Putting the Garden to Bed

​Background

 

Concepts presented are also summarized here

- https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/rethink-your-yard

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Links referenced in this presentation:

• www.xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf; 

• xerces.org/blog/5-ways-to-increase-nesting-habitat-for-bees 

• www.xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/13-054_02_XercesSoc_Tunnel-Nests-for-Native-Bees_web.pdf

• healthy_yards.org — www.healthyyards.org/homeowners/love-leaves/

 

Save some stems 

Dr. Heather Holm, author & conservationist, advocates breaking stems off at heights of 8” - 24” in late spring; the brittle stems discourage deer from browsing emerging plants and show plant locations

https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/uploads/1/3/9/1/13913231/stemnestingbeesweb_1.pdf?mc_cid=f3c8b055b4&mc_eid=957d3f5a2c

 

Good plants with pithy (spongy) stem centers for cavity-nesting bees:

- Raspberry & blackberry canes, Joe Pye weed, elderberry, sumac, hydrangea, Wild Bergamot (Monarda), and many composites (Asteraceae family) such as asters, goldenrod, coneflowers and sunflowers

Plants with seed heads for overwintering birds:

- coneflowers, agastache, black-eyed Susan’s, coreopsis (there may be many other plants, these are based on observations in my garden)

 

#LeavetheLeaves

Dr. Heather Holm - has developed and shared findings from Dr. Doug Tallamy and Dr. Desiree Narango in the form of a concept named “Soft Landings.” It explains the importance of “Leave the Leaves” and planting native plants below trees  - click here for more information and sketches

 

These articles from NY State discuss new ways to think about saving leaves.

    - https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/post/turning-over-an-old-leaf 

    - http://www.leaveleavesalone.org 

 

Plant more native plants to create Soft Landings:​

• nwf.org/nativeplantfinder  -- use this search tool to identify top native plants that are host (food) plants for pollinators in your zip code

• try to use "keystone plants," such as those listed below, and host plants when deciding what to plant

 

Flowering perennials & number of pollinator species supported: 

Goldenrod (123), Aster (108), Helianthus (58), Joe-pye weed (30), Ironweed (21), 

Trees & shrubs & number of pollinator species supported: 

Oak (470), Choke/pin cherry (410), Willows (377), Cranberry / blueberry (276), Blackberry (152)

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CT & neighboring state Native plant sources:

Aspetuck Land Trust & CT NOFA ecotype project - spring & fall plant sales

Broken Arrow Nursery - Hamden, CT

Earth Tones Nursery - Woodbury, CT; try the Plant Selection Wizard 

    (this was the plant source for Sherman’s Veterans Field pollinator garden)

Eco59 - eco59.com; a CT native & organic plant seed collective; online only

Eden's Natives Nursery - Tolland / Ellington, CT

Native, A Plant Nursery - Fairfield, CT

Natureworks - Northford, CT

Tiny Meadow Farm - Danbury, CT

Nearby native plant sources (grown without harmful pesticides & native to region)

• Amanda's Garden, Dansville, NY—native perennials shipped bareroot
  https://www.amandasnativeplants.com

• Catskill Native Nursery—great plant lists www.catskillnativenursery.com 

• ✿ Garden for Wildlife—new online source for mail-order native plants approved by native plant experts

• ✿ Helia Native—West Stockbridge, MA  www.helianativenursery.com

• ✿ Native Plant Trust—(formerly N. E. Wildflower Society); NativePlantTrust.org
  their Garden Plant Finder tool identifies insect host plants and bloom times; 2 locations: 

  • Garden in the Woods-Framingham, MA (botanical garden, entrance fee)

  • Nasami Farm-Whately, MA 

• ✿ Northeast Pollinator Plants—Fairfax, Vermont www.northeastpollinator.com 

• Tiny Meadow Farm--Danbury, CT

• Wild Gardens Nursery, Cortland Manor, NY; most plants grown from seed

✿ may sell pollinator kits

 

Northeast Pollinator Plants - www.northeastpollinator.com

Read this article to learn how to create a pollinator garden and how to maintain it in a way that reduces harm to resident pollinators:
- https://www.northeastpollinator.com/pages/planting-for-pollinators

 

Other reading material & Q&A links:

https://awaytogarden.com/fall-cleanup-with-ecology-in-mind-with-doug-tallamy/  

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