Designing a Fall Garden that’s Friendly to Kentucky Wildlife

Fall is such a fantastic time to spruce up your garden and make it a welcoming space for all kinds of local wildlife, from pollinators and fireflies to our shelled friends like turtles. By using native Kentucky plants, you’re not just adding beauty—you’re also giving local critters exactly what they need to thrive as they prepare for the cooler months. So, let’s dig into some ideas for creating a garden that supports our feathered, furry, and buzzing neighbors.

1. Pick Pollinator-Friendly Native Flowers for Late Fall Blooms

Even as the weather cools, there are plenty of pollinators still out and about, looking for those last bursts of color and nectar. Choosing native flowers that bloom in the fall is a wonderful way to provide them with the resources they need to keep going. Here are a few easy options to add to your garden:

• New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): This purple beauty is a butterfly magnet and looks stunning paired with other fall flowers.

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Goldenrod often gets a bad rap, but it’s actually a super-important food source for migrating butterflies and bees.

• Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana): With its tall spikes of pinkish-purple flowers, this one draws in hummingbirds and a variety of bees.

These native beauties not only keep your garden looking lively, but they also help out the bees, butterflies, and other insects we rely on to keep our gardens and food systems thriving.

2. Make Your Garden Turtle-Friendly

Turtles might not be the first creature that comes to mind when planning a fall garden, but these little guys are always looking for a safe, cozy spot to settle in. If you’d like to give them a hand, consider adding a few of these simple features:

• Leaf Piles and Brush Shelters: Turtles love hiding in natural shelters like leaf piles or a small stack of brush. Plus, these spots make perfect winter hideouts.

• Low-Growing Native Groundcovers: Try planting Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) or Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) to create shady areas where turtles can stay cool and safe.

• Create a Shallow Water Feature: A small pond or shallow water dish gives turtles a place to drink and cool off. Just make sure they can easily climb in and out!

Adding these small touches makes your garden a place where turtles can visit and thrive.

3. Attract Fireflies with Native Grasses and Low Lights

Remember those magical summer nights filled with the flickering lights of fireflies? It’s becoming a rarer sight due to habitat loss and increased outdoor lighting. But the good news is, a few changes to your garden can help bring back the glow:

• Grow Native Grasses: Fireflies love laying eggs in tall, moist grasses, so consider planting options like Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).

• Limit Outdoor Lights: Fireflies use their bioluminescence to find mates, so try keeping outdoor lighting to a minimum or switching to softer amber lights that won’t interfere.

By adding these elements, you’ll be giving fireflies a safe space to sparkle and shine again.

4. Use Native Shrubs and Trees to Support Local Wildlife Year-Round

If you really want to make a big impact, add a few native shrubs and trees to your garden plan. They’re like the all-inclusive resorts of the wildlife world, offering food, shelter, and nesting spots for a variety of animals. A few top picks for Kentucky include:

• American Hazelnut (Corylus americana): This small shrub produces edible nuts for birds and small mammals—plus, it’s easy to grow!

• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin): Known for its yellow fall foliage, it’s a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly and has berries that birds can’t resist.

• Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): This pretty little tree has gorgeous pink flowers in spring and provides cover for small birds.

By adding a mix of native trees and shrubs, you’ll create a landscape that supports local wildlife throughout the seasons.

5. Leave Some Leaf Litter for Overwintering Insects

Before you break out the rake and clear away every leaf in your garden, remember that fallen leaves are a natural habitat for lots of beneficial insects. Ladybugs, lacewings, and even some solitary bees hunker down in leaf litter over winter. Here’s how to make your garden a winter sanctuary:

• Skip the Leaf Blower: Instead, leave leaf litter in garden beds or corners where it won’t blow away. It’s like a free, cozy blanket for insects!

• Add Brush Piles and Hollow Stems: Leave a few perennial stems standing over winter. These spots make perfect overwintering sites for solitary bees.

Giving insects a little space to ride out the cold can have a big impact when spring rolls around.

Ready to Transform Your Fall Garden?

Creating an eco-friendly, animal-friendly garden is all about small choices that make a big difference. Whether it’s adding native flowers to attract pollinators, creating hiding spots for turtles, or making your space firefly-friendly, your garden can become a thriving wildlife sanctuary that you and your animal neighbors enjoy all season long.

Want more tips or need help planning your fall garden? Head over to Pet & Plant Pal’s blog for more ideas, or reach out to see how we can make your garden dreams come to life!