I was also thinking about a few things to make the garden seem more alive.
-Birds, could also help eat the annoying larvae. They could also have eggs for whatever consumable, craftable, currency reason.
-Venus fly traps that can be harvested and grown for base protection.
-Predator(s) at night that specifically look for you if you aren't in-doors.
-Slugs, snails, leeches, earthworms for the wetlands area.
-Bird eating spiders (if they put birds in the game)
-Snakes or garden snakes
If they introduce access to the HOUSE I think that would be really cool. I'm not sure where the story will lead but maybe walking human(s) inside, pets, rats, centipedes in the basement?