(by Diane De Luca)
Step Six: Embracing Wildness: A Balanced Approach to Supporting Pollinators
Manicured gardens may look tidy, but a little wildness goes a long way in supporting wildlife! Embracing a more natural look provides essential food, shelter, and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial creatures.
How to Keep it Wild (With Purpose):
- Leave the Leaves
Instead of raking leaves to the curb, let them remain in your garden beds. Leaves act as a natural mulch, insulating plant roots, conserving moisture, and suppressing weeds. This organic material also supports decomposers like earthworms and fungi, which improve soil health.
- Save the Seed Heads
- Let flower heads mature and dry on plants like sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) and asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). These seeds provide winter food for birds, contributing to backyard biodiversity.
- Create Brush Piles
- Pile fallen branches, twigs, and logs in a designated area to provide shelter for insects, small mammals, and amphibians. Brush piles are especially valuable for overwintering native bees and beetles.
- Leave Hollow Stems Standing
- After flowering, cut hollow or pithy stems from native plants like goldenrod (Solidago spp.) or Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium spp.) to around 8-24 inches. Native bees like small carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) and mason bees (Osmia spp.) will use these stems as nesting places.
Important Tip: Designate a Wild Corner
- If you prefer a neater aesthetic, consider setting aside a “wild corner” in your yard. This intentionally untamed space can support biodiversity while blending with a more maintained landscape. Native shrubs like elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) can add visual appeal while benefiting pollinators.
By striking a balance between cultivation and conservation, you’ll create a vibrant, resilient habitat that sustains pollinators and the broader ecosystem. Plus, the reward of watching birds forage for seeds and bees nest in hollow stems makes every “wild” moment worth it!