YOUR GARDEN…
Telling the Bees, European Folklore
November, 2024
Telling the bees is a charming, ancient European tradition where backyard beekeepers inform their household bees of significant life events like deaths, births, or marriages. If the custom was omitted or forgotten and the bees were not "put into mourning," it was believed a penalty would be paid, such as the bees leaving their hive, stop producing of honey, or dying.
This practice is believed to have its roots in Celtic mythology, where bees were seen as messengers between the human world and the spirit world. The presence of a bee after a death was thought to signify the soul leaving the body. The tradition became particularly prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries in Western Europe and the United States.
To tell the bees, the head of the household or the "goodwife" would approach the hives, gently knock to get the bees' attention, and then softly murmur the news in a solemn tone. This ritual was believed to keep the bees informed and prevent them from leaving the hive or dying. The custom underscores the deep connection and respect that people historically had for bees, viewing them as integral members of the household and community.
In this era in which we live bees are imperiled. Perhaps we should take this ancient tradition to heart and start “telling the bees.
Say No To Green Grass Lawns
September, 2024
This past August, Iowans saw heat indexes skyrocket to over 100 degrees. These recent heat waves may have taken a toll on your outdoor lawn—but at what cost? While sprawling, manicured lawns might be the American standard, that doesn’t mean they are the best choice, especially in unprecedented climate events.
Lawncare treatments, such as pesticides and fertilizers, are especially damaging to native ecosystems and the wildlife they support. These chemicals damage soil microbiomes, making them less resistant to extreme weather conditions. They also degrade local water systems. While altering the existing ecosystem, pesticides have long been proven to cause detrimental impacts on human health as they are absorbed into waterways and wind up in our tap water.
Even without chemical treatments, lawns themselves can still have negative impacts on the environment. In major flooding events, grassy lawns’ shallow root systems allow water to rip through the area. This not only contributes to runoff into local water systems; it also increases the risk of erosion and property damage.
Bottom line: It’s time to rethink your lawn. Green grassy turf is harmful to the environment and to your pocket book. Plant native, flood resistant plants with deep root systems that can weather periods of both storms and drought, and also aid in water purification.
Source: National Wildlife Federation blog. https://blog.nwf.org/topics/garden-habitats/
Replace Your Gym Workout: Garden
June 10, 2023
Gardening is a great example of a popular hobby that can also be used as a workout. Research has shown that working in the garden is a source of moderate to vigorous activity in younger adults, and low to moderate physical activity in older adults. Gardening not only strengthens muscles, as a physical activity it has one of the lowest injury rates.
Puttering in your garden just two hours a week can help boost your mood, while communal gardening provides social benefits that can alleviate stress and help combat isolation and even dementia, according to studies.
Gardening engages all the muscle groups in arms, legs, shoulders, back, and abdomen. It improves mobility, helps build endurance, and is a comparable workout to walking or Pilates.
Start with a warm-up, doing various stretches. Even though gardening may not appear strenuous, using the body in new ways can make you stiff if you don’t work up to the movement and prepare by limbering up a little. In addition to stretching, going for a short walk before you begin gardening can also serve as a warm-up. Remember, while working in your garden or yard it’s important to bend at the knees to lift heavy objects, and pace yourself if you’re new at it.
Once you’ve got some experience working in your garden or yard, you can ramp things up for more of a challenge. If you’ve purchased a flat of flowers, for example, bring them to the backyard one at a time. When it’s time to mow the lawn, increase the pace of your mowing or switch to a push mower. For some strength training, fill two large watering cans, then carry them around your yard to water plants.
It’s Planting Time
By Linda Mason Hunter
May 1, 2023
The volatility of climate change has left its mark on my Iowa garden this spring. Five warm, sunny days in early April found me in the aisles of my favorite garden center, stocking up on this year’s garden, going a bit overboard, I’m afraid. Garden centers in springtime are like a candy store for me. Thankfully, I have a cold frame to shelter these babies from the cold snap that quickly made our faux spring a faint memory.
I vowed this year to plant more flowers, fewer veggies, but quickly broke that promise with eight fledgling tomato plants, four different varieties of peppers, and a whole raised bed dedicated to salad fixings (seeds planted two weeks ago and little green shoots already peeking up). That still leaves room for two wild flower gardens, a sage garden, a culinary bed, zinnias and sunflowers. May 10th is our last frost date here in Zone 5. We’ll see if that holds this year, as it has most years.
As usual, I can’t wait to dig in the rich, black Iowa soil, as my ancestors did before me. There’s something especially nourishing about mornings spent in the garden, and after a typical Iowa winter I’m ready. Oh so ready.
Putting Your Garden to Bed for the Winter: Ten Steps
September 21, 2022
For Wildlife, Create a Messy Garden
February 1, 2021
Traditional yard maintenance, especially when synthetic chemicals are involved, discourage wildlife from inhabiting your property. A sustainable lifestyle seeks to be in balance with nature, living side-by-side with other transient beings on Planet Earth. Here’s some tips on how to encourage wildlife by creating a messy yard and garden.
* Leave your leaves on the property
* Allow the gorgeous dried flower heads to stay standing in your garden
* Let the grass grow tall and seed
* Build a brush pile with fallen branches instead of removing them
* Forget the chemicals
* Leave snags on your property
* Delay garden clean-up until spring, after several 50 days, which allows overwintering pollinators to “wake-up” for spring and move on.
Get Rid of Your Lawn
December, 2019
Recent studies have raised alarms about the large-scale loss of insects and what it means for the planet. Since the massive decline in honeybee populations was first reported in 2006, there is so much we still don’t know about insects and the role they play for other forms of life.
One thing we do know is that Earth depends on them. Insects feed the world in everything we eat. Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate one-third of all food crops consumed by humans. Insects serve as food for many mammals and birds, which eat an estimated 550 million tons of insects each year. There are so many connections between insects and nature that we haven’t even begun to appreciate. We usually find out when they go missing, which is not the best way to find out.
An increase in the use of toxic pesticides has played a significant role in the plight facing insects today, but habitat loss linked to climate change is the main culprit. What exactly can the average person do about all of this?
Get rid of your lawn, for one. Lawns are total biological deserts. It’s just grass with pesticides and does not support a lot of biodiversity. Instead, plant native flowers that provide nectar and pollen for pollinators.
Another tip: Leave leaf litter in place. Dead plant material is an important part of healthy soil and offers protection for insects during the winter.
Also, don’t use bug zappers, which do not work in killing mosquitoes but do kill hundreds of beneficial species.
Source: “Fearing the ‘Insect Apocalypse’? Get Rid of Your Lawn,” by Alex Ruppenthal, WTTW, October 2, 2019. https://news.wttw.com/2019/10/02/fearing-insect-apocalypse-renowned-entomologist-says-get-rid-your-lawn
How to Compost
January, 2020
A complete thorough guide to composting. You can do it your own backyard.
https://www.johnquinnrealestate.com/home-composting-guide/
25 Things You Should Start Adding to Your Compost Pile
By Margaret Badore. https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/25-things-you-should-start-adding-your-compost-pile.html?utm_source=TreeHugger+Newsletters&utm_campaign=89b91812fd-
9 Herbs to Help Deter Insects
March, 2019
1. SAGE: To fend off cabbage moths and carrot rust flies. Plant next to cabbage, and carrots; keep away from cucumbers.
2. ROSEMARY: Deters cabbage moths, carrot rust flies, and Mexican bean beetles. Plant near cabbage, beans, and carrots.
3. DILL: Another option for repelling cabbage moths – but keep away from carrots. The Spruce explains that dill is good for attracting attracting beneficial insects and is a host plant for black swallowtail butterflies, noting, "you will lose a little dill while the larvae feed, but they are not around for long and the butterflies are lovely."
4. BASIL: Is offensive to asparagus beetle and the tomato hornworm.
5. CHIVES: Aphids and Japanese beetles do not like chives, also good to plant near carrots. Be careful here though, chives spread quickly (not a problem in my garden because we eat them up).
6. PARSLEY: Repels asparagus beetles. Good to plant near asparagus, corn, and tomatoes.
7. OREGANO: Repels cabbage moths; is a kind companion to all vegetables.
8. MINT: Deters aphids, cabbage moths, and ants. Also good to plant near tomatoes.
9. THYME: Deters cabbage worm.
Herbicides Breed Superweeds
March, 2018
The rampant use of agricultural chemicals is creating superweeds that laugh in the face of industrial chemicals, according to researchers at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Scientists exploring the unnerving case of herbicide-resistant weeds, concluded that herbicides can no longer control the weeds that threaten crop productivity and food security because plants have evolved resistance.
Results of the study suggested that resistance is primarily driven by intensity of herbicide exposure. They also found that when farmers switched the chemicals or applied them cyclically, resistance still endured, despite those being common strategies for preventing the evolution of resistance.
The bottom line is that current strategies of weed control are not working. We need to be using other methods to keep weeds from threatening food supplies. Farmers and gardeners need to switch to weed-management strategies that rely less on herbicides, as it is inevitable that weeds will overcome even new chemical agents.
More information about the study can be found at: https://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-agriculture/more-herbicides-used-weeds-stronger-they-become.html
Source: “The more herbicides used on weeds, the stronger weeds become,” by Melissa Breyer, Feb. 15, 2018. Treehugger.com.
Recipe for a Flowering Bee Lawn
May, 2017
What's a flowering bee lawn? I can hear your question over the ether.
A flowering lawn differs from a traditional lawn in having flowering plants as well as turf grasses. While traditional lawns are usually managed for uniform stands of only grass, flowering plants (often considered weeds) provide several benefits, including increased resilience to environmental pressures, natural diversity that benefits insects and other animals, and the beauty of the flowers themselves. Whether introduced or native, many weeds provide pollen, nectar, or both to foraging bees throughout the year.
These days bees need all the help they can get. Not only are they losing their habitat due to industrial agricultural practices, colony collapse disorder (most likely tied to pesticide use) is destroying the bee population at a rapid rate.
What's the sustainable answer? Develop a flowering a lawn. Don't pull those dandelions. Learn to live with Creeping Charlie. Sow wildflower seeds, and don't mow so often.
For more info: https://www.beelab.umn.edu/sites/beelab.umn.edu/files/floweringlawninfoenrtflogo.pdf
A Beginner’s Guide to Companion Gardening
November 11, 2021
Companion planting, or the art of utilizing herb plants to benefit the garden, has been in practice for a long time and is definitely not a new idea. Native Americans used the “3 Sisters” method, our ancestors used herbs to help vegetable gardens produce heavier harvests, and today gardeners all over have modified this practice through observations, studies and experimenting with different herbs.
A few herbs added to your garden will provide you many of the basic benefits. The main factor you should consider is what your garden needs. Does your garden require lots of moisture? Direct sunlight? Do you grow a vegetable garden or flower garden? Follow this guide in your garden, and you’ll know how and what to grow.
Plants You Should Always Grow
Side-By-Side
May, 2017
Companion plants are those that benefit each other, prevent pest problems, and use garden space efficiently. The benefits of planting sweet corn with beans have long been known to traditional gardeners. The beans attract beneficial insects that prey on corn, and bean vines climb up the corn stalks. But what should you plant with strawberries to make a more attractive bed? What do organic gardeners plant with spinach to repel bugs from eating the leafs? The experts at Rodale Press have the answers. Read on.
http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/26-plants-you-should-always-grow-side-by-side
For more companion plants, check out The Farmers Almanac guide to companion plantings: http://www.almanac.com/content/companion-planting-chart-plant-list-10-top-vegetables
The Problem with Mason Jars
March, 2018
This is news I hated to hear. I use Mason jars for a slew of practical applications, in addition to canning garden vegetables in the fall. But, as with so many products in our industrial age, there are a couple of problems with Mason jars.
I just found out that the white undercoating on the lids contains bisphenol A, or BPA, a known hormone disruptor that leaches into food it comes into contact with. Lids with an alternative plastic coating are also problematic.
Secondly, the screw-top ring is made of tin-plated steel that is not water-resistent, and therefore prone to rust if it comes into contact with moisture or food.
Stainless steel lids aren’t the answer for canning because they do not pop to preserve food like the tin-planted rings do. Likewise, glass jars with bamboo lids are fine for transporting food or microwaving, but not for canning.
The good news is there are alternatives for canning.
Weck Jars—spelled WECK—have rubber sealing rings and glass lids held on by stainless steel clips.
Le Parfait Jars are similar to Weck, with lids held on with a metal hinge and clasp.
Quattro Stagioni Jars, made in Italy, are probably safe, as well, though not officially approved by the USDA.
So, to be safe, don’t use Mason jars for canning. Use alternatives, instead.
Source: “The problem with Mason jars,” by Katherine Martinko, Sept. 12, 2017. https://www.treehugger.com/green-home/problem-mason-jars.html
Keep bird Feeders and Bird Baths Clean
November, 2024
The issue of bird flu is getting a moment. The worry is that it will spread to mammals, including humans. In the past, pigs have become co-infected with avian flu and human flu viruses. When this happens, the viruses can exchange genes, leading to the creation of hybrid versions that might be able to spread more easily to humans. Experts believe this phenomenon triggered the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic that infected as much as one-fifth of the world’s population and killed around 284,000 people.
This year a farm in Oregon had an outbreak of avian flu among its flock of poultry. That outbreak infected one pig on the farm. So far, there is no evidence of pig-to-pig transmission, which would be an ominous development.
How should avid bird lovers protect themselves? Here’s the skinny:
While avian flu is widespread among wild bird species, less than 2 percent of cases have been in songbirds and other typical visitors to bird feeders. Health officials have not recommended taking down bird feeders except for people who keep domestic poultry as part of a backyard flock. If you have bird feeders and bird baths, clean them regularly. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after touching the feeders. And avoid direct contact with birds. Do not handle sick or dead birds. Common Herbicides Dangerous to Humans.
Source: “The Checkup with Dr. Wen,” published by The Washington Post.
Roundup Very Harmful to Human Health
September, 2024
Over the last ten years studies on Roundup, which uses the herbicide glyphosate, has increasingly pointed to the fact that it is very harmful to human health.
Glyphosate, the most heavily used herbicide in the U.S., is a systemic, broad-spectrum herbicide that kills things not genetically modified to resist it. The World Health Organization says that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has added it to its list of chemicals known to cause cancer.
Here’s a brief summary of what consumers should know before using Roundup on gardens or crops.
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/pesticides/roundup/
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/pesticides/roundup/glyphosate/
Another herbicide, Dachtel, banned in 2024, has been linked to serious birth defects and other health risks, especially in children exposed during pregnancy. Many people may be unaware of Dacthal exposure because it can remain at dangerously high levels on crops, golf courses and sports fields for nearly a month after application.
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/dacthal-pesticide/
Forever Chemicals Found in Home Fertilizers
By Olivia Rosane for Eco Watch
June 1, 2021
From the looks of it, "forever chemicals” could also be called "everywhere chemicals." Toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAs) have shown up in everything from drinking water to mothers’ milk. And, most recently, in the fertilizers home gardeners use to grow food.
A report published in June by the Ecology Center and the Sierra Club tested home fertilizers made from sewage waste for PFAs and found the chemicals in all nine of the fertilizers they tested. Further, eight of the nine fertilizers contained PFAs at levels greater than the limit set by the state of Maine, which currently has the toughest regulations for PFAs concentration in agriculture.
Spreading biosolids or sewage sludge where we grow food means some PFAs will get in the soil, some will be taken up by plants, then if the plants are eaten that’s a direct route into your body.
PFAs are chemicals used by a variety of industries to make products resistant to stains, water, or grease. Their wide use is a problem because they persist in the environment and have been linked to health impacts including cancer, birth defects, and liver disease.
The report tested nine fertilizers containing "biosolids" that are sold at nationwide chains including Lowe's, The Home Depot and Ace Hardware. The researchers tested the products for 33 PFA compounds and found 24 of these in at least one product. Further, between 14 and 20 different PFA compounds were found in every fertilizer. The affected products were:
1. Cured Bloom (Washington, DC)
2. TAGRO Mix (Tacoma, Washington)
3. Milorganite 6-4-0 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
4. Pro Care Natural Fertilizer (Madison, Georgia)
5. EcoScraps Slow-Release Fertilizer (Las Vegas, Nevada)
6. Menards Premium Natural Fertilizer (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
7. GreenEdge Slow Release Fertilizer (Jacksonville, Florida)
8. Earthlife Natural Fertilizer (North Andover, Massachusetts)
9. Synagro Granulite Fertilizer Pellets (Sacramento area, California)
As the list makes clear, many of these products are listed as natural or have names implying they are eco-friendly. Home gardeners can protect themselves, however, by avoiding products containing biosolids altogether.
"Sewage sludge cannot be used as a fertilizer on certified organic crops, so if you wish to keep your home garden organic, use fertilizers and composts that are not made from sewage waste," Sierra Club Michigan legislative and political director Christy McGillivray said in a press release.
Source: Eco Watch, “Forever Chemicals Found in Home Fertilizers,” by Olivia Rosane; June 1, 2021.
Keep Plastic Out of Your Garden and Out of Your Food
April 24, 2021
You might worry about pesticides in the food you eat, but what about plastic? I hate to add to your worries, but physiologists are finding that an alarming amount of plastic is contaminating farmland in the U.S. Researchers report that three times as much plastic is accumulating in farm soils than in our oceans!
It’s a little-known fact that modern industrial agriculture uses millions of tons of plastic each year, including as mulch on row crops, greenhouse covers, microplastics in processed sewage sludge used as a fertilizer, and protective seed coatings. Breaking down into micro and nano particles, the chemicals affect the water-holding capacity of soil and plants; appear to kill beneficial microbes and earthworms; and absorb lead, poisons, and carcinogens. And, yes, the plastic passes into the roots, leaves, and fruit of food plants so, of course, the creatures that eat the plants eat the plastic content. Scientists find that apples and other perennials seem to accumulate the most particles, but the contamination is also detected in annual crops of vegetables, honey, and even beer.
More evidence that the need is not more recycling of plastic, but less plastic.
Source: The Lowdown, March-April 2021, written by Jim Hightower, former agriculture commissioner of Texas and feisty populist columnist who has been fighting the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought to Be for over four decades.
Time to Plan Your Summer Garden
January 11, 2021
I’m a dedicated gardener. Each spring, as I plunge my bare hands into the pitch black soil of my backyard raised beds to assess if it’s time to plant, I feel the presence of my grandmothers and great grandmothers who tended the land before me. Gardening ties me to my ancestors, to nature, and to planet earth, the source of all things beneficial for life.
The cold, bleak days of January and February are the perfect time to peruse colorful seed catalogs and plan that summer’s gardens. Each year I add something new. And each year I learn more about how to live sustainably on this planet I call home.
Here are a couple of tips (compliments of The New York Times) I’m following for this summer’s garden:
Add one new sustainable method to your gardening routine
When it comes to gardening, working in harmony with nature instead of fighting it will improve the health of your soil, increase the bounty from your garden, and minimize negative effects on the environment — as well as cut down on your stress. There are many sustainable practices you can use to increase your gardening enjoyment. For example, you can resolve to eliminate chemical fertilizers. Or, install one or more rain barrels to capture rain runoff from the roof. Or, you can start using a drip or soaker hose that would put water directly on the plant root zone rather than broadcasting it to unintended places from an oscillating sprinkler.
By adding one new sustainable method to your gardening routine this year you’ll be one step closer to living in balance with nature and reducing your carbon footprint.
Reduce Your Lawn Area
Lawns are high-maintenance money pits. If you replace some of your grass with shrubs, perennials, or even vegetables, you’ll spend less time behind the lawnmower and less money fertilizing, watering during droughts, and re-seeding in the spring or fall. You can even begin this project as soon as the snow melts by organically killing a portion of your lawn. All you have to do is select an area of grass and smother it with compost and aged manure or “burn it up” by solarizing it under plastic sheets. By spring, the area should be ready for planting and mulching.
It's a fun project and gives you another garden to play with.
Plant Clover
August, 2019
Want to make your yard more sustainable and wildlife friendly, but still want a soft patch of grass to play on? Plant clover!
Clover doesn’t need to be mowed, watered, weeded or fertilized, and it’s softer to walk on than grass. Meanwhile, it improves the soil, attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficial bugs for your garden.
If you don’t want so many white flowers in your patch of green, no problem. Over the last decade a new variety of white clover called microclover has become the trend across Europe and is just becoming a thing in the United States. The microclovers are smaller, don’t grow so many flowers and have softer stems for sitting and walking on.
You can either mix clover in with your current grass or have a completely clover-filled lawn. As a compromise, plant native wildflowers, bushes and trees around a plot of clover on the edges of your property line. If enough people did this, our yards could serve as corridors for wildlife to move back and forth between parks and other natural areas nearby.
Biodegradable vs. Compostable: The Difference, Pros & Cons
March 13, 2021
Excerpted from Treehugger.com, “Biodegradable vs. Compostable: What's the Difference?” by Kiah Treece, Feb. 21, 2021.
In order to make truly planet-friendly choices, it’s important to understand the difference between the terms “biodegradable” and “compostable.”
The term “biodegradable” refers to any material that can be broken down by microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, and assimilated into the natural environment. It’s a naturally occurring process wherein the original product degrades into simple components like biomass, carbon dioxide, and water. The process can occur with or without oxygen, but takes less time when oxygen is present—like when a leaf pile in your yard breaks down over the course of a season.
Biodegradation can take anywhere from a few days (for vegetable scraps) to 500 or more years (like for a plastic bag). Variables like temperature and the presence of water, light, and oxygen affect the speed of degradation. Most landfills have little light, air, and moisture thus slowing the biodegradation process.
The term “compostable” refers to a product that can biodegrade with the aid of humans to provide water, oxygen, sunlight, and organic matter. This process takes between a few months to three years, depending on the conditions.
Residential vs. Commercial Composting
If you’re trying to reduce your environmental impact, compostable items are a good option. Just make sure you know the right conditions to facilitate the process.
If you’re considering purchasing a product that claims to be compostable, make sure to read the label. Some require commercial composting that won’t break down in an at-home compost bin.
Residential composting involves mixing food scraps and yard waste in a bin or heap, and periodically turning the mixture over to promote its breakdown into basic organic matter and used for garden mulch. For that reason, you won’t be able to break down things like meat, cheese, and fish in a residential bin—there won’t be enough heat produced, and it may start to smell and attract critters.
Commercial composting involves screening and sorting materials into organics and inorganics, then breaking them down with chippers and grinders. Not all cities offer commercial composting, so you don’t want to choose a compostable product only to find out you can’t actually compost it.
What About Bioplastic?
Unlike conventional, petroleum-based plastic, bioplastics are plant-based and thus have a lower carbon footprint. They’re made from materials like corn starch, cellulose, and soy, and are both biodegradable and compostable. When properly composted, they break down into non-toxic carbon dioxide, biomass, and water, but that takes a long time. Not something you want to put into an at-home compost heap.
In many ways bioplastics are an improvement over conventional plastics, but they can still have a negative impact on the environment if they’re not disposed of properly. As always, the best option is to reduce your consumption, reuse what you already have, and avoid single-use products as much as possible.
Sources: https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/whats-difference-biodegradable-compostable/; https://www.treehugger.com/biodegradable-compostable-difference-5094376.
Do Not Feed Hummers Red Nectar
June, 2017
Spring has sprung in my hometown and with it the welcome arrival of hummingbirds. I love to see these high-energy creatures buzz around my garden. In order to keep them healthy and flying about, please don't feed them red dye nectar. It's harmful. Stores shouldn't sell it. It makes the birds so sick they pee red and can’t fly.
There is no need to dye the nectar red. Flower pollen is clear. The solution is easy: Attract hummers with a colorful red feeder and fill it with sugar water you make yourself.
Check the feeder every day. Cloudy nectar indicates bacteria, which is harmful. Discard nectar, clean the feeder and add fresh clear nectar. Black residue indicates mold, which is harmful. Discard nectar, clean the feeder and add fresh clear nectar. Add fresh nectar every two or three days.
Clear Sugar Water Nectar
• Boil 4 cups water for 3 minutes
• Stir in 1 cup pure granulated sugar
• Cool to room temperature
• Store remaining mix in fridge for 7 to 10 days.
- Do not substitute sugar. Do not add red nectar, red dye, honey or anything else.
- Boiling water not only kills most bacteria and viruses, it also removes other microorganisms and chemicals.
- If you choose to use non-boiled water, discard all nectar after 24 hours.
Recommended Feeder Schedule
• 70°-84°F: Clean feeder and replace nectar every 3 days
• 85°-87°F: Clean feeder and replace nectar every 2 days
• 88°F and up: Clean feeder and replace nectar every single day.
Hydrate Your Bees
June, 2017
Bees are in trouble, dying by the thousands from a plague associated with garden and agricultural chemicals. They need our help in order to survive and pollinate the plants we depend on for survival.
One way we can help is to make sure they have a healthy source of water to drink from. To help hydrate our little pollinators, set up a water feeder by filling a pie pan with marbles and then water. The marbles give the bees a spot to land so that they don’t drown when they come to drink. It costs pennies, and will be fun to watch and tend to your bees.
Source: http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/make-bee-waterer-help-hydrate-pollinators.html?t=CHH
Keep Monsanto Out of Your Garden
January, 2019
Four ways to keep Monsanto out of your home garden.
