Fall is here and the urge to clean up after my trees and shrubs has arrived again. But the urge to maintain and protect and maintain the garden area in hopes that our native pollinators will visit my property again next spring.
Here are a few simple considerations I take when raking leaves and pruning shrubs during this time of year.
1) BRUSH PILES: Create a brush pile with leaves and yard waste, making sure to add only healthy, decomposing materials to the pile (nothing with fungus or diseases goes in).
2) NESTING MATERIALS: Pollinators have different nesting habits, such as ground and cavity nesters. For cavity nesters, whenever possible, keep dead trees, snags and fallen logs. Also, minimize pruning of pithy shrubs, such as elderberry sumac or hydrangea. For cavity or ground nesters, provide small areas of bare or sparsely vegetated soil. Some pollinators nest in flat areas and others on slopes, so try to offer a bit of both with sun or south facing exposure, if possible. If your soil is compact, dig up a small area and add loamy soil which is easier to dig. Try not to walk over the area, dig or till it as those actions might destroy nests.
There are many more ways each of us can provide healthy habitats for our pollinators. For more information, visit the Pollinator Project and/or Pollinator Partnership.
Mary Blohm