Ozarks Gardener
Gives Back to Nature

Despite the abundance of wildlife in Gail Rowley's garden, she is still able to grow plenty of vegetables, including peas, spinach, carrots, garlic, herbs, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

In fact, Gail is so grateful for her good fortune that she decided to make her garden into a sanctuary -- not just for her family and friends, but also for the songbirds, game birds, deer and other wildlife. All of her plants are chosen to provide food and cover for wildlife as well as for beauty.

A butterfly is drawn to a coneflower blossom.

Having all this wildlife hasn't hurt the productivity of Gail's vegetable garden. "We grow peas, spinach, carrots, garlic, herbs, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers" -- enough to feed her family and still put some up for later. Gail believes that the thriving population of insect-eating birds, toads and beneficial insects keeps pests in check, and makes her garden easy to tend.

"My garden rewards me in more ways than I ever imagined," Gail says. "Gardens, and the life they encourage, teach us all. Humans thrive on relating to nature, and to the natural wonders that flourish all around them. Our children grow healthier when they have a chance to be around gardens."

Congratulations, Gail, for doing your part to make the world a better place -- one garden at a time!