Bees
Replacing the Green Desert: Why Native Plant Alternatives to Turf?
The great American love affair with lawns has a long tradition. The funny thing is, it’s not even our tradition – we adopted the idea from Europe where turf grasses are native. And that’s where the ecological problem starts. Our native flora and fauna species did not co-evolve with European turf grasses and are not supported by these exotic grass…
Read MoreTop 10 New Year’s Resolutions for the EcoBeneficial Gardener
1. Reduce or eliminate your lawn – it’s an ecological desert. 2. Focus on increasing the health of your soil – it’s filled with life! Compost is king for most soils, not fertilizer. 3. Eliminate synthetic pesticides, herbicides + fungicides. Use organic counterparts sparingly, if at all. 4. Support beneficial insects with appropriate native plantings. They are nature’s pest control.…
Read MoreLast Minute Gift Idea: Think Native Woody Plants!
Stuck trying to find a last minute holiday gift? Why not give an easy gift that keeps on giving to your loved one and the environment? A coupon for a native tree or shrub will do the trick! Make it simple by creating your own coupon on a holiday card: “Good for one native tree or shrub.” In the spring,…
Read MoreUs vs. Them? Can We Afford to Remain Disconnected from Environmental Realities?
The population of Monarch butterflies has declined to the lowest level ever recorded, pollinators are in a well-reported nose dive, the 20 most common bird species have declined by 68% in the past 45 years. What does this all mean for us humans, the one species that all other species could exist without? It turns out that we need other…
Read MoreMeadowscaping: A Perfect Alternative to Lawns
You might be thinking about doing some planting this fall. Why not consider planting a native meadowscape: a meadow or a meadow-like garden? Meadowscapes are fantastic ecological alternatives to lifeless lawns (“green deserts”). Whether you have a tiny yard or an expansive landscape, you can create a native meadowscape and give your landscape a big ecological boost. Bees, butterflies, other…
Read MoreHelping Pollinators & Improving Ecosystems: Inspirations from the UK
Just “across the pond” in the United Kingdom, there are some inspiring initiatives going on to help pollinators and create environmental improvements. In June of this year the British Government’s Minister for Environmental Science announced that a National Pollinator Strategy will soon be created. This is the only country I know of which has placed pollinators, and their critical role…
Read MoreThe Power of Every Landscape
It’s no secret to followers of this blog that I encourage the use of regional native plants because they have co-evolved with other living things and support our ecosystems. These symbiotic relationships are fundamental to a healthy environment. The great news is that every backyard, every community garden, every rooftop garden, every commercial landscape and every container on a patio…
Read MoreBee City USA: Helping Bees, City by City
You may have heard about Tree City USA, a nationwide program for communities which have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees. Over 3,400 communities now have Tree City USA status. Borrowing from this idea there is a new, exciting program to help support bees across the country: Bee City USA. In 2011, Phyllis Stiles,…
Read MoreFeeding the Bees: Creating a Bee Buffet!
We are hearing more and more about the challenges which honey bees and native bees are facing. There are many things you can do in a landscape to help bees. One thing we all can do is create an appealing and nutritious “bee buffet” to help our pollinator friends. As you likely know, bees need both pollen and nectar. Let’s…
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