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Backyard Conservation Backyard Conserva tio n Bringing Conservation From the Countryside to Your Backyard A cooperative project of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service National Association of Conservation Districts Wildlife Habitat Council National Audubon Society INTRODUCTION From the countryside to your backyard A tradition of caring for our natural resources armers and ranchers, and many home - work on it. Most of that land, 1.4 billion owners, are making progress in natural acres, is managed by farmers and ranchers. Fresource protection. You can join their More than 92 million acres of land—an area conservation tradition, right in your own the size of California—is privately developed backyard. and much of it is tended by homeowners. t l There are nearly 2 billion acres of land in the Farmers and ranchers use conservation plans u a e b conterminous United States. About 70 per - to help them apply practices that meet their m a h c r cent of that land is privately owned and its production objectives and protect soil, water, A m i J care is in the hands of those who live and air, plant, and animal resources. You may want to develop a plan for your own backyard to help you apply conservation measures that fit your needs. Or maybe, for now, you’d like to try just a few of the activities in this book. We hope you’ll enjoy these activities that bring beauty and diversity to your yard— whether your “yard” is measured in acres, feet, or flower pots. We know you’ll feel good about improving the environment and join - ing the conservation tradition of America’s farmers and ranchers. t l u a r e e b n f m p a e h o c r H A n h m i o J J 2 A D S U , s t t e B n n y L A D S U , s t t e B n n y L s d r a w d E a n a l A PREVIOUS PAGE (top) Contour stripcropping; (bottom right) Fledgling American Robin; (bottom left) Water and plants to attract but - terflies; (top left) Water lily. THIS PAGE (top) Constructed wetland with landscaping; (right) Purple prairie coneflowers; (bottom left) Finished compost; (center left) A Atala hairstreak butterfly. D S U , s t t e B n n y L Lynn Betts, USDA 3 CONTENTS What’s in this book n this publication, you’ll landscaper, garden club, or see practices used to any of the organizations Iconserve and improve listed in the back of this natural resources on agri - book. cultural land across the country. You’ll see how you can use similar practices in your own backyard to help improve the environment, help wildlife, and in many cases, make the area more attractive and enjoyable. Most backyard conserva - tion practices are easy to put in place. Tips and high - lights are given here, but for more information, or for help in developing your n o s n backyard plan, you may u M m want to consult a local o T © This book highlights 10 conservation activities, adapted from farms 1 2 3 and ranches, Tree planting Wildlife habitat Backyard pond that can be Page 6 Page 8 Page 14 used in your backyard. PLUS… “Quick Tips” 7 8 9 Nutrient Terracing Water management Page 22 conservation Page 21 Page 23 4 PREVIOUS PAGE (top left) Cedar Waxwing; (top center) Backyard pond and water- loving plants. THIS PAGE (right) Contour stripcropping. On the farm Tim McCabe, USDA t l u a e b Conservation efforts m a h c r A by many farmers and m i J ranchers help keep the air clean; maintain good-quality water for drinking, recreation, and fish and wildlife; provide homes for wildlife; ensure healthy soil; and sus - tain a diversity of 4 5 6 plants. These benefits help people, wildlife, Backyard Composting Mulching and the environment. wetland Page 18 Page 20 Page 16 Numerous Federal and State conservation EVERYBODY programs are aimed at HAS A natural resource pro - BACKYARD tection and sustain - Page 26 ability. Many provide educational, technical, and financial assis - 10 tance to help farmers Pest consider and imple - management ment conservation Page 24 practices. 5 1 TREE PLANTING Trees add beauty and so much more. In your backyard rees in your backyard can be home to many different types of A D S U wildlife. Trees also can reduce your heating and cooling costs, help , s t t e B clean the air, add beauty and color, provide shelter from the wind n T n y L and the sun, and add value to your home. Choosing a tree Choose a tree that will pro - vide enjoyment for you, fits your landscape, and is not invasive in your geo - graphical area. Take advantage of the abundant references on gardening in local libraries, at univer - sities, arboretums, and parks where trees are identi - fied, and from native plant and gardening clubs, and nurseries. Before you buy, you can find out if a tree is appropriate for your area , how big it will get, how long it will live, its leaf color in the fall, any nuts or fruit it may bear, and the proper planting instructions and care for that species. Make a conscious effort to select trees native to your area . They will live longer, be more tolerant of local weather and soil con - ditions, enhance natural biodiversity in your neigh - borhood, and be more ben - eficial to wildlife than non- native trees. Avoid exotic trees that can invade other areas, crowd out native plants, and harm natural ecosystems. Plant a variety of tree species. For wildlife, t l choose trees and shrubs that u a e b bloom and bear fruit or m a h c r nuts at different times of A m i J the year. 6 PREVIOUS PAGE (top) Farmstead windbreak; (bottom left) A restful, sooth - ing place among the trees; (top left) Enjoying the backyard. THIS PAGE A (top left) Northern Cardinal D S U , nest; (top right) Twine will be s t t e B removed before planting; n n y L (bottom left) Field windbreak. n i k s E . B d r a w o H Planting a tree A properly planted and maintained tree will grow much faster and live much longer than one that is incorrectly planted. Early spring, before bud break, is a good time to plant most trees. Trees may also be planted in the early fall if local site conditions will allow roots to begin growing. Hot summer weather is hard on newly planted trees and planting in frozen soil during the winter is difficult and tough on tree roots. Lynn Betts, USDA Be sure to carefully follow the planting instructions that come with your tree. If specific instructions are not available, follow these tips: ■ Dig a hole twice as wide as and guide the shortened roots ■ Form a temporary water Early maintenance and slightly shallower than downward and outward. Root basin around the base of the For the first year or two, espe - the root ball. Roughen the tips die quickly when exposed tree to encourage water cially after a week or so of very sides and bottom of the hole to light and air, so don’t waste penetration, and water hot or dry weather, watch with a pick or shovel so that time. thoroughly after planting. your trees closely for roots can penetrate the soil. ■ Lift the tree by the root A tree with a dry root ball signs of moisture stress. If ■ With a potted tree, gently ball, not the trunk, and place cannot absorb water; if the you see leaf wilting or hard, remove the tree by cutting the root ball in the hole. root ball is extremely dry, caked soil, water the trees away the container. With Leave the top of the root ball allow water to trickle into the well and slowly enough so the trees wrapped in plastic or (where the roots end and the soil by placing the hose at the water soaks in rather than runs burlap, remove the string or trunk begins) 1/2 to 1 inch trunk of the tree. off. This will encourage wire that holds the wrapping above the surrounding soil, ■ Mulch around the tree. A deep root growth. Keep the to the root crown. Also, making sure not to cover it 3-foot diameter circle of area under the trees mulched remove the wrapping before unless roots are exposed. As mulch not exceeding 4 inches and free of other plants. Until planting. you add soil to fill in around in depth is common. the trees are deeply rooted, ■ Gently separate circling the tree, lightly tamp the soil grasses and other plants may roots on the root ball. Cleanly to collapse air pockets, or add take up moisture before the cut exceptionally long roots, water to help settle the soil. trees can get their share. On the farm Windbreaks and tree plantings slow the wind and provide shelter and food for wildlife. Trees can shelter livestock and crops; they are used as barriers to slow winds that blow across large cropped fields and through farmsteads. An established wind - break slows wind on its downwind side for a distance of 10 times the height of the trees. Farmstead and field windbreaks and tree plantings are key components of a A D S conservation system. They also improve air quality by capturing dust. Planting a mix U , s t t e B of tree species helps prevent total losses to disease and severe weather; it also pro - n n y L vides food, nesting areas, and cover for a variety of wildlife.
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