Care and How-To - Pollinators
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Driving through Iowa, you'll find many eye-catching native and non-native plants thriving along roadsides. Here are some of the common species you'll find.
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Find a native plant well-suited for any spot in your Iowa landscape.
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When selecting plants for the shade garden, don't overlook native woodland wildflowers. Woodland wildflowers are attractive additions to home landscapes and are easy to grow when given a favorable site.
When purchasing plants for those shady areas in the landscape, consider the following woodland wildflowers.
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The slender, tubular flowers are produced in 2- to 3-inch-wide flower heads in June and July. They perform best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Spent flower heads should be promptly removed to prolong bloom period.
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There are so many options in the garden center, and yet some plants seem to be everywhere (and some of them are even invasive)! These recommended alternatives are a great option for a similar plant that can introduce diversity and have fewer problems.
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Organic weed control relies on a combination of cultural, mechanical, and physical methods to prevent weeds from establishing and to manage those that do emerge. Common practices include mulching, cultivation, hand weeding, and organic herbicides, all of which work best when applied early and consistently.
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ome milkweed species are attractive additions to home landscapes, and monarch butterflies like them too. Here are some tips on selecting and establishing milkweed.
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Pollinator Lawns, Bee Lawns, Freedom Lawns. All of these terms refer to the same idea: creating a lawn that is more friendly to insects.
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Pollination is an important factor when selecting and planting tree and small fruits. A list of pollination requirements for the various fruits is presented below. Home gardeners should consider these fruiting requirements when browsing garden centers or leafing through garden catalogs.
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Conservation begins at home, and our gardens and landscapes offer some of the most immediate opportunities for the average gardener to support the environment.
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Brighten a gardener’s day with thoughtful gifts like quality tools, seeds, accessories, and personalized items.
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No Mow May is a program to leave your lawn unmown for the month of May to create habitat and food sources for early-season pollinators.
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Pollination is essential for producing vegetables like cucumbers and peppers. It involves transferring pollen to a flower's stigma, aided by wind, insects, birds, or mammals.
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How to help pollinators
One of the many benefits of gardening is the opportunity to provide resources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Luckily, there are some simple steps every gardener can take that help these beneficial