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Botany, Sustainability, and Self-Sufficiency - oh my!
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It's easy to overlook the importance of wildlife when setting up your greenhouse.
When my greenhouse was brand new, I was focused solely on maximizing plant growth within the structure. I kind of forgot that in order to have a balanced ecosystem, I needed more than my own effort. I needed to invite the ecosystem into this new enclosed space.
Luckily, overtime snakes, beetles, and worms started to make the greenhouse their home. I saw the power of welcoming wildlife into this enclosed space. These creatures enriched the greenhouse in ways I hadn't anticipated.
So now, I make sure to take steps to make them feel as welcome as possible here.
There have been many times since making this change that I’ve stepped into my greenhouse to find a couple of birds eating slugs around my crops. Even in the middle of winter!
I delight in seeing spiders and snakes (even the huge but harmless yellow garden spider) because I know that they are helping control pests naturally.
How would your home greenhouse change if it was filled not just with healthy plants, but also garden guardians as well?
In this article, I’ll share the right knowledge and resources for you to easily be able to attract beneficial wildlife into your greenhouse.
As someone who is constantly fighting a battle against invasive slugs, I let out a little cheer every time I see a bird in my garden.
Given their difficulty accessing the greenhouse, making it inviting is crucial.
I noticed birds perching on the cord that I use to tie up my tomatoes, so I decided to leave those up year-round for them to use. In the absence of trees or sturdy branches, these cords are essential for encouraging bird visits.
A small gap between the base of the side wall and the ground serves as a bird entrance, which I intentionally leave open.
I noticed that a lot more birds came into my greenhouse the year I experimentally planted some amaranth in there. I let some grow and set seed each year so that the birds have a reason to come inside. It’s like a self-growing bird feeder!
It seems counter-intuitive, but it’s also important to leave some pests behind so that the birds associate your greenhouse with a great spot to find food.
If the area is completely free of slugs, cabbage looper caterpillars, or even aphids, the birds likely will favor another location where they can find these protein-rich snacks.
→ Fun Fact: Did you know that 96% of land-based birds in North America need invertebrates, like insects to be a part of their diet? Even if this need is seasonal or developmental, insects are essential to help their growth and energy (American Bird Conservancy).
These two beetle species play a similar role as birds. They patrol the soil surface, feeding on slugs and other pests, making my gardening life infinitely easier.
Here’s how to get beneficial beetles in your greenhouse:
One nice thing about inviting wildlife into your garden is that they don't expect a pristine, perfect space. In fact, you’ll attract more wildlife if it’s a little messy with some overgrown spots!
Beetles prefer to have protected spots for live. They really like grassy areas (known as “beetle bumps”), but if keeping some grass in your greenhouse sounds a bit extreme, you can also keep a couple of logs, a small pile or rocks, or even a few terracotta pots here and there in order to give them their own home.
As if you needed another reason to work with organic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides - beetles thrive in environments free from these disruptive chemicals.
Spiders have become a crucial part of my undercover growing system. I used to shy away from them (okay to be honest maybe I still get startled by the large yellow garden spiders).
Now, I understand their role as free pest control agents. Their webs catch various insects that can harm harvests, like cucumber beetles, cabbage moths, or thrips.
Invite spiders into your greenhouse with these tips:
Kind of like with birds, while this may sound against your interests as a gardener, you want to keep some garden pests around to serve as a source of food for your resident greenhouse spiders.
I learned from a study published in 2024 that spiders are attracted to certain plants that have something called “extrafloral nectaries.”
These are like tiny “nectar factories” that are not on the flower of the plant but instead on the leaves, stems, or even the base of flower buds.
This feature evolved to attract spiders, who then protect them from herbivorous insects.
Plants with extrafloral nectaries that are garden favorites include:
(K.H. Keeler, Porturas, L.D, and Weber, M.G. World list of plants with extrafloral nectaries. www.extrafloralnectaries.org. [Dec 24, 2024].)
Something that often gets overlooked is the fact that many spiders overwinter. This means they need a warm and cozy spot to live during the colder months.
Xerces Society recommends “leaving the leaves” to create a spider habitat, which also benefits pollinators. In your own greenhouse, you can make small piles of autumn leaves, or chop and drop your late summer and fall crops. Any kind of organic mulch will help with this, too
I was initially surprised to find a small garter snake in my hoop house. Now, each year it comes back to the same spot - a hole in the dirt under the frame.
While some people might be alarmed, I learned to appreciate its presence.
Snakes can be beneficial, taking care of slugs and other small pests. They tend to stay out of sight and do their job quietly, which is perfect for maintaining a harmonious environment.
Here’s how I keep my resident garter snake happy:
When I first noticed the hole along the edge of my greenhouse, right under the wooden framing on the east-facing end, I made a mental note to fix it.
But then, I noticed a garter snake exiting this area after I had watered some of my tomatoes inside. These small snakes are welcome friends for a gardener, so I decided to leave the hole in the ground for the snake.
This decision has benefited me each year since - the snake returns like clockwork every spring as the greenhouse warms up.
It’s interesting that this location home makes it easy to come and go, and is also sheltered and protected by the piece of wood that’s a part of the framing.
The National Park Service gives more information about this - garter snakes often live under rocks or building foundations!
My bee watering station is kept on the ground near this garter snake hole, and I try to keep the area around its home moist during the hotter days of summer.
The National Park Service notes that garter snakes are attracted to areas that have water access. Supplementing your snake’s habitat is essential in a greenhouse where drip irrigation is often installed, so there aren’t any puddles or anything forming.
Who doesn't love a ladybug? They're cute and hungry, with their larvae happily jumping on aphid patrol. To attract them, I've started planting dill and fennel, which seem to be their favorites.
Boost your greenhouse ladybug population with these tips:
To naturally attract these beloved allies, plant their favorite herbs like dill, cilantro, and fennel. These plants provide food and a suitable habitat for both the larvae and adult ladybugs.
I can almost always guarantee seeing a ladybug or two on my fennel flowers and carrot flower that I let go to seed.
Ladybugs prefer a moist environment, so lightly misting your carrot family plants can encourage them to stick around.
Ladybugs (both adults and their larvae) will need to have a food source available to them in order to keep them around in your greenhouse. If you see a few aphids, watch and observe for a day or two before spraying them off.
Beneath the surface, worms silently improve soil structure and fertility.
Microbes, although unseen, play an equally vital role. They break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil.
These two creatures, while usually not seen as wildlife, may not fend off pests like the others on my list. But the way that they benefit plants by building soil health is essential.
Here’s how to tend to the worm and microbe population in your greenhouse:
I encourage worms by adding plenty of compost and mulch, creating an environment where they thrive.
By using organic practices and avoiding chemical pesticides, I nurture the delicate microbial community, ensuring my plants have access to the nutrients they need.
Wildlife Surveys can help you understand what is working best inside your greenhouse.
Wildlife actively helps my greenhouse to be a healthier and more robust growing space. Watching birds perch on tomato supports, seeing a ladybug nestled on a carrot flower, or observing a spider web glistening in the morning dew—all these moments enrich my gardening experience.
To bring more wildlife into your greenhouse, I encourage you to start small, observe the changes, and adapt as needed.
You’ll soon see that the benefits extend beyond pest control. Collaborating with your local animals makes a dynamic environment where your plants and the surrounding wildlife can flourish together.
Check out my buying guide for small greenhouse kits perfect for home gardens
