In the next two Tips from the Yard let’s cover all the late fall tasks involved in putting the yard to bed.  Let’s look at the pollinators we want to protect first.

Many gardeners love to see pollinators in the yards during the summer, the butterflies, the specialty bees, and even the hummingbirds fluttering about.  We make our yards attractive to the living.  But in the fall, we have thought it important to clearcut all the plants to the ground in flower beds.  Remove every single fallen leaf and dried stem, making the garden beds resemble a tundra.  We even thought to spread a 3” coating of mulch all over the planting area.  All in preparation for the spring and getting a good jump on all the work related to garden prep.  Applause and a hearty slap on the back; good job, or is it?  After a couple of years of this practice, where are all the butterflies and specialty bees?  Remember, hummingbirds migrate south.  They don’t need our yards in the winter. Continue reading Tips From the Yard: Discussing Fall Tasks, Part 1 →