Gardening for Pollinators and Wildlife – August 20, 2022

Table of Contents

• Shannon’s Note
• Nursery Update
• Upcoming Deliveries
  • Available Items
  • Pre-order logistics
• August Tasks When Gardening for Pollinators and Wildlife
• Subscribe to Newsletter

Shannon’s Note

The excessive heat and humidity seem to have broken and we’re starting to get rain again! That means fall planting season has begun! We can still get some hot, dry spells and may need to water some, but we can definitely start planting again. I’m super excited because I have some major projects I’m hoping to get to this fall.

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Nursery Update

We’re out of milkweed for the season, but have lots of other species of native plants available. If you’re planting for monarchs, remember that they need more than just milkweeds. Having plenty of other plants that the adults can get nectar from, especially during the fall migration is just as important. We also have quite a few shrubs available that provide nectar and/or pollen for a wide variety of pollinators at various times of the year.

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Upcoming Deliveries

Our next pre-ordered deliveries will be Friday and Saturday in Glasgow and Bowling Green, respectively. The ordering deadline for both dates is noon on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

• Glasgow
  • Friday, August 26, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Beaver Trail Park parking lot
• Bowling Green
  • Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Parking lot of the old Big Lots – Note new location since our usual meeting spot is torn up.

We will have at least one more set of pre-ordered deliveries to Bowling Green and Glasgow this fall. We will also be set up at the Honey Festival in Nashville, Tennessee in September and at the SoKY Wild Ones Native Plant Sale in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Details about those events will be available soon.

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Available Items:

Books, Gift Certificates, and Honey

Native Wildflowers for Pollinators and Wildlife (Click on a thumbnail for detailed information about that plant.)

Native Grasses for Pollinators and Wildlife (Click on a thumbnail for detailed information about that plant.)

Native Shrubs and Trees for Pollinators and Wildlife (Click on a thumbnail for detailed information about that plant.)

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Pre-Order Logistics and What to Expect

• E-mail the following information to shannon@busybeenurseryandconsulting.com
  • List of items, sizes, and quantities that you want to order.
• Ordering deadline: noon on Thursday, August, 25.
  • Orders are filled in the order that I receive them.
  • I will make sure I have everything you want and send you the total for the order.
• On the day of the delivery:
  • I will have your order ready to go when you arrive.
  • You can pay by cash, check, or card.
  • If you are not satisfied with any of the plants that I picked for you, please let me know before you leave with them and I will be happy to keep those plants. I am not responsible for plants after you take possession of them.

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August Tasks When Gardening for Pollinators and Wildlife

• Fall is the best time to plant native perennial wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
  • The roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes and will start growing again in the spring once the ground thaws. That extra root growth will give your fall planted plants a jump start on any plants that you plant in the spring.
• Water newly planted plants, as needed.
  • The drought may be mostly over, but we can still have dry spells and newly planted individuals may need additional water.
• Clean hummingbird feeders regularly.
  • You might need to do this as often as every day at this time of year and never add new sugar water to old sugar water.
• Clean and refill birdbaths weekly or more often as needed.
  • Cleaning and refilling birdbaths at least once a week will help keep your birdbath from becoming a mosquito factory.
• Check for and remove any paper wasp nests in butterfly houses or empty birdhouses near your gardens.
  • I actually recommend removing or blocking the entrances to butterfly houses.
• If you have a field that you typically mow, which has lots of goldenrods, asters, and other fall flowers in it, then try waiting to mow until after the first killing frost.
  • Waiting to mow will allow our 14 species of butterflies that migrate, including the monarch butterfly, and all of our fall bees the opportunity to use the flowers.
• It’s always a good time to kill invasive species.
  • Stilt grass (Microstegium sp.) can be easily pulled in garden beds.
  • If you are using herbicides, be sure to read and follow the label.

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