After several rough seasons of drought and brutal heat we’ve finally had some good rain. The pollinator count has been drastically low this year, but with these showers, the flowers are coming. We need to give bees, butterflies, and predatory insects a chance to rebound. Nobody else is going to do it.
Please consider skipping all pesticides this season, even the organic ones. Spraying, even with “natural” products like neem or spinosad, still kills the good guys. These sprays don’t know the difference between a ladybug and an aphid.
Instead, build your soil with compost and mulch, water well, and trust the process. Your plants will be stronger for it. If you’re dealing with pests, try introducing predatory insects. You can get them at local spots like Natural Gardener or Great Outdoors, or online at places like naturesgoodguys dot com. Encourage allies by planting trap crops like milkweed, leaving bird seed, and putting out water baths. Cardinals, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps will show up if you make space. I promise you! all of the critters in my photos are part of a huge team of helpers.
A healthy garden can regulate itself if we let it. I only ask you give it chance to do so.
by Abtarep