It may not seem like it, but the days are getting have steadily shorteer. With that, we’ve also begun our journey to fall. Aside from images of glowing fireplaces and pumpkin spice everything, those of us in the gardening world should put some thought into helping our pollinator friends. In Florida, unlike many other locales, this is not the end of the season for these creatures. Instead, look at this season as an opportunity to renew food resources and nesting sites for stationary and migratory populations alike. Home landscapes offer enormous opportunities for just this purpose.
Food Sources
Before we get too immersed in the methodology, let us investigate what exactly pollinators need to survive as resources begin to get scarce. Universally, be they birds, insects, or bats, their main food source is plant nectar.
Nectar is a product of blooming flowers. Plants produce this sweet substance specifically to attract animals who rely on it as food. When the animal retrieves the nectar, they brush against the plant’s anther, depositing pollen on their bodies. When that same animal visits the next flower, the pollen is left on that flower’s pistil, and pollination occurs.
Garden Planning
In Florida, some flowering plants will flower naturally well into November. To maximize this, homeowners should aim for a mixture of seasonally appropriate plants. IFAS has several apps to help you plan this, whether you’re butterfly or bee gardening.
Some of the common nectar plants you’ll find in Northwest Florida are goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Spanish needle (Bidens alba), and black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). Many tree species, particularly hollies (Ilex spp.) are also critical as a food source for many bird species.
Pollinator Habitat
Another aspect of pollinator support which may be less apparent than food sources is nesting. Though we have mild winters, many species survive by nesting underground, in hollow cavities, or by entering dormancy. Several other species choose to avoid our winters by migrating to warmer climates.
Ground Nesters
For our ground nesters (mostly bee species), access is key. Leave some ground bare by avoiding ground cloth, plastic mulches, or cardboard. These insects burrow into the soil, and while these covers may be useful in certain situations, they can inhibit nesting for these pollinators. It is also important to avoid heavy tillage or digging in these sites, as this will disturb the nests. A loose application of natural mulch may be beneficial, but you should avoid heavy artificial mulches in these areas.
Cavity Nesters
Cavity nesters can find shelter in a variety of places. One lesser-thought-of location is the hollowed-out stems of many flowers. Hold off on trimming these back in your garden until later winter or early spring, just before they begin active growth.
Small piles of decaying wood are wonderful resources for cavity-nesting pollinators. Leave some piles of this material in the lesser-trodden parts of your landscape. This will not only allow pollinators to nest but may also become a critical food source for birds.
Summing Up
Finally, leave some areas in your landscape undisturbed through the winter. This does not have to be everywhere, as particularly those in an HOA may be restricted from this practice. Allowing some deciduous leaves to remain will provide shelter for some species of pollinators. Also, avoid the use of broad-spectrum pesticides in your yard to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Pollinators perform a critical function in your landscape. As such, they should be protected as best as possible. A little planning and some changes in planting will provide food sources and shelter, leading to a healthier landscape at your home. For more information on pollinators, or any horticultural topic, contact your local Extension office.
0
