Gardening Techniques
Grow Your Own Bird Seed: Native Grasses for Wild Birds
Many of our wild birds are seed eaters and will appreciate a backyard buffet planted with beautiful native grasses. The planting you do this spring will pay off next fall and winter when those birds are looking for scarce food resources. Our native grasses are not only attractive, but they are highly useful in our backyard (and front yard) ecosystems. They…
Read MoreNative Bees: The Forgotten 4,000
We all know the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) because of its amazing ability to produce that golden liquid, honey. But, did you realize that there are more than 4,000 species of bees which are native to the United States? Native bees vary tremendously in size, color, habitat, nest types, how they feed their larvae, etc. Native bees also have…
Read MoreMultiple Duty Native Plants: The EcoBeneficial Gardener’s Secret Weapon
It’s that time of year when we start to think about spring planting. How do you choose the best plants to improve the ecosystem in your own yard? Choosing native plants which are “environmental workhorses” will not only help improve your ecosystem, but will also reward you with more birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and other critters in your yard. When…
Read MoreHigh-Value Pollen Sources for Honey Bees: Get Planting!
For honey bees, pollen is essential for brood-rearing, and they need a lot of it: an average colony collects 50 to 125 pounds per year. Pollen is honey bees’ main source of protein, lipids, vitamins and minerals. They need pollen with 20% protein; 10 of the amino acids in pollen protein are essential to honey bee development. Not all plants…
Read MoreCritical Early Trees and Shrubs for Bees
In very the early spring, trees and shrubs with early blooms are critical for honey bees and our native bees. Some provide both nectar and pollen, and some only offer pollen. As the growing season progresses, more resources become available to bees, but you can help them out in early spring by planting some early blooming native trees and shrubs. …
Read MoreBenefits of a Blanket of Snow in Your Garden
Love it or hate it, snowfall in winter is a reality for most of the country. EcoBeneficial is in the “love it” category. Here’s why: Snow as Insulator Snow is not only beautiful, but a blanket of snow acts as just that – a natural blanket of insulation for your garden soil. As with home insulation, the R value is determined by…
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