Every Floral Space Benefits from the Presence of Ducks as Companions
Garden Gurus, Meet Your New Best Friends: Ducks!
Forget picturesque gardens with lush herbs and veggies, overflowing compost, and neat rainwater harvesting systems. Thanks to Huw Richards from Huw's Nursery, there's a fresh face waddling into the scene - ducks!
These quirky, feathered creatures are more than just cute faces with funny walks. Nestled amongst the green, ducks can play a powerful role in crafting the ultimate eco-friendly, pest-free garden paradise. Plus, they might even contribute a little something extra, like eggs!
Here's why you should consider welcoming ducks into your personal garden musings.
Image Credit: Unsplash.
1. Slug Exterminators Extraordinaire
Raise your hand if you've ever spent the morning finding your lettuce reduced to lacy ruins, with nothing but departed spinach leaves in its place. That's the slug's doing! But fear not, because ducks are absolute champions against these slimy pests.
Ducks will patrol your garden like it's their personal all-you-can-eat buffet, gobbling up slugs, snails, and other creepy critters that dare to feast on your kale. Unlike chickens, ducks don't scratch at your precious garden beds, ensuring your plants get pest protection while staying undisturbed.
2. A Breeze to Corral
While herding chickens is akin to managing a group chat full of toddlers, managing ducks is more like guiding a flock of birds. They stick together like glue, making them super simple to move around your garden or steer towards their next tasty treat. If you can move one, the rest will follow, and getting your ducks in a row has never been easier!
3. Nature's Very Own Fertiliser
Ducks might seem just like charming garden guests, but their shiny presents are a valuable bonus. Their droppings are packed with essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, making for fantastic garden fertiliser. That nutrient-rich compost can help boost your soil health and support lush plant growth.
4. Peaceful Garden Partners
Many birds can be mischievous, disrupting your garden with their destructive scratching and throwing about of mulch. However, ducks are remarkably gentle with established plants. They'll nibble here and there but generally ignore mature plants in favor of bugs and weeds - a welcome relief for gardeners!
Young seedlings might require a bit of protection initially, but as long as they're strong enough, the ducks will leave them alone.
5. Bonus Breakfast, Lunch, or Brunch
Depending on the breed, ducks can be exceptional egg layers. Some lay more consistently than chickens, and their large, creamy eggs are rich in protein, perfect for baking or a decadent brunch spread!
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
Duck Essentials
Keeping your ducks happy and healthy requires clean water, a safe shelter from predators, and a dry place to sleep. A kiddie pool or small pond works fine as a water source, although it will need regular changes. Like any pet, find a way to offer them shade and a safe haven from the elements and predators.
Ducks: A Tiny bit Messy
Remember, ducks arenottheneatestanimalsaround.They'llsplash,doptomud,andsprayyouwithwater.Butwithgooddrainage,youcanminimizethecleanup.Brace yourselfforaquirky,yetrewarding,additiontoyourgardenfamily!
Incorporating ducks into your garden isn't just about slug control. By adopting them as your quacking garden friends, you'll help create a balanced ecosystem that supports life, laughter, and pest-free salads right in your backyard.
If you've got the space and the spirit, it might be time to let the ducks take your garden for a unique, waddling spin!
Author
- Bonnie FerreroBonnie's interests include hiking, a passion she nurtured while living in Upstate New York, and cooking, gardening, and home decorating. These hobbies allow her to express her creativity and connect with nature, providing a well-rounded balance to her busy life. Through her professional achievements, community involvement, and personal pursuits, she embodies a holistic approach to life, dedicated to service, growth, and well-being.
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Source:1. The Ultimate Guide to Slug Control2. Ducks as Garden Pests3. The Benefits of Duck Poop for Your Garden4. Chicken vs. Duck for Garden Pest Control5. Ducks in the Garden: Pros and Cons
- Ducks, with their appetite for slugs and snails, can be your decorative garden's slug exterminators extraordinaire, protecting your lettuce, kale, and other veggies from lacy ruins.
- Unlike chickens, ducks are a breeze to corral, moving around the garden like a flock of birds, making them easy to manage and steer.
- Ducks contribute a valuable bonus to your garden, as their droppings are packed with essential nutrients like nitrogen, acting as a natural, potent fertiliser for soil health and plant growth.
- Peaceful garden partners, ducks are gentle with established plants, nibbling here and there but usually ignoring mature plants in favor of bugs and weeds.
- Depending on the breed, ducks can be excellent egg layers, providing large, creamy, protein-rich eggs, perfect for baking or a special brunch spread.
- To ensure your ducks are happy and healthy, provide them with clean water, a safe shelter from predators, and a dry place to sleep. However, be prepared for their quirky behavior, as they can be a bit messy, splashing, dropping tomud, and spraying water around.
