By George Weigel
Did you know that the pollination efforts of bees are behind one of every three bites of food we eat as a typical American? That accounts for some $15 billion a year in U.S. crop services, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
But pollinator populations have dwindled in recent years. Home gardeners can help remedy the situation with a few simple gardening habits.
Start by eliminating invasive plants. Most of these are aggressive, nonnative species that aren’t that attractive to pollinators to start with. Their biggest threat is elbowing out natives that are of high pollinator value.
Some of the worst invasive plants throughout much of the United States are tree of heaven, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, the oxeye daisy, Russian olive and the multiflora rose.
But while you are busy pulling out the invasive plants, don’t be too much of a “neatnik.” Tolerate cosmetic and temporary plant damage because some of that damage is from caterpillars that are in the larval stage of becoming butterflies and moths.
Let leaves break down in landscape beds to serve as shelter for beneficial insect eggs, as well as insulation for plants and a way to enrich soil. Don’t deadhead all of the spent flowers immediately because birds use seed as food, especially in winter. And wait until spring to remove frost-killed grasses and perennials. That vegetation also shelters overwintering beneficial insects and serves as nest-building material for birds.
Finally, give pollinators a water source. Birdbaths and water features are two good ways. Shallow puddles are also excellent if you refresh the water every few days to avoid mosquitoes.
George Weigel is a Pennsylvania-based horticulturist, garden consultant, author and newspaper garden columnist.