Grass is out and pollinator gardens are all the rage. It is about having a bee and butterfly-friendly yard. Planting or allowing native plants to grow can help make a better and more sustainable garden.
Why are pollinator gardens so popular? Because the bee population is declining and has declined by as much as 40% according to some news sources. Pesticides, fungicides, and the way we garden are all at least partly to blame.
After a couple of years of drought, I am learning to choose plants that don’t need a lot of water. Drought has stressed trees, bushes, and shrubs.
You may see a lot of bees in your yard or this time of year you may see a lot of them on sedum, aster, and goldenrod because those plants attract bees.
It isn’t enough to plant flowers that attract pollinators. Best practices include growing native plants and not disturbing bumblebee nests and leaving some of the flower stalks in your garden over the winter.
September is also a great time to plant trees, shrubs, and a variety of perennials and bulbs. In the Metro area, we have until about the end of October to plant.
Gardening isn’t something that can be done once and forgotten about. There is ongoing maintenance and some plants will take a few years to establish themselves.
If you are interested in making your yard more pollinator-friendly a great place to start is the University of Minnesota Extension website.
There is a survey on the site and useful information about landscaping and gardening in Minnesota. There is information about bees and plants.
Landscaping is a good investment that will increase the value of your home. Landscaping that attracts pollinators may also attract homebuyers.
