3 Things you can do in the fall to help pollinators

We all know pollinators are important around the world, but how can we help the pollinators in our piece of the world in Pennsylvania? There are some specific actions that you can take this fall and moving forward to help these important insects survive winter and get back to business in the spring. Here are three ideas we’ve researched and listed out here that may help pollinators in Central Pennsylvania.

1. Leave the leaves

Fallen leaves are an important habitat for ground bees, butterflies, moths, etc. They use the leaves to burrow and nest in the winter. Instead of raking or using your leaf blower on your whole yard and property, leave spots of leaves. An article posted last October, “Leaf it Alone: Fall tips to help overwintering pollinators” says that the practice of leaving leaves in your yard “preserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds, helps return essential nutrients to the soil, and reduces waste in landfills.” This is an all-around good way to help pollinator in the fall. Some insects even use leaves to lay eggs, which can be beneficial in your yard in the spring to help combat aphids.

2. Plant native wildflowers

Wildflowers and native insects/pollinators go together. The insects rely on wildflowers as a source of food and wildflowers are then pollinated by the insects. Because native wildflowers are hearty and thrive well in Pennsylvania, they are an important source for our pollinators in the early spring (such as dandelion and clover) till other plants fully bloom through the summer months. By planting wildflowers, you will be helping pollinators, drawing them to your property, which will help your own garden.

According to one article, “fall is the best time to get perennial plants in the ground so they have time over winter to develop robust root systems that help them survive through the dry summer months.”

Plant your plants this fall and see the positive effect next spring and summer!

3. Avoid overuse of pesticides

Not only in the fall season, but from summer through fall pesticides can have a negative effect on insect that you don’t intend to fight. Plant diseases and invasive species don’t have to translate to collateral damage to other forms of life that are important. By using treatments that are specific to the needs of your trees and plants when fighting invasive species or diseases, you can save your trees and plants. You can also allow pollinators the chance to thrive spring though fall. Contact Cutting Edge Tree Professionals, and let us help you come up with a specified health care treatment plan that helps both plants and pollinators thrive.

Contact CETP for help and support

To contact Cutting Edge Tree Professionals, use this online form or call us at 814-201-9757. We’re here to steward nature well and want to see life thrive. By caring for our pollinators, we will have healthier plants and trees moving forward. Contact us today with questions and support for getting your property in a good place this fall.

 

 

Sources:

https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/10/leaf-it-alone-fall-tips-to-help-overwintering-pollinators.html

https://www.sierraclub.org/toiyabe/blog/2020/09/three-things-you-can-do-fall-for-pollinator-friendly-garden-spring

https://beehealth.bayer.us/bayer-news-and-resources/newsletters/fall-2017/5-tips-to-make-pollinators-fall-for-your-garden