Why You Want Birds in Your Organic Garden (And How to Attract Them)

Song thrush with a snail. Flickr

Birds are important in an organic garden. No matter where you live, bird species play a vital role. They help us in our gardens in a wide range of different ways. So let's take a look at why we want birds in our organic gardens, and how we can make sure they visit and stay there throughout the year.

How Birds Help In An Organic Garden
One of the reasons that we want birds in our gardens is simply to delight us. Watching the birds and listening to their song can be hugely relaxing. It can help us to feel more connected to the natural world. It can also teach us a lot about it. But birds can also help us in an organic garden in a range of ways. They will:

Help Us To Control Pests
Many birds eat a variety of different pests and help to keep their numbers in check. Organic pest control is all about finding natural methods to keep the ecosystem in balance. Attracting birds can help keep pest numbers down without resorting to harmful chemicals.

Pollinate a Number of Plants
Certain birds, like hummingbirds for example, sip nectar from flowers and so are efficient pollinators. They can help keep our gardens blooming.

Help Us to Control Weeds
Some birds, such as finches and sparrows for example, help us by eating large numbers of weed seeds before they germinate. They can help us keep out gardens freer of unwanted plants.

Spread Seeds & Add Fertility
But birds also play a more general role in promoting and aiding good dispersal of seed. By transporting seeds, they help to promote good levels of biodiversity. And when they – deposit – those seeds, they also add fertility to the soil.

How to Attract Birds To Your Garden
Birds are clearly an important part of any garden ecosystem. They help us as gardeners. They are also part of the food chain and may themselves be a food source for other important garden wildlife So how to we attract birds to our gardens?


Some important steps that we can take include:

• Plant plenty of native, wildlife-friendly plants. Be sure to include species that birds can use for food. Make sure there are plenty of seeds, berries and other things for them to eat.
• Provide extra food in bird feeders or on bird tables during times of the year when wild foods are less available.
• Make sure that there is a pond or other water source in the garden, so birds can drink and bathe.
• Give birds plenty of vegetation cover, and create places where they can perch, hide and nest. Consider adding some nesting boxes that are suitable for different native birds to use.

If you create a beautiful and productive, wildlife-friendly organic garden, the birds will come. Make sure you welcome them in so you can benefit from their free gardening services for years to come.