habitat

pond-edge guild

effort: a season

the wettest edge is the busiest: layer the margin and the wildlife staffs itself.

grade a pond edge from open water through marsh to damp bank, and plant each step — the shallow shelf for emergents, the margin for moisture lovers, the bank for shrubs that overhang and shade. amphibians, dragonflies, and birds arrive within a season and take over pest patrol for the whole garden.