In the Pollinator and Wildlife Garden – December 2021

The winter holiday season is in full force this month. It is also an important time in our pollinator and wildlife gardens. We are entering into a period that is simultaneously a time to slow down and a time to look ahead.

For most of us, winter hasn’t even gotten started. We’ve had some cold days and nights. The first frosts have come and gone. But the grass is still mostly green. Earlier this week, we had a couple of days with temps in the 70s. I even saw a couple of sulphur butterflies this week.

Our coldest weather is still a month or more away. At least where I’m at, the ground hasn’t frozen yet, but it’s coming. Some people are still planting, but I hesitate at this time of year because I don’t know if the roots will have a chance to settle in before the ground around them freezes.

December Pollinator and Wildlife Gardening Tasks

1. If you are planning to plant native wildflower seeds in the spring, consider going ahead and doing it now. Many of our native wildflower seeds need to experience a winter before they will germinate. You can simulate that by doing a cold, moist stratification in your refrigerator or you can plant the seeds now and let Mother Nature provide the winter for you.
2. If you have a larger prairie or meadow area that you can burn, talk to your county’s NRCS agent or private lands biologist to determine whether now is a good time to do a prescribed burn.
3. If bush honeysuckle, wintercreeper, or English ivy are some of the invasive species on your property, then you can continue treating and removing them.
4. Take time to breathe. Enjoy the holidays. Have fun watching the birds feed through the flower heads that you left standing in your yard. There will be plenty of time for planning and other pollinator and wildlife gardening tasks next month.

Upcoming deliveries

My winter deliveries continue this month – just in time for holiday gift giving. Honey always makes a tasty gift. I also have my book, blocks of beeswax, and gift certificates. The gift certificates can be used on any of my products, but are especially useful for gifting native plants that the person can get next year.

My December deliveries will be:

• Glasgow
  • Friday, December 10, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Beaver Trail Park parking lot
• Bowling Green
  • Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
  • parking lot of the WKU Small Business Development Center (a.k.a. old mall)

This month I will have:

• Honey from my bees in Barren County
  • 13 oz glass jar for $15
  • Makes a great gift.
• Beeswax from my bees in Barren County
  • 1 oz block for $3, tax included
• Gift certificates
  • You choose the amount.
  • No expiration date.
  • Good for any of my products or services.
• Plants Honey Bees Use in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys
  • $32 tax included
  • Let me know if you want your book signed

How to Order:

If you are interested in ordering anything, please contact me and let me know what you would like. The deadline to send in your orders is noon on Thursday, December 9.