Where Are the Pollinators This Year?
Question: I have a pollinator friendly garden in Maryland and I see very few pollinators this year. No butterflies. Only bumble bees. Have you noticed the same? Answer: Things are not good for pollinators this year in the Northeast. I have seen relatively few pollinators and virtually no butterflies. I…
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Is ‘Autumn Brilliance’ Serviceberry a Good Pollinator & Bird Plant?
Question: I am thinking about adding the serviceberry Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ to my landscape. I realize that it is a cultivar of a naturally occurring hybrid of Amelanchier laevis & Amelanchier arborea. Will this plant be a good source for pollinators & birds? Answer: Our native serviceberry species…
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Good Reasons to Stop Blowing Leaves?
Question: My neighbors are constantly blowing leaves off their yard. Besides being noisy and annoying, I know it’s not good for the environment. How can I convince them to stop? Answer: Leaf blowing has become an obsession in America. At this time of year, in the fall, the relentless hum…
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How Can I Remove Jimsonweed Organically?
Question: We have quite a bit of Jimsonweed in a garden within a public park that our organization maintains. Using RoundUp is out of the question. Are there any ways to remove it organically? Answer: Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is an introduced weed, often classified as a noxious weed or an…
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Does This Plant Have Any Virtues or Is It Invasive?
Question: What are the benefits of Jimsonweed? Are there any virtues to this plant? It seems to be a common, aggressive, but interesting “weed.” I’d like to keep some of it and mix with other beneficial plants in the New York area. Answer: I think that all plants have some…
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Are Organic Fertilizers Harmful to Pollinators?
Question: Is organic fertilizer harmful to pollinators, especially my fave, bumble bees? My husband bought this stuff and I don’t know if it is harmful to bees, or not. I want to help save our precious pollinators. Answer: Thank you for keeping bumble bees in mind in your vegetable garden. …
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