Support Winter Wildlife with Smart Landscaping Tips
- Bath Landscape
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Colorado is home to a stunning range of unique wildlife, including birds, rabbits, squirrels, and a myriad of helpful insects, such as pollinators. With a bit of planning and thoughtfulness, it’s simple to transform your yard or garden into a haven for wildlife in the winter, and year-round! Thoughtful landscaping and planting design cultivate habitats during all four seasons, including cold and brutal winters.
Not only does landscaping for wildlife habitats support local ecosystems, but these practices also increase your landscaping’s visual appeal year-round. Northern Colorado’s uniquely cold, elevated, and arid climate requires specialized planning to create winter wildlife habitats. Read on for tips from our native Northern Colorado landscaping experts.
Landscape with Native Trees and Shrubs for Winter Habitat
One of the many benefits of native landscaping in northern Colorado is its ability to effectively feed and shelter local wildlife. Planting native trees and shrubs, especially ones that bear fruit or seeds, is a powerful way to support your local bird and animal population. Here are our top choices for winter wildlife.
Fort Collins Best Native Choices:
Hackberry
Three-leaf sumac
Plant Strategically:
Groups of 3-5 shrubs
Position on the north or western sides of your yard
Layer heights for more coverage
Leave seeds/branches intact until spring
Design Wildlife-Friendly Brush and Log Piles
Shelter during winter is essential for all living creatures. Colorado’s animals find warmth in underbrush, leave piles, nests, dens, and burrows. You can craft cozy critter condos with strategically placed brush and log piles at the back end and edges of your property.
How to construct:
Start with a base layer of larger logs (6-12” diameter with 6” gaps between
Crisscross the remaining logs in layers for stability
The ideal size is approximately 4-5 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide
Place in the yard in an out-of-the-way spot in the south of your yard
Potential residents:
Cottontail rabbits and voles during snowstorms
Sparrows and juncos can forage through leaf litter
Native bees, ladybugs, and lacewings overwinter in bark crevices
Chickadees and nuthatches eat insect eggs year-round
Leave Leaves: Let Natural Debris Feed the Ecosystem
Let the leaves fall where they may. “Leaf litter” is the foundation of a healthy, happy winter wildlife habitat!
Why leaf matter is essential:
Provides insulation, a steadily warmer temperature
Butterfly caterpillars and native bees will nest
Feeds earthworms, beetles, and spiders that control pest insects
Decomposing leaves support mycorrhizal fungi that help plants access nutrients
How to leave leaf litter:
Mulch with leaf litter
Rake out of high traffic areas and leave in out-of-the-way areas
Create 2-3 inch layers
Keep high-traffic and the visible regions clear
Incorporate Water Features That Stay Active in Winter
Water scarcity is Fort Collins wildlife’s biggest winter challenge.
Active or heated birdbath essentials:
Use thermostatically controlled heaters (50-75 watts)
Choose stone, ceramic, or heavy plastic baths, but avoid metal, as it won’t retain heat.
Keep about 1-3 inches of water at maximum during the winter
Position 15-20 feet from dense shrubs for predator escape routes
Clean every week to prevent infections and disease
Alternatively, add an immersion heater to your normal birdbath.
Potential visitors:
Year-round denizens like nuthatches, juncos, woodpeckers, and chickadees.
Winter visitors: pine siskins, evening grosbeaks
Build Birdhouses, Bat Boxes, and Insect Hotels
Support our essential and smaller wildlife with birdhouses, bat boxes, and insect hotels. All of these flying friends play a crucial role in our ecosystem, serving as pollinators, regulating insect populations, and providing food for other animals. Insects are especially vital to our world and need homes during the winter to prepare for the spring nestling season.
Birdhouse specs for Fort Collins:
Chickadees/nuthatches: 1-⅛ hole, 8-10” deep, 5-15 feet high, facing east
Western bluebirds: 1 9/16” hole, 4-6 feet high in open areas
Untreated cedar or pine is ideal; make sure to include ventilation and drainage holes
Install November-February while birds are scouting for spring territory
Bat boxes:
Mount 12-15 feet high on south/southeast-facing walls
Dark colors absorb heat, essential for Colorado’s cool nights
It may take a few years to attract residents
Insect hotels:
Bundle hollow stems 6-8” deep.
Face south/southeast for morning sun
Install under eaves to prevent rain intrusion
Use Mulch and Compost to Support Soil Life
Healthy soil supports the entire food web that wildlife depends on for nourishment. Mulch is not only important for keeping your plants and soil insulated in the winter; it also helps preserve life within the soil to keep nutrients alive.
Winter mulch is essential:
Ground beetles, spiders, and earthworms overwinter in the top soil layers
Mulch insulates beneficial organisms through temperature swings
Decomposers are food for shrews, small birds, and reptiles
Best choices for Fort Collins:
Shredded hardwood bark: 2-3 inch layer, breaks down slowly
Arborists' wood chips: Free from tree services, excellent for shrub beds
Shredded leaves: Free, higher nutrient value
Avoid dyed mulches and landscape fabric since they deter beneficial insects.
Tips for Application:
Apply a 2-4 inch layer in November after the ground freezes
Keep 3-4 inches away from plant stems
Top-dress with ½-1 inch compost first, then mulch on top
Native Landscaping Services from Bath Landscape & Irrigation
We’ve served Northern Colorado for 60+ years with our sustainable landscaping practices.
Services we provide:
Seasonal maintenance plans tailored to wildlife-friendly practices
Visit Bath Garden Center and Nursery in Fort Collins or give us a call to schedule your consultation. We’d love to design your customized, integrated wildlife features & transform your yard into a winter wildlife sanctuary.