A small wooden barrel or even a plastic tub brings life to a colony of water lilies, complete with small fish or maybe a frog or two. Once you see how water attracts wildlife, you find yourself experimenting with several containers to create a wildlife sanctuary right at home. Even a simple, shallow birdbath entertains apartment residents with reflections and sounds previously unknown on a terrace or balcony. Hedges are living fences that give you privacy without an artificial structure. Large shrubbery plantings also screen out objectionable views and sounds.
Songbirds find living fences and shrub beds enticing homes.
Patios and decks provide another alternative for land previously done in turf grass. These outdoor living rooms are fun and not too difficult to construct or install. Some gardeners convert their lawn area to trees, replacing an open lawn with the vertical strength of a forest in the making. This option requires careful selection of appropriate trees. Many options exist that can expand gardening activities beyond your residence.