Gardening with wildlife in the city

Are you experiencing garden visits from wildlife visitors—four-legged, two-legged and/or winged?

City gardeners may see more species as wildlife return to improved urban habitats with fewer pollutants, cleaner lakes—and larger vegetable gardens! Co-existing with them involves how to balance the delight we feel in seeing a black squirrel or blue jay with our dismay at their treatment of cucumber vines or blueberry bushes.

September’s Longfellow Garden Club speaker is Erica Hoaglund, the DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Specialist who works throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Native species such as coyotes, swans, gopher snakes, and bald eagles (a pair have nested in Longfellow for several years) are re-occupying park and park reserve areas, a sign of healthier environments as well as their ability to adapt.

Erica knows these critters and their habits, and she also gardens, so she will bring good ideas about attracting wildlife—and ways to discourage some pests!

The group will meet at 7pm, Wed., Sept. 14, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3207 37th Ave. S. Meetings are free and open to everyone. More at: www.facebook.com/LongfellowGardenClub or go to sites.google.com/site/longfellowgardenclubminnesota.