Insects form the basis of any ecosystem as wildlife, birds, lizards, and amphibians all depend on each other to survive. Just like John Muir said, “When we try to pick something out for ourselves, we find it connected to everything else in the universe.”
Given that organizations like Napa Wildlife Rescue are raising concerns about songbird extinction due to bird droppings and salivary diseases in crowded birdhouses and bird baths, be sure to check out an abundance of seed-producing flowers such as black-eyed susans, zinnia, delphinium, sage, Coreopsis, Blazing Star, Sunflower and Coneflower. Then make sure that the withered flowers with their fertile seeds are naturally there for the birds.
With the diversity of pollinators such as birds, bees, wasps, ants comes the need for a diversity of habitats. Don’t think about your grandmother’s well-tended garden, but one with a lot of variety and texture in the form of shrubs, flowers and trees that offer a selection of nectar and pollen sources, as well as nesting sites and perches for birds.
When planning a garden, think about blooms for each spring, summer, and fall season. “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” suggests planning a pollinator strip along with a vegetable garden and setting up a “bee hotel” to encourage these hardworking creatures.
Bright yellows and oranges, such as those found in sunflowers and marigolds, attract useful lacewings, praying mantises and ladybugs, all of which love to eat garden pests. If possible, choose native plants as native plants, along with insects, wildlife, and bird species, are adapted to the area in which they evolved.
