Tag:

Pollinators

Late-Summer Nectar Plants: Providing Food for Pollinators in Autumn

by Gregory June 2, 2021

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

Late-Summer Nectar for Pollinators

Introduction

As summer draws to a close, many insects are still actively foraging for food. Providing nectar-rich plants in late summer can give these pollinators the energy they need to survive the winter months.

Benefits of Nectar-Rich Plants

Nectar provides insects with energy to fly and build up their reserves for hibernation. By growing nectar-rich plants, you can help pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies survive the cold months.

Best Late-Summer Nectar Plants

Here are some of the best plants to grow for late-summer nectar:

Verbena Bonariensis

Tall, delicate plant with a long flowering season
Attractive to butterflies and moths
Will naturalize all over the garden if left to seed

Hedera Helix (Ivy)

Climbing evergreen that provides nectar and pollen until late November
Holly blue caterpillars feed on ivy leaves
Many insects hibernate in its foliage

Buddleja

Late-flowering shrub that provides nectar when other plants have finished blooming
Attracts bees, moths, and hoverflies

Hebe

Many cultivars flower from late summer to autumn
Attracts bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies, moths, and hoverflies

Sedum (Hylotelephium Spectabile)

Trusty, late-flowering favorite
Pink flowers provide a landing pad for pollinators

Symphyotrichum Novi-Belgii (Michaelmas Daisies)

Named after the autumn equinox
Attracts butterflies, moths, bumblebees, honeybees, and hoverflies

Other Late-Blooming Nectar Sources

Asters
Goldenrod
Zinnias
Sunflowers
Coneflowers

Tips for Encouraging Pollinators

Leave plants standing in autumn to provide shelter for insects and wildlife
Birds will strip seedheads, providing a wonderful show
Avoid using pesticides, which can harm pollinators

Conclusion

By providing nectar-rich plants in late summer, you can help pollinators survive the winter months and continue to play their vital role in our ecosystem. These plants are easy to grow and will add beauty to your garden while supporting these important insects.

Gardening

Spring Garden Cleanup: A Guide to Protecting Pollinators

by Donna April 26, 2021

written by Donna 4 minutes read

When to Spring Clean Your Garden: A Guide to Protecting Pollinators

Introduction

Spring cleaning your garden is an important task, but it’s crucial to do it at the right time and in the right way to protect pollinators like bees and butterflies. These beneficial insects play a vital role in our ecosystem, and cleaning up too early can harm them.

Why Spring Cleaning is Important

Spring cleaning your garden removes dead plant material and debris that can harbor pests and diseases. It also allows new growth to emerge and thrive. However, if you clean up too early in the fall, you risk destroying the habitat of pollinators that overwinter in these materials.

Benefits of Waiting to Clean Up

Waiting to clean up your garden until spring provides several benefits for pollinators:

Protects overwintering pollinators: Many pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, spend the winter in dead plant material. Cleaning up too early can destroy their shelter and expose them to the elements.
Promotes microbial growth: Dead plant material supports the growth of beneficial microbes, which are important for soil health and provide food for insects.
Supports the food chain: Microbes and insects attract birds and other animals, supporting the overall garden ecosystem.

When to Start Spring Cleaning

The best time to start spring cleaning your garden is when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). This ensures that most pollinators have emerged from their winter shelters and are less likely to be harmed by cleanup activities.

How to Protect Pollinators During Spring Cleanup

When cleaning up your garden in the spring, take steps to protect pollinators:

Inspect for nesting activity: Look for signs of nesting bees, such as ends of stems plugged with mud or plant material. Leave these stems in place to provide shelter for the bees.
Move nesting materials: If you need to remove old stems that may have bees nesting, move them to a corner of the garden and leave them undisturbed for a few extra weeks to give the bees time to emerge.
Preserve chrysalises and cocoons: When pruning shrubs or other woody materials, be careful not to remove branches that contain chrysalises or cocoons. These are the protective coverings of butterflies and other insects.
Leave leaf piles: Piles of leaves provide shelter for beneficial insects like butterflies, ladybugs, and assassin bugs. Move leaf piles to a corner of the garden and leave them undisturbed for a while.
Avoid smothering nesting bees: Don’t apply mulch to garden beds until the weather is consistently warm to avoid blocking in-ground nesting bees and other insects.

Additional Tips for Protecting Pollinators

In addition to the steps above, consider these additional tips to protect pollinators in your garden:

Plant pollinator-friendly flowers: Choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen for pollinators.
Avoid using pesticides: Pesticides can harm pollinators, so use them only when absolutely necessary.
Provide water sources: Place shallow dishes of water in your garden to provide a drinking spot for pollinators.

By following these guidelines, you can spring clean your garden while protecting the important pollinators that support our ecosystem.

Gardening

American Germander: A Versatile, Easy-to-Grow Native Plant for Your Garden

by Gregory April 5, 2021

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

American Germander: A Versatile and Easy-to-Grow Native Plant

Introduction

American germander, also known as wood sage, is a low-maintenance perennial herb that is native to North America. It is a member of the mint family and is closely related to lavender and salvia. American germander is a versatile plant that can be used as a groundcover, in flower arrangements, or to attract butterflies to your garden.

Info About Wood Sage

American germander goes by many other names, including Canadian germander, germander wood sage, and wood sage wildflower. It is a low-growing plant that forms a dense groundcover. The leaves are soft and green with fluted or ruffled edges. The flowers are pinkish purple and bloom in the spring through late summer.

American germander is a hardy plant that can tolerate a variety of growing conditions. It prefers moist areas but can also tolerate drought conditions once it is established. American germander is also tolerant of a variety of soils, including sandy, loam, clay, and limestone.

How to Grow American Germander

American germander is easy to grow from seed or cuttings. It can be planted in the spring or fall. Choose a planting site that receives full sun to part shade. American germander prefers moist soil, but it can also tolerate drought conditions.

Once planted, water American germander regularly, especially during the first growing season. Fertilize the plant monthly with a balanced fertilizer. American germander will spread aggressively, so be sure to plant it in an area where you want it to fill in.

Benefits of American Germander

American germander is a beneficial plant to have in your garden. It is a good groundcover that can help to prevent erosion. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. American germander is also deer resistant.

In addition to its ornamental value, American germander has a number of medicinal properties. It has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, headaches, and skin conditions.

Conclusion

American germander is a versatile and easy-to-grow native plant that has a number of benefits. It is a good choice for groundcover, flower arrangements, and butterfly gardens. American germander is also deer resistant and has a number of medicinal properties.

Additional Information

American germander is a member of the mint family, which also includes lavender and salvia.
American germander is a low-growing plant that forms a dense groundcover.
The leaves of American germander are soft and green with fluted or ruffled edges.
The flowers of American germander are pinkish purple and bloom in the spring through late summer.
American germander is a hardy plant that can tolerate a variety of growing conditions.
American germander is easy to grow from seed or cuttings.
American germander is a beneficial plant to have in your garden. It is a good groundcover, attracts pollinators, and is deer resistant.

Gardening

Neonicotinoids: A Threat to Bees and What We Can Do About It

by Gregory August 22, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Neonicotinoids: A Threat to Bees

Imagine a world without bees. No buzzing around flowers, no sweet honey to enjoy, and no pollination of fruits and vegetables. It’s a scary thought, but it’s a real possibility if we don’t take action to protect bees from neonicotinoids.

What are Neonicotinoids?

Neonicotinoids are a type of pesticide that is used to kill insects. They are similar to nicotine, which is a natural insecticide found in tobacco plants. Neonicotinoids are often used to protect crops from pests, but they can also harm bees and other beneficial insects.

How Neonicotinoids Harm Bees

Neonicotinoids work by blocking certain nerve signals in insects. This can lead to paralysis and death. Bees are particularly sensitive to neonicotinoids because they are exposed to them through the pollen and nectar of treated plants.

Even small amounts of neonicotinoids can harm bees. Studies have shown that exposure to neonicotinoids can interfere with honeybee reproduction, navigation, and foraging abilities.

The Dangers of Neonicotinoids to Pollinators

Bees are essential pollinators for many plants, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Without bees, our food supply would be severely impacted.

Neonicotinoids pose a serious threat to bees and other pollinators. Studies have shown that neonicotinoids can kill bees outright, or weaken them to the point where they are more susceptible to disease or parasites.

What Can We Do?

There are a number of things we can do to help protect bees from neonicotinoids:

Buy organic produce. Organic produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, including neonicotinoids.
Choose less toxic pesticides. If you must use pesticides, choose products that are less toxic to bees.
Support beekeepers. Beekeepers are working hard to protect bees from neonicotinoids and other threats. You can support their efforts by buying local honey and beeswax products.
Plant bee-friendly flowers. Bees are attracted to flowers that are blue, purple, yellow, or white. Plant these flowers in your garden to provide bees with a food source.

Alternatives to Neonicotinoids

There are a number of alternatives to neonicotinoids that are less harmful to bees. These alternatives include:

Insecticidal soap
Neem oil
Beneficial insects

How to Identify and Avoid Neonicotinoid-Treated Plants

Neonicotinoids are often used to treat plants at nurseries and garden centers. To avoid buying neonicotinoid-treated plants, look for the following label information:

EPA Registration Number: This number will start with the letters “EPA Reg. No.” followed by a series of numbers.
Active Ingredients: Neonicotinoids will be listed as one of the active ingredients on the label.

If you are unsure whether or not a plant has been treated with neonicotinoids, ask a nursery employee for help.

Conclusion

Neonicotinoids are a serious threat to bees and other pollinators. By taking action to reduce our use of neonicotinoids, we can help to protect these important insects and ensure the future of our food supply.

Fruit Gardening

Raspberry Pollination: A Guide to Improving Fruit Production

by Gregory July 28, 2020

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Raspberry Pollination: A Fascinating Process

Raspberries are delicious and nutritious fruits, but have you ever wondered how they are pollinated? The process of raspberry pollination is actually quite complex and involves a lot of teamwork between raspberry plants and pollinators.

What is Pollination?

Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part. In the case of raspberries, the male part of the flower is the anthers, which produce pollen, and the female part is the pistil, which contains the ovules.

How are Raspberries Pollinated?

Raspberry flowers are self-pollinating, which means that they can pollinate themselves. However, they benefit greatly from the help of pollinators, such as honeybees and solitary bees. These bees visit raspberry flowers to collect nectar and pollen, and in the process, they transfer pollen from the anthers to the pistil.

The Role of Bees

Honeybees and solitary bees are the primary pollinators of raspberry bushes. They are attracted to the nectar produced by raspberry flowers, and when they visit the flowers to collect nectar, they inadvertently transfer pollen from one flower to another.

The Structure of a Raspberry Flower

Raspberry flowers are not single blooms, but rather comprised of 100 to 125 pistils. Each pistil must be pollinated in order to create a mature seed and resulting drupe. It takes about 75 to 85 druplets to make a fruit. If all of the druplets are not pollinated, the fruit will be misshapen. This means forming a complete juicy raspberry takes a lot of visits from many bees.

The Process of Raspberry Pollination

The process of raspberry pollination begins when a bee visits a raspberry flower to collect nectar. As the bee moves from flower to flower, it picks up pollen on its body. When the bee visits a flower that has not yet been pollinated, some of the pollen it is carrying will be transferred to the pistil.

Once the pollen is transferred to the pistil, it germinates and produces a pollen tube. The pollen tube grows down the style of the pistil and eventually reaches the ovules. The pollen tube then releases sperm cells, which fertilize the ovules.

What Happens if Raspberries are Not Pollinated?

If raspberries are not pollinated, they will not produce fruit. In some cases, the flowers may still produce fruit, but the fruit will be misshapen and seedless.

How to Attract Pollinators to Raspberry Bushes

There are a number of things you can do to attract pollinators to your raspberry bushes, including:

Plant a variety of flowering plants in your garden.
Avoid using pesticides that can harm bees.
Provide a water source for bees.
Create a bee-friendly habitat by planting native plants.

How to Improve Raspberry Pollination Rates

If you are having trouble with raspberry pollination, there are a few things you can do to improve the rates, including:

Increase the number of raspberry plants in your garden.
Plant raspberry bushes in a sunny location.
Water raspberry bushes regularly.
Fertilize raspberry bushes according to the package directions.
Control pests and diseases that can damage raspberry plants.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your raspberry bushes are pollinated and producing an abundance of delicious fruit.

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