We keep getting into this topic at various points on the Gardening for Butterflies, Birds, Bees forum which is OT for there. Someone wasn't sure where to post about raccoons and such and other wildlife in their gardens, so we put it there and discussed the fact that we need a forum dedicated to gardening for (or with) wildlife. We already have "Lover of Wildlife" badges, so we're officially requesting that new forum.

just a question here...NOT trying to be a wet blanket. Do folks actually plant things to attract wildlife such as racoons, rabbits, deer etc.? or are they more of a problem? I personally love watching the critters in my yard altho I would be happy with a few less squirrels.

I leave piles of branches spread inconspicuously in the yard for bunny shelters. I plant sunflowers for the chippers and red squirrels.

Some people do try to attract wildlife. We back up to woods so it doesn't matter whether I try or not, I have lots of wildlife. How to live with them or manage them in the yard is the thing.

Question asked and answered. Thank you both for not throwing rocks in my direction I guess I hadn't heard of anyone TRYING to attract such...by planting for them. We have brush piles too for the critters. Lee Anne...I envy you having chippers. I grew up in yankee land and miss those little cuties

thank you for the picture

Well, I really garden and planted to attract backyard songbirds. But planting fruiting shrubs and shrubby areas for the birds means even more racoons here than ever before. Lots of aquirrels too. There just doesn't seem to be any place to discuss the wildlife garden.

And then there is wildlife like frogs and turtles and rabbits and so forth.

I keep my pond more for the turtles and frogs than I do for the fish.

Thanks for posting this! Yes, I'd like this forum! I figure that whatever wildlife a person would like could be covered in a general word like wildlife. Here's one kind...last year the lizards came to my garden and since there was a very bad drought, they needed their own little pool in a sort of protected spot!

Love the little lizard!!

I wasn't even thinking of frogs but I really have tried to attract frogs here. Toads too. I put in three ponds, two 35 gallon, one 350 gallon in hopes of attracting frogs and they are all three a water saurce for the birds and wildlife.

Great shot, Linda. So many things suffer in a drought. I protect and provide as much as I can for my lizards as well.

I wish we had little lizards around here but no way. Never have seen any. Too far north, I guess.

Love the lizards too Linda. AND the chipper photo Lee Anne -- had to look chipper up as I'd never heard them called that before being a southern gal.

I would like this forum also & thanks for requesting it Tee.

I know some will cringe when I say this but attracting snakes is something certain gardeners try to do --- the non poisonous kind anyway.

No snakes here. I figgure that is a good thing.

I like black snakes.

I love my garter snakes!