Hi. I have a backyard close to pond. I want to do edible gardening in raised bed. Will I see more snakes? Please help

If your garden attracts little rodents, snakes might show up to help control the invasion, but nothing you plant is likely to interest them.

I wouldn't worry about it. Nature is nature. Nice living by a pond!

I'd love to have snakes in my garden!

Any tips on what might attract rodents?? I am just a little worried since my daughter will be playing in the backyard

Small mammals, snakes, insects, and birds are simply part of nature. Most of these are more afraid of us than we are of them. I wouldn't worry about it. I don't know where you live (please update your public profile @Newgarderner), but I have a feeling it is not in the "wilds".

Don't know where you are located, but if there is a possibility of a venomous snake in your area,
you should educate (even if not) your daughter about snakes. Non-venomous snakes can still bite
and wounds get infected, etc., so respecting nature and its creatures is your best bet. Keep the
area as clean and weed-free as possible so that a snake can be spotted and tell her never to put
her hand where she cannot see!

Hope your garden thrives and you have a snake-free summer!

Teach your child not to handle animals and to come get you. I always picked up critters to show my kids, but we never did have venomous snakes in our yard. We had a pond close by too but were in a subdivision. You should teach your kids how to ID the venomous snakes in your area (if she is old enough). Snakes will not be attracted to your garden for the food. They may be attracted for rodents (moles) or just to hide in the bushes ect. I had a large black snake that lived in a shrub one summer. He did not like being 'watered' and would come out when he seen me coming w the hose. He would lay there until I was done and then go back in! I LOVED him because he ate all my moles. I did not realize this until some poor excuse for a man killed it, (he was 'scared' of it) a hate crime of course. Then the moles took over shortly after.


Also kids love turtles, and you are most likely to have problems with that. I cannot stress this enough. Kids think turtles are neat and will try to pick them up. I never had any IDEA how fast and strong snapping turtles are. They will be attracted to your garden, they like the vittles. I used to have turtles come to eat cantaloupe.

Click on 3:40 (that is the turtle part)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

I thought this turtle was amazing!
Albeit I quite don't think you will have a turtle nearly of this size show up in your yard, they can still do alot of damage especially to a small child.

Soooo I agree with Angie, NEVER put your hand where you cannot see.

I've grown edibles for years in my back yard, but never saw many snakes until I started putting out my birdfeeders. The birds spill a lot of seeds on the ground, which attracts mice and rats at night - which in turn attracts the snakes. I'm lucky, my snakes are non-venomous Southern black racers so far. They're big, fast and beautiful and also very timid so as soon as any person, or even my cat comes out they vanish.

The pond itself is attractive to snakes as they also hunt frogs and maybe even birds that are in or near the pond. So, as Angie says, better to educate your child about the snakes in any case. They are there, and could certainly come to your garden but planting the garden shouldn't attract them.

Thanks a lot for your response. It certainly gives me a bit of relief. I can start my edible garden!! I live Atlanta GA. I know Atlanta has a lot of snakes

Oh, yes! Georgia has at least a couple of venomous snakes: copperheads and water moccasins, so be safe!
Water moccasins love water, but I'm not sure they make it as far inland as Atlanta, usually preferring swampy
areas near the coast here in NC. Education, education! Your pond will offer a wonderful opportunity to educate
your daughter on wildlife and the pleasures and dangers it affords.

I don't think your garden will attract snakes. But you do live in an area with snakes. You never know where they will pop up. And usually, they won't be hiding in the bushes, they will be taking a sun bath on your concrete/asphalt/gravel path.

But the rule is, never put your hands or feet where your eyes haven't been first. I understand that copperheads are a little more aggressive than our west coast rattlers and sidewinders.

Daisy

We have water moccasin here in MO.