How to Eliminate Peony Blight In Your Garden

May 31, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on how to eliminate peony blight.  Have you noticed a whitish gray powdery substance on your peony leaves?  What about brown spots on the leaves?  Sadly, your peony probably has Botrytis Blight. Fortunately, your peonies can recover and continue to give you the beautiful blooms as they did before the blight hit.  

Botrytis Blight is also called Gray Mold, and is the most common disease of peonies.  You will usually find it June through September.  There are others, but today we’re going to focus on the Botrytis Blight since it is the most prevalent.  Most gardeners find their peonies are affected with this blight when their area has had a lot of rain or the weather becomes hot and humid.  After a rainy period and than the weather turned hot with high humidity is when the blight appeared in my garden.  Luckily, only one of my peonies was affected.  However, one is too many.  

 

 

how to eliminate peony blight

 

 

 

My peonies actually had the gray mildew, as well as brown spots.  Peony leaf blight is what causes the large, brown spots as shown below.  Fortunately, the mildew and leaf blight can both be controlled.  

 

 

how to eliminate peony blight

 

How to Eliminate Peony Blight:  

 

  • Mildewed peony leaves can be treated with Neem Oil.  In the fall, the plant can be cut down to the ground as shown below.  
  • If your plant has a few leaves with brown spots, remove the affected leaves from your shrub immediately.  
  • In the fall, cut your peony plant down to the ground (as shown below).  
  • Remove all cuttings and infected leaves after you cut down your plants.  Place the cuttings in  the trash or burn them.
  • Once your cut your plant and remove the infected cuttings, spray your plant thoroughly with Garden Safe Fungicide3.  
  • Clean your shears or loppers thoroughly after cutting the diseased plant.  

 

 

eliminating peony blight

 

 

 

Peony Maintenance:  

  • Deadhead your peonies annually.
  • Make sure plants are spaced at least 3 feet apart. 
  • Plant peonies in full sun or part shade. 
  • Cut peonies down to the ground in the fall. 
  • Spray the Garden Safe Fungicide3 as a part of your maintenance program to keep the blight from hitting. (Spray your plants in the fall after cutting them down and in the spring before blooms emerge).  
  • Water peonies early morning at the base.  

 

 

eliminating peony blight

 

 

Last, taking these steps will eliminate and prevent peony blight from hitting your beautiful plants.  With these steps you peonies will be a good as new.  This is my Sarah Bernhardt peony.  Sadly, it was affected by the blight. However, re-emerged as beautiful as ever this spring. Preventive maintenance is key to healthy plants.  

Filed Under: Flower Gardens Tagged With: , , , ,

Best Flowers For Sunny Locations

May 18, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing beginner gardening tips on best flowers for sunny locations.  Knowing your plant’s needs is imperative if you want to be successful growing beautiful flower gardens.  Some garden areas are perfect for full sun flowers, some part sun and shade and some simply shade. To take out the guess work out the plants that you should use for sunny locations.  I’ve put together a list of flowers that love sunny locations.

 

Know the Requirements for Best Flowers for Sunny Locations

When a plant’s need is full sun, it doesn’t have to be in full sun all day.  However, it must have at least 6 hours of sunshine per day.  If you have part shade in an area near your sun garden, look for and plant flowers that can thrive in full sun or part shade.

Provide mulch for your flowers, it will help them retain moisture.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Flowers for Sunny Locations: 

 

  • Black-eyed Susans
  • Coreopsis
  • Sunflowers
  • Iris
  • Sage
  • Bee Balm
  • Knock Out Roses
  • Day Lilies
  • Sedum
  • Lavender
  • Shasta Daisy
  • Petunia
  • Moss Ross
  • Geraniums
  • Begonias
  • Salvia
  • Verbena
  • Arnica
  • Roses
  • Lilac
  • Sweet Alyssum
  • Marigolds
  • Zinnia
  • Balloon Flower
  • Salvia
  • Azalea
  • Blanket Flower
  • Crape Myrtle
  • Clematis
  • Hydrangeas
  • Lupines
  • Turtleheads

 

 

 

best flowers for sunny locations

 

 

Know Your Gardening Zone for Best Results:  

Know your gardening zone, and look for plants that will thrive in your area.  Furthermore, make sure they can survive the heat and drought you may encounter doing the summer.  You will need to provide water during these stressful times and ensure they still receive the nutrients needed.  Native plants are very good options, they are already accustomed to your area.  

 

Plant Perennials and Annuals for Best Flowers for Sunny Location:

Additionally, you can plant annuals with your perennials.  They are perfect for containers and pots or filling in gaps in your borders.  Just make sure they are suitable to you gardening zone and have the same sun requirements.

Last, play with colors and height to create interest in your garden.  I love combining purple, pink and white petunias in my containers and window boxes.  The hummingbirds and butterflies love them.  If you’re interested attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators, be sure to plant flowers that will do just that.  

You may also like Gardener’s Guide to Sun Expose.  

 

 

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Hummingbird Flowers and Plants for Backyards

May 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on hummingbird flowers and plants. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world.  They are fascinating creatures that eat once every 10 to 15 minutes.  As a result, they visit approximately  1,000 to 2,000 flowers per day.  Hummingbird flowers provide nectar, which they absolutely love.  Are you wondering what flowers to plant to entice them?  I have a hummingbird flowers and plants list, check it out.  

 

 

hummingbird flowers and plants

 

 

 

Hummingbird Flowers and Plants:   

 

  • Yarrow
  • Larkspur
  • Bee Balm
  • Trumpet Vine
  • Day Lilies
  • Petunias
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Honeysuckle
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Red Hot Poker
  • Zinnia
  • Sunflowers
  • Impatiens
  • Foxglove
  • Coneflowers
  • Geraniums
  • Morning Glory
  • Hollyhocks
  • Coral Bells
  • Lantana
  • Rose of Sharon
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Iris

 

My list gives a good variety of hummingbird flowers to choose from.  Hummingbirds love red and yellow, so choose as many red and yellow flowers as you can.  The petunias in the window boxes on my deck never fail to bring hummingbirds.  So, tubular flowers are excellent choices.    

 

Hummingbird Flowers and Plants Provide Nectar:  

Also, these flowers provide nectar, which makes up 90% of a hummingbird’s diet.  Furthermore, nectar provides energy.  In additional to planting these flowers, hang a nectar feeder.  They are inexpensive and hummingbirds love them.  Red feeders with yellow ports are just what the hummingbird ordered.  To help hummingbirds find your feeders. tie a red ribbon close to the feeder.  

So, you can purchase nectar food packets at a local store.  However, I suggest that you save your money and use the ingredients that you have on hand.  I try to provide natural products to my backyard birds when possible.  As a result, use the natural nectar recipe below.  

 

 

 

hummingbird flower and plants

 

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe: 

  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 cup sugar 

 

  1.  Boil 4 cups of water. 
  2.  Add 1 cup of white granulated sugar.
  3.  Mix the sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved. 
  4.  Once the sugar is dissolved, continue to boil mixture for 2 additional minutes. 
  5.  Allow the mixture to cool thoroughly. 
  6.  Pour nectar into clean hummingbird feeders.

 

Attracting Hummingbirds to Feeders:    

Change the nectar every 3 – 5 days.  Be sure to clean your feeder too.  This will keep bacteria from invading your feeder.  See my post on how to clean bird feeders.

Set up territories in your yard, and place a feeder in each territory.  This will attract more hummingbirds to your backyard.  

Also, hummingbirds like to perch.  So, leave branches with open tips on them where hummingbirds can preen and rest.  They should be placed near nectar feeders or flowers that they love.  

Last, hummingbirds prefer to bath by flying through water mist.  Place a water mister in your birdbath.  If you can place it near the nectar feeder or among your flowers the hummingbirds will love you for it.    

I hope that you will plant a few hummingbird flowers and plants either in your garden, shrubbery bed or in containers.  Your hummingbirds will love you for them.  You may also like Hummingbirds.  

 

 

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Easiest Plants to Grow In Your Garden

March 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on the easiest plants to grow in your garden.   Growing a flower garden is probably among the most satisfying activities you can do.  But, it can also be a very unpredictable experience too.  For example, you may get amazing results one year and pests and disease catastrophe the next. Also, you’ll quickly learn that some growing conditions are easier to deal with than others.  But, in most cases it comes down to choosing the right plants.

Whatever the challenge, there are always ways to solve these problems.  Experienced gardeners understand this, but it might get tough or frustrating for beginner gardeners. The key is to plant healthy plants that are native to your area.

 

Benefits of Native Plants: 

  • Already acclimated to your area
  • Requires less watering
  • No fertilizer needed
  • Not invasive
  • Better for pollinators

 

 

easy to grow plants

 

 

 

Easiest Plants to Grow Plants:

 

Butterfly Bush

 

The butterfly bush attracts butterflies and pollinators such as hummingbirds and honeybees. However, this bush can become is quite large plant growing up to 8 feet high and 5 feet wide if not contained.  It has strong, woody stalks, and in colder zones it dies back each winter.

However, a little pruning in early spring will have your plants looking good as new. Your bushes should be pruned each spring down to 8 to 12 inches to boost its growth. You can also find dwarf varieties which are more convenient for smaller gardens. The plants come in a number of colors such as yellow, pink, purple, red and white, and love full sun exposure with a medium amount of moisture.

 

 

easy to grow plants

 

 

Lavender

 

Lavender comes in many varieties and is quite a short-lived perennial.  But, if you’re looking to add a fragrant element to your garden, this plant is the perfect addition. The color varies from light blue and purple to pale blue and white.  Its perfumed quality make it an attractive addition to any garden. Lavender can also be used in cooking as well as the dried, which is also more potent in smell and flavor. The plant grows to about 20 inches and blooms in late spring/early summer.  It enjoys full sun. Having shallow roots, lavender declines in wetter conditions so it needs less moisture and well-drained soil.

 

Daisies – Yarrow, Aster, and Tickseed

 

The daisy family is quite large, offering a great range of plants to choose from. Starting with yarrow, this plant is quite sturdy with lacy leaves and a wide variety of colors. It’s easy to grow in any well-drained soil, loves the sun, and tends to spread heartily, crowding other plants.

You can find it in pastel colors but also in deep red, rust, white and yellow. It grows up to 4 feet and blooms throughout summer and into fall. Prune it following the blooming period and make sure to remove the dead stalks when the season is over.

Aster is another daisy family member that is a late-season bloomer with a color variety ranging from white, blue and lavender. This will bring pops of color to your garden after most other perennials have finished their bloom. Bear in mind that it needs well-drained soil with medium moisture and slightly acidic conditions. It’s a self-sow plant that grows up to 4 feet in height requiring its root groups to be divided every few years.

Similar to most members of the perennial daisy family, tickseed or coreopsis is a durable choice that’s quite easy to grow. It reaches 3 feet in height and blooms much longer than other perennials, over the whole summer into late fall. You can divide the plants into several smaller ones every couple of years. They react well to pruning or shearing by producing new flower buds. These come in varieties of yellow, pink, red, orange, or a combination of the two. They also love the sun and dry to medium moisture.

 

Cineraria

 

Cineraria is a warm-weather perennial that prefers shade and is typically grown as an annual. It is a clustering plant that grows up to 12 inches in height. It’s frequently planted in containers and produces beautiful purple, white, or blue daisy-like flowers that combine perfectly with ferns.

This plant reseeds itself, and it can grow in surprisingly shallow, but cool and well-drained soil. It does require moderate moisture as constant wetness causes the roots to rot. On the other hand, underwatering will hinder its bloom as well.

 

Daylily

 

The daylily is one of the oldest and best groups of ornamental perennials.  It has countless varieties available. Its upright flower stems grow from 2 to 5 feet producing trumpet-like flowers.  Unfortunately, many blooms only last for one day. Colors range from red, purple, orange, white, and yellow to bi-color combinations. It’s very well-suited for beginner gardeners as they are very resistant to common insects and diseases.

Most daylily types bloom for several weeks during summer.  However, some repeat their blooming cycle giving your garden lively colors throughout all summer. So, daylilies spread in clumps and should be divided every three years.  Overcrowding hinders flowering. Daylilies require sunny to partially sunny conditions with medium wet, well-drained soil.

 

 

easy to grow plants

 

 

 

Oriental Lily

 

The Oriental lilies are a great transitory flower.  They bloom in early summer after the Asiatic lilies have blossomed and before most other lily varieties have begun. Oriental Lilies are planted as bulbs, and gradually spread. Lilies love rich to medium moisture, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil.

They can grow from 1 to 8 feet in height with a wide range of blooming colors such as red, orange, pink yellow, and white. Lilies are quite fragrant and if you remove withered flowers, you’ll boost additional blooming.

 

 These Plants Are Also Colorful

 

Gardening can be an excellent way to express your creativity. Furthermore, it’s a great benefit to your health and wellbeing.  Additionally, achieving a lust, beautiful and lovely smelling ideal garden can be incredibly rewarding. Allow yourself to explore different ideas and layouts, mixing different plants and flowers to create a garden that will be fragrant and colorful throughout spring, summer and fall.

 

Add a few of my suggested easy to grow plants and flowers to your backyard.  You will be enjoying beautiful flowers, butterflies and bouquets of lilies in no time.  

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Simple Garden Wow Factor Tips

August 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening advice on simple garden wow factor tips.  Our gardens have become more important than ever as we battle the Covid-19 crisis. A worldwide pandemic wasn’t anything that anyone expected. Just a few short months ago, you were probably planning your summer vacation.  Or, looking forward to getting a new car or upgrading your kitchen.  However, these plans have now had to be placed on hold as the world enters uncertain economic times. 

garden wow factor

 

 

With lockdowns being enforced, our gardens have become the only outdoor spaces that we have had to enjoy. They have allowed us to reconnect with nature.  Furthermore, they soothe us and allow us to relinquish our anxieties. Our gardens have had a positive impact on our mental health during these unprecedented times. Being one with nature  lowers our blood pressure and can help our bodies release our happy hormone, dopamine. Mix this a little Vitamin D  and we can feel healthier, more alert, and less stressed.

Every garden needs to be maintained, even during a pandemic.  So, why not head out to the garden, get some Vitamin D and get your happy hormones dancing.  Unfortunately, purse strings have tighten as a result of the pandemic.  But, you can still achieve and maintain a beautiful garden.

 

Garden Wow Factor Tips:

 

Water Feature 

If you adore water, implementing a water feature could be perfect. Many people yearn to hear the sound of trickling water.  Personally, I find it soothing and relaxing. The large orb fountains are very on-trend, but can be costly. Instead, consider installing a pond into your back garden. With a pond liner, some hard graft to dig a hole, and a hose to fill up your pond space with water, you can create a habitat for wildlife. Place some water lilies into your pond and some algae to help oxygenate.  And, you can create a healthy home for toads, frogs, and insects. You could install some underwater solar lights to help give your water feature the wow factor in the evening. Install a central fountain that you can pick up cheaply from a DIY store and enjoy listening to the sound of soothing water in your garden.

 

Borders

If you have borders that have seen better days, it’s time to clear the jungle of weeds and take it back to the bare soil. Till the area to break up the soil and add oxygen. Mix in some organic compost to give it nutrients before planting.  Think about what you want to plant in your borders. You have a blank canvas now.  If you are keen on creating a colorful landscape, think about the sorts of hues you want. For purple and blues, opt for a some bluebells, some deep purple dahlias, and some classic hydrangeas. These different floral patterns and bright colors will give your borders the wow factor for sure. 

If you are after a more sculptural display of fauna, think about some exotic palms. These are ideal if you have a south facing back garden and enjoy plenty of sun throughout the day. They relish the heat and light that full sun brings. Also, there’s nothing better than laying some shingle or gravel and putting in the windswept bonsais, cacti, and the hardy winter leafy plants. These need very little maintenance and can survive through droughts.

Furthermore, think about your watering regime. Many people create watering channels for their garden, with one of the many water tank pumps available to power their irrigation. You are much better watering your garden every two or three days and giving them a good drink of water rather than a little drink every twenty four hours.

 

Vegetables

Another one of my garden wow factor tips is to grew fresh vegetables. Set aside a specific section of your garden for vegetables and crops.  This way your flowers and other plants won’t have to compete for the same nutrients. Raised vegetable beds are ideal and very cheap to create. Use any wood that you have lying around to create a frame of any shape. The only requirement is that you can fill this frame with about eight inches of compost. This way, any seeds you sow will have enough space to put down some strong roots. 

Make sure your your vegetable bed is level on your soil or patio. Fill your raised bed with good soil and compost. Sow your seeds  according to the instructions on your seed packets. Keep it simple to begin with.  Especially, if you’ve never grown vegetables before. Potatoes are super easy to grow and the results are almost instant. The same goes for carrots and pak choi. This is also a great way to get the kids involved and away from their computer screens and tablets. As your simple vegetable plots begin to produce, you can begin to experiment with more exotic fruits and vegetables.

 

 

garden wow factor tips

 

 

Dining

If you really want to give your garden the wow factor, consider making your patio the ideal space for dining. With the sunlight hours reaching their peak, there is nothing nicer than eating a family meal outdoors. Your kids will love spending some quality time together as a family and enjoying some good food outside. Clear your patio of weeds and consider installing an awning that attaches to your house.  It can provide shelter from the sun or rain. No matter how fierce the elements are, you can remain cool and dry.

If the nights are getting a little chilly, think about installing a fire pit or chimnea. These are a lot of fun as well as heat-producing models on the market. Rather than shivering the evening away under a blanket, you can keep warm next to a patio heater. Fire pits are also great to toast marshmallows and have a very rustic style barbecue.

 

Your garden has become an added living space to your home, so it is time that you start treating it with some respect. Implement a few of these garden wow factor tips.  You can be enjoying a beautiful garden space without breaking the bank too.

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Attracting the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

August 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on how to attract the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly to your backyard.  Summer is filled with beautiful flowers of every color, pollinators, children playing and butterflies fluttering.  I’ve been adding plants to my backyard that will attract more butterflies.  Also, I purchased butterfly nets for my grandchildren to catch and release them.  It’s great exercise for them, and a great way for them to learn about nature’s pollinators.  So, I’m going to share tips on various butterflies that you may find in your backyard or may want to attract.

 

tiger swallowtail butterfly

 

 

One of my favorite butterflies is the Tiger Swallowtail.  I love their bright yellow and black colors.  I welcome them every year in my backyard.  The Tiger Swallowail is one of the most familar butterflies in the eastern United States.  It’s so popular the following states have adopted them as their state butterfly:

 

  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia

 

The tiger swallowtail butterfly certainly won my heart, so I can understand why various states have adopted them.  You can attract them to your backyard from spring to fall with the right plants.  That’s right, you can attract these beauties all summer.  However, you must provide plants that produce nectar, listed below, and woody plants where they lay their eggs if you want to keep them around.

 

Note:  I am an Amazon Associate.  If you click on any of the products or purchase, I may be compensated a small fee.  However, there will be no additional cost to you.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Host Plants for the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly:

  • Butterfly Bush
  • Milkweed
  • Lilac
  • Phlox
  • Honeysuckle
  • Joe Pye Weed

 

Woody Plants for Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly: 

  • Cottonwood
  • Ash
  • Birch
  • Wild cherry
  • Tulip tree
  • Magnolia
  • Willow

 

Fortunately, I have both ash and wild cherry trees in my backyard.  This galvanized tub sits below the cherry trees.  Now that I know they love salvia, I’ll plant more.

 

 

tiger swallowtail butterfly

 

 

 

This male tiger swall0wtail butterfly was enjoying my salvia.  He enjoyed the nectar for quite awhile.  I would suggest that you take your camera or phone with you when you head out.  I have missed so many opportunities to capture great nature photos because I left my behind.  The tiger swallowtail has a two week life span.  So, enjoy these beauties while you can.

 

 

Identifying Traits of the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly:

  • Yellow to yellowish orange
  • Males have 4 black (tiger) strips on their wings
  • Wings are bordered in black with yellow spots
  • Long black tails have blue patches
  • Females can range from the same yellow color as the male to a dark almost black color

 

 

female tiger swallowtail butterfly

 

This female tiger swallowtail butterfly, above, loves my petunias.  She visited oftens.  Growing host plants in your backyard will attract the tiger swallowtail butterfly.  Look for plants that are native to your area.  Know your garden zone.  It’s imperative to selecting plants for your backyard.  I garden in zone 6B, so native plants in my state may not be native plants in yours. So, make sure you do your research on what will work for you.  A bonus of using native plants is that they are already acclimated to your area.  And, native plants are easier to grow and require less maintenance.

The eastern tiger swallowtail live in deciduous woods along streams, rivers and swamps.  I have a bird bath with a fountain that runs in my backyard.  I’m not sure, but I believe it is an attraction as well as the trees and flowers.  I love experimenting to see what I attract.  I suggest that you do the same.

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Why Do I have Drooping Sunflower Heads

August 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing garden tips on drooping sunflower heads.  I grow sunflowers every year for pollination and food for wildlife.  Unfortunately, I always have drooping sunflower heads.  When I first saw the drooping sunflower heads, I was disappointed.  I grow a variety of sunflowers from Russian Mammoth, which I have grown up to 14 feet high to a smaller variety like Lemon Queen.  Regardless, I end up with drooping sunflower heads.

 

 

drooping sunflower sunflower heads

 

 

Why You Have Drooping Sunflower Heads:

 

Seeds are Maturing –  Once sunflower heads have completely bloomed and pollinated, the sunflower head will become heavy with seeds.   As a result, the heads will bend over.  One good thing about the bend head is that they will drop seeds.  Hopefully, they will germinate the next growing season.   The American Goldfinch love the seeds. They arrive early morning and feast throughout the day.  Also, you can harvest the sunflower heads and save the seeds for roasting or adding to your birdseed mixture.  I do both.  And, I share with fellow gardeners.

 

Weren’t Planted Deep Enough  –Sunflowers need to be planted deeply so they can hold up tall stalks and heavy flower heads.  Once they droop, there isn’t a lot you can do.  If you can tie up the head without damaging it, give a try.  Otherwise, add organic matter to your soil.  The amendment will help the soil absorb water.  Once the plant has been planted, water deeply every 4 – 5 days to encourage deep roots. This will produce a strong, thick stalk with can hold up the heavy heads.  I have had to stalk a few to keep them from falling over.  I always keep metal t-post around.  They are great in supporting the heavy stalks.

 

Note:  I am an Amazon Associate.  If you click on any of the products or purchase, I may be compensated a small fee.  However, there will be no additional cost to you.

 

 

 


 

 

Sunflower Heads are Heavy  –  I plant a combination of giant sunflowers like the Russian Mammoth and the Grey Stripe.  The picture above is the Grey Strip.  My Russian Mammoths and Grey Strip grow around 9 – 11 feet.  The heads are massive, about the size of a dinner plat.  They stand erect once the head appears, but it’s not usual for the head to end up drooping because it’s heavy with seeds.  The head holds approximately 1,000 seeds, and weigh about  2 – 3 pounds.

 

Lack of Water – If the heads are drooping and the leaves are wilting, your plant probably needs water.   Adding mulch or straw around the stem will help it to hold water.  Water deeply, and make sure they are receiving water when needed.

 

 

 

 

drooping sunflowers heads

 

 

Sadly, I have found that my smaller sunflower plants have drooping heads too.  I love when those little smiling faces are up and shining in the sunlight.  This is a Lemon Queen (above) which droops too.  It is much smaller that the Russian Mammoth and Grey Strip.  It only grows to about 4 or feet and the heads are about the size of a saucer.  This sunflower is one of my favorites.

So, not matter what variety of sunflowers you grow, you will end up with drooping sunflower heads.  It’s all a part of mother nature’s plan

Check out my post on sunflower varieties.  Although, you may end up with drooping heads growing sunflowers is a great activity to do with kids.  They also provide food for wildlife, make great summer bouquets and beautiful wreaths and crafts once dried.  You may also like Gardening for Wildlife.

 

 

 

 

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How to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden

July 24, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing tips gardening tips on how to attract pollinators to your garden.  What are pollinators and why are they needed? New gardeners often have these questions.  First, lets start with what are pollinators.  Pollinators carry pollen to plants so they will product flowers/blooms.

So, it’s important to plant flowers and plants that produce nectar.  Nectar will attract pollinators, which include butterflies, bees, beetles, humming birds, wasps and moths.  These insects and birds are our top pollinators.  However, the wind is also a pollinator.  Flowers, fruits and vegetables are produced by pollinators carrying pollen from one plant to the next.  Without them, there will be no fruit or vegetables to harvest or beautiful flowers to enjoy.  As a result, we must attract pollinators to our gardens.

 

 

how to attract pollinators

 

 

 

How to Attract Pollinators: 

 

Plant Native Plants –  Plant native plants rather than annuals.  Native plants are those that grow naturally in a particular area.  Furthermore, they act has a host for butterflies and they provide support for pollinators.  Native plants require less water, fertilizer, pruning, and they require little or no pesticide.

Provide Shelter – Bumblebees need open ground and bare patches of soil to nest.  Provide an area away from your entryways.  I had Bumblebees make a nest in the shrubbery bed leading to my front door.  That was not a good thing.  Also, dead wood and tree stumps make good nesting areas.  Compost piles, brush and hedges make good nesting areas too.

 

 

how to attract pollinators

 

Use Different Colors in Your Garden –  Make sure your garden has a variety of color and texture.  Red, yellow, lavender, white, pink mix it up. Different sizes and shapes should be considered too.

Provide Water – Pollinators are living creatures, so you must provide water for them to survive.  Install a pond, bird bath, fountain or shallow dish with water.

Have Something Blooming at all Times – When purchasing native plants, consider their bloom times as well as planting zones.  Having a plant blooming from May to September is ideal.

 


 

 

Provide Flowers and Plants in Masses – Plant native plants/shrubs in masses.  Five or more is great.  If your garden area is not large enough to accommodate 5 or more, plant at least 3.

Provides Food – Our backyard birds need food, so look for plants that will help produce food for our feathered friends.  Sunflowers, asters, coneflowers produce seeds and dogwoods, cedar and holly produce berries.  Consider planting a few in your garden.

I hope these tips on how to attract pollinators were beneficial.  Give some thought on what plants would work well in your backyard.  Start with a small area, and increase your plantings yearly.  Finally, saving seed and starting new plants can be a big money saver too.

 

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , , ,