
Requires less upkeep than traditional gardens
Improves soil quality naturally
Provides year-round food for animals and humans

To get started:

Choose native plants for your area
Create different layers from tall trees to ground cover
Add water features and shelter options
Let nature take the lead in maintenance

Remember: patience is key. A thriving forest garden ecosystem takes time to develop, but the rewards are worth the wait.

Layer	Height	Examples
Canopy	30+ feet	Fruit/nut trees
Low-tree	10-30 feet	Dwarf fruit trees
Shrub	3-10 feet	Berry bushes
Herbaceous	Ground level	Herbs, vegetables

Start small, go native, and watch your mini-ecosystem flourish!

What is a Wildlife Forest Garden?

Think of a wildlife forest garden as a mini-forest in your backyard. It's not your typical landscaped yard with a few trees and a lawn. Instead, it's a carefully designed system that mimics nature.

Picture layers of plants, from tall trees down to ground cover. Each layer plays a part in creating a diverse, interconnected ecosystem. Unlike traditional yards that often use chemicals and offer little to wildlife, these gardens are built to support pollinators, birds, and other creatures.

Main Ideas and Nature Benefits

Forest gardens aren't just good for wildlife - they're great for gardeners too. Here's why:

They're hotspots for biodiversity. With lots of different plant species, they attract a wide range of animals and beneficial insects.
They're low-maintenance. Most plants are perennials, so you won't need to replant every year. Plus, you'll spend less time tilling or disturbing the soil.
They improve soil quality. As wildlife moves around the garden, they help spread nutrients, boosting soil health with their waste.
They're good for your mental health. Spending time in nature, especially while gardening, can help boost your mood and overall well-being.

As forest gardening expert Martin Crawford puts it:

"A Forest Garden is a designed agronomic system based on trees, shrubs and perennial plants. These are mixed in such a way as to mimic the structure of a natural forest – the most stable and sustainable type of ecosystem in this climate."

Understanding Garden Layers

A forest garden typically has seven layers. Each one plays a key role in the ecosystem:

Canopy: The tallest trees, like fruit and nut trees.
Small trees/shrubs: These fit between and below the canopy trees. Think dwarf fruit trees or large shrubs.
Shrubs: Usually shade-tolerant, like berry bushes or hazelnuts.
Herbaceous perennials: Plants that die back in winter, such as herbs and leafy greens.
Ground cover: Low-growing plants that spread, like strawberries or creeping herbs.
Climbers: Plants that need support to grow upwards, such as grapes or kiwi vines.
Rhizosphere: Plants and fungi that grow underground, like root vegetables and mushrooms.

Understanding these layers helps you create a balanced habitat. It's not just about planting whatever you like. The key is to mimic nature's design.

When planning your forest garden, consider using native species. They're already adapted to your local climate and will support your local ecosystem best. Plus, they'll likely need less care to thrive in your garden.

Step 1: Check Your Garden Space

Before you dive into creating your forest garden, you need to know what you're working with. Let's take a closer look at your current garden space.

Look for Current Wildlife

Start by watching your garden. What animals do you see? Keep a simple log:

Note the animals you spot
Write down when you see them
Look for any patterns in their visits

One gardener put it this way: "I love my alligator lizards. When I see them in my backyard, I know that the yard is healthy and things are as they ought to be."

These little observations can tell you a lot about your garden's ecosystem.

Check Light, Soil, and Water

Now, let's look at the physical stuff:

1. Sunlight

How much sun does your garden get? Some spots might be sunny all day, others shady. Make a note of these areas.

2. Soil

What's your soil like? You can test it with a home kit or send samples to a local extension office. This will tell you about pH and nutrients.

3. Water

Where does water naturally collect? Are there dry spots? Knowing this helps you pick the right plants.

Anna Hess, a gardener and author, says: "My goal is to build new soil high enough up that it's not always waterlogged." Smart thinking, Anna!

List Current Plants and Features

Take a walk around your garden. What's already there?

Trees and shrubs
Rocks or slopes
Fences or sheds

Sketch a quick map of your yard. It doesn't need to be perfect. As the City of Fort Collins puts it: "You must have a plan on paper! The plan is critical. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it must include the basic wildlife needs."

This simple step will help you make smart decisions as you design your wildlife-friendly garden.

Step 2: Plan Wildlife Homes

Want to create a forest garden that's a wildlife magnet? Let's look at how to plan homes that'll keep critters coming back all year round.

Basic Wildlife Needs

To make your garden a wildlife hotspot, focus on four key things:

Food: Lots of native plants for year-round munchies
Water: For drinking, bathing, and baby-making
Shelter: Hiding spots from predators and nasty weather
Nesting sites: Safe spaces for raising the little ones

Here's a quick breakdown:

Need	How to Provide It
Food	Native plants with berries, nuts, and nectar-rich flowers
Water	Pond or birdbath
Shelter	Brush piles, log stacks, and dense shrubs
Nesting	Birdhouses, bat boxes, and standing dead trees

The secret? Make it feel like home. As Vic MacBournie from Ferns & Feathers puts it:

"Provide the three basic requirements: Namely food, water and shelter."

Plan for All Seasons

Wildlife needs change with the seasons. Here's how to keep them happy year-round:

Spring:

Leave some grass long for ground-nesters
Plant early-blooming flowers for hungry pollinators

Summer:

Keep water sources clean and topped up
Create cool, shady spots

Fall:

Don't deadhead all your flowers - birds love the seeds
Build cozy log and leaf piles for hibernators

Winter:

Offer high-energy snacks like suet and sunflower seeds
Keep water from freezing

Malcolm Berry, a wildlife gardening pro, has a neat trick:

"I have a small 'makeshift meadow' in the forest garden, which I scythe once a year to create hay mulch."

This gives wildlife a place to hang out AND helps your garden. Win-win!

To make your forest garden a year-round wildlife paradise:

1. Create habitat islands

Cluster native plants in natural-looking groups. It's better shelter and a bigger buffet than spreading everything out.

2. Add water features

Even a small pond can be a game-changer. The Woodland Trust says:

"If space is tight, just a small dish can supply ample drinking and bathing water for birds and mammals."

Just make sure the sides slope gently so critters can get in and out easily.

3. Build diverse shelter options

Mix it up with different types of shelter:

Thick shrubs for nesting birds
Log piles for bugs and amphibians
Rock piles for reptiles
Bat boxes for night flyers

Step 3: Set Up Garden Layers

Creating a forest garden that mimics nature's design is key to attracting wildlife. Let's break down how to structure these layers for maximum benefit.

Tall Trees for Wildlife

The canopy layer forms the backbone of your forest garden. These tall trees (30 feet or higher) offer nesting sites for birds and food for many animals.

Pick a mix of productive and shelter-providing trees. Include nitrogen-fixing species to boost soil health.

Here's a quick guide to selecting canopy trees:

Tree Type	Examples	Benefits
Productive	English walnuts, chestnuts	Food for wildlife and humans
Shelter	Feijoa, Japanese plums	Nesting sites, wind protection
Nitrogen-fixing	Alders, locusts, wattle	Improve soil fertility

Plant your trees using the "crown touching rule" - space them a crown's diameter apart. This ensures enough light reaches lower layers.

Medium Trees and Bushes

The sub-canopy layer (10-30 feet tall) adds diversity to your garden ecosystem. Good options include:

Fruit trees: Apples, pears, peaches, plums
Berry bushes: Raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, blueberries

Sheryn Dean, an experienced gardener, adds:

"Don't forget about Ugni molinae (NZ cranberry and Chilean guava), elder, and currants."

Ground Plants

The herbaceous and ground cover layers attract insects and small animals. They also protect the soil and create a thermal layer for roots.

For these layers:

Use perennial veggies and herbs
Choose shade-tolerant species for ground cover
Aim for 25% nitrogen-fixing plants

Climbing Plants

Vines and climbers add vertical interest and create more living space for wildlife. Try grapes, kiwi vines, or climbing beans.

Root Layer Plants

Mix plants with different root depths to improve soil structure and health. Consider alliums (onions, garlic), root veggies (carrots, potatoes), and tubers.

Robert A. de J. Hart, a forest gardening pioneer, sums it up:

"Forest gardening offers the potential for all gardeners to grow an important element of their health-creating food; it combines positive gardening and positive health..."

Step 4: Pick Your Plants

Choosing the right plants can make or break your forest garden. Let's dive into how to select plants that'll keep your local wildlife happy and your garden thriving.

Local Plants for Local Wildlife

Native plants are your best friends here. They're tough, low-maintenance, and wildlife love them. Win-win, right?

Check out these native plant superstars:

Plant	Native Region	Wildlife Benefits
Joe Pye Weed	Eastern and Central U.S.	Butterfly magnet
Milkweed	Various U.S. regions	Monarch butterfly's favorite
Zinnias	Southwest U.S.	Butterfly paradise

These aren't just pretty faces. They're crucial for your local ecosystem. As Annie Parnell puts it:

"Building a butterfly garden is one of the best ways to help your local ecosystem, and it's even easier if you stick to native species."

Plants That Multitask

Why settle for one-trick ponies? Pick plants that wear many hats:

Conifers and evergreens: Year-round wildlife hotels
Berry producers: Snacks for critters (and you)
Nitrogen-fixers: Soil boosters that wildlife love

Food All Year Round

Don't leave your wildlife friends hanging when winter hits. Plan for a four-season buffet:

Season	Plant Examples	Wildlife Supported
Spring	Early bloomers	Pollinators
Summer	Berries, fruits	Birds, small mammals
Fall	Seed producers	Birds
Winter	Evergreens with berries	Birds, deer

Play It Safe

Watch out for plant bullies! Some plants might look nice but can wreak havoc on your garden ecosystem.

Before you plant:

Do your homework on growth habits
Check local gardening resources for problem plants
If it's known troublemaker, find a better option

Step 5: Add Garden Features

Let's spice up your forest garden with some wildlife-friendly features. These additions will turn your space into a bustling ecosystem.

Add Water Features

Water is a magnet for wildlife. Here's how to incorporate it:

Ponds: Even a tiny one can make a big difference. The Wildlife and Wetlands Trust (WWT) says:

"By creating ponds and wetland areas in our gardens - no matter how small – we'll be building a vibrant home for a diverse range of wildlife."

Bird Baths: Simple but effective. Place them at different heights for various bird species.

Shallow Puddles: Create small water sources for bees and butterflies.

Feature	Wildlife It Attracts	Maintenance Tip
Pond	Amphibians, dragonflies, birds	Make sides sloping for easy access
Bird Bath	Various bird species	Clean with diluted vinegar regularly
Shallow Puddle	Bees, butterflies	Refresh water daily

Keep it clean! Deanna Talerico from Homestead and Chill shares:

"We currently have two bird baths and a fountain, with plans to add more!"

Use Dead Wood

Dead wood is a wildlife hotspot. Try these:

1. Log Piles: Stack logs in a corner of your garden.

2. Stumps: Keep tree stumps if you can.

3. Branch Piles: Stack branches of different sizes loosely.

These provide homes for insects, small mammals, and some birds.

Make Rock and Brush Piles

Rock and brush piles are great shelters. Here's how:

Use big logs or rocks as a base.
Add smaller branches or stones on top.
Leave gaps for animals to move through.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service notes:

"Natural shelter is scarce throughout our increasingly fragmented suburban areas and your habitat piles could help give wildlife a safe space."

Create Wildlife Paths

Make your garden easy for wildlife to navigate:

Connect garden areas with hedgerows or shrub borders.
Leave some grass longer for corridors.
Make gaps at fence bases for hedgehogs and other small animals.

These features turn your garden into a thriving ecosystem. Herb Lewis, who created a wildlife haven in his yard, says:

"Birds are vulnerable out in the open, but if a water feature is placed amongst trees and shrubs, then there will be places for birds to escape to when they feel threatened."

Step 6: Plant Your Garden

It's time to get your hands dirty. Let's turn your forest garden plan into reality.

Prep the Ground

First, get your soil ready:

Do a soil test. Your local extension office can help.
Clear the area. For big grassy spots, try a sod cutter.
Deal with weeds. Lauren Lynch, an experienced gardener, says:

"I often just use cardboard and mulch. The mulch breaks down pretty quickly into rich soil."

Boost your soil. Add compost or aged manure, especially if your soil test shows poor quality.

Planting Order

Plant your forest garden in this order:

Canopy trees
Understory trees and shrubs
Herbs and veggies
Ground cover

Here's a quick planting guide:

Step	What to Do	Why It Helps
1	Dig wide	Roots spread easily
2	Soak roots	Less transplant stress
3	Use mycorrhizal inoculant	Better root growth
4	Backfill carefully	No air pockets
5	Mulch thick	Fewer weeds, happy roots

Invite Wildlife

As you plant, make space for critters:

Stack branches for shelter
Add water. The Wildlife and Wetlands Trust says:

"By creating ponds and wetland areas in our gardens - no matter how small – we'll be building a vibrant home for a diverse range of wildlife."

Use native plants for food and shelter

Build Great Soil

Good soil is key. Here's how to get it:

Plant nitrogen-fixers like sunshine mimosa
"Chop and drop" prunings as mulch
Keep mulching
Don't till

Building a forest garden takes time, but it's worth it. As William from Permaculture Apprentice puts it:

"Half a day of 'hard work' for what might be years and years or even a century of benefits for people and animals."

Step 7: Care for Your Garden

Let's talk about keeping your forest garden thriving as a wildlife hotspot. The goal? Minimal effort, maximum benefits for local critters.

Let Nature Take the Wheel

Want a low-maintenance wildlife garden? Let nature do the heavy lifting:

Skip the chemicals. Pesticides and fertilizers? No thanks. Instead, let beneficial insects and natural predators handle pest control.
Embrace the mess. Those fallen leaves and dead wood? Leave 'em be. They're nature's mulch, adding nutrients and creating homes for bugs and small animals.
Easy on the pruning. Only grab those shears when it's absolutely necessary. Dead branches are prime real estate for nesting and shelter.

Boost Wildlife

Keep your garden buzzing with life:

1. Food all year round

Season	What's on the Menu?
Spring	Early bloomers for nectar
Summer	Berries and fruits
Fall	Plants with seeds
Winter	Evergreens with berries, dried seed heads

2. Water, water everywhere

Keep those bird baths and shallow puddles clean and topped up. In winter, toss in a small floating object to prevent freezing.

3. Mix it up

Combine dense shrubs, open spaces, and climbing vines. Different critters, different needs.

Protect Animal Homes

Safeguarding wildlife shelters is a year-round job:

Spring/Summer: Hands off those nesting sites. Save the big garden projects for fall if you can.
Fall: Let some areas grow wild and keep those seed heads for winter snacks.
Winter: Maintain brush piles and log stacks. They're cozy spots for hibernating animals.

Deanna Talerico from Homestead and Chill puts it well:

"Perfection is not the goal. While we strive to meet all of these ideals, I'll admit that we do still have an odd non-native plant or two, and a couple overhead sprinklers where drip isn't feasible – but we also have nesting birds, hundreds of bees and butterflies, a thriving beneficial insect community, and more."

Watch and Learn

Keep your eyes peeled:

Start a garden journal. Jot down wildlife sightings, plant growth, and seasonal shifts.
Spot the trouble areas. Look for signs of erosion, pest problems, or struggling plants.
Be flexible. Use what you see to tweak your gardening game and better support wildlife.

Next Steps

You've set up your wildlife forest garden. Now, let's look at what's next and how to keep things moving.

Watch Your Garden Grow

Your forest garden will change over time, turning into a lively ecosystem. Here's what you might see:

Year	What to Expect
1-2	Ground cover and shrubs take root
3-5	Trees grow bigger, more wildlife shows up
5-10	Ecosystem starts running itself

Craig from Green & Growing says:

"A forest garden is a big project that pays off in the long run, but it takes time to see real results."

Be patient and keep an eye on the changes. Start a garden journal to track how things are going and what animals you spot.

Helping Local Wildlife

Your garden will become a key spot for local animals. Here's how it helps:

Gives food all year round
Offers safe places to nest and hibernate
Provides water
Links up different habitats

To make your garden even better for wildlife:

Keep different layers of plants Make sure water sources are clean and full Let some areas grow wild

Getting Started Now

Want to jump in? Here are some things you can do right away:

1. Start small

Pick a corner of your yard to begin with.

2. Go native

Choose a few native plants to put in first.

3. Add water

Put in a simple birdbath or shallow dish.

4. Make shelter

Stack some logs or brush to create hiding spots.

5. Watch and learn

Spend a few minutes each day observing your garden.

David Mizijewski from the National Wildlife Federation puts it well:

"If you plant it, they will come."

FAQs

How to make a forest garden?

Want to create a forest garden? It's like building a mini-ecosystem in your backyard. Here's how:

Think of your garden in layers:

Layer	What it is	What to plant
Canopy	Big trees	Full-size fruit trees
Low-tree	Smaller trees	Dwarf fruit trees, nut trees
Shrub	Bushes	Currants, berries
Herbaceous	Ground-level plants	Veggies, herbs

Building your forest garden:

1. Plant your big trees first. These are your canopy.

2. Add smaller trees. Think dwarf fruit trees or nut trees.

3. Put in some bushes. Currants and berries work great.

4. Fill in the gaps with veggies and herbs.

But here's the thing: a forest garden isn't just about plants. It's about creating a space where nature can thrive. As Irish Garden Designer Mary Reynolds puts it:

"If we invite Nature to express her true self in these spaces and then work to heal the land and bring it back into balance, something magical happens."

Want to make your garden a wildlife hotspot? Add a water feature. Mix up the habitats. Use native plants. The Wildlife Trusts says:

"With an estimated 24 million gardens in the UK, the way they are cared for can make a big difference to the natural world."

So, ready to start your forest garden? It's not just gardening - it's creating your own little slice of nature.