Garden Toad House
You can welcome many creatures into your garden space with the addition of different elements. Birdbaths and birdseed feeders can encourage feathered friends into your yard. Special flowers and plants can be used in your garden to attract butterflies. And although not many people think of it, attracting toads with a garden toad house is a great way to get nature into your garden.
Garden toad houses are a fun addition to any garden, and can be especially exciting for young children. Garden toad houses can be as simple as digging a 4 to 6 inch hole in the ground, and partially covering the opening with a flat stone or board.
You can also construct a garden toad house from a terra cotta pot turned on its head. This makes a perfect garden toad house because it allows the toads to burrow into the moist dirt below. If you use a pot for your garden toad house, make sure to break an opening in the side to allow the toad to get in and out. For an American Toad, leave an opening in the garden toad house of 3 to 4 inches wide.
No matter what type of garden toad house you choose, make sure to have two entrances. It is important to allow your toad a way to escape if a predator corners it. Also, make sure you leave water for the toad. This can be provided by a water feature in your garden, or a shallow pan with an inch of water placed in the garden toad house.
Place your garden toad house underneath vegetation in your yard. Make sure the location of the garden toad house will be cool in the summer months to provide a refuge for toads. It is important to keep the area around and under the garden toad house moist. A drip hose or regular watering will make toads feel welcome.
