November is a great time to analyze your gardens and improve the quality of life for birds and insects during the winter months. There are several simple procedures to follow to become a responsible gardener while providing food, water and shelter for our feathered friends and insects during the coldest season.
Don’t be too concerned about removing everything from your garden in the fall. When we maintain a clean and tidy garden, we often remove natural materials and features that would otherwise provide nesting habitats for birds, bees and other insects. Mow the leaves in the fall so they can be used as mulch on lawns and gardens. The leaves produce organic matter and return nitrogen and carbon to the soil.
When cutting back perennials with hollow or pithy stems, leave at least half of the stem where native bees may winter during the winter months. Thirty percent of native bees are cavity breeders. These bees lay their eggs in nesting chambers in hollow, pithy stems. In addition, some beneficial insects lay their eggs in hollow stems for safety and protection.
Resist the temptation to clean the base of the flower beds. Seventy percent of native bees are ground-nesting and lay their eggs in burrows just below the surface. They need leaves and plant debris to build their nests. Some ground-nesting bees are among the earliest to emerge in spring, making them important pollinators of cherries, plums, peaches, apples, and other fruits. Bumblebees have declined by 90% in the last 20 years. These bees are beneficial because they are excellent pollinators. Bumblebees also need leaf cover for protection in winter. Many other beneficial insects build tunnels in the leaves during the winter.
It is vitally important to provide nesting and shelter areas where birds are protected from the elements and predators. Providing a variety of plant material, which includes native evergreen and deciduous trees, vines, shrubs, herbaceous plants, grasses, and ground covers, allows wildlife to choose the right areas for their foraging, nesting, and shelter needs. Evergreens are especially valuable for winter cover and shelter. Pine, holly, juniper, and arborvitaes planted in dense layers provide thick cover and sturdy shelter. Some trees to consider are Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Red Bud (Cercis canadensis), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida).
Some shrubs that produce berries that the birds can enjoy in winter are winter berry (Ilex verricillata) and red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia). Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) attract insects, which in turn become a food source for birds. Seed pods on perennials such as purple coneflowers (Echinacea) and black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia) provide food for the birds in winter. Another reminder not to remove leaves from gardens. Not only do the decaying leaves provide free fertilizer by putting nitrogen back into the soil, they also harbor tiny insects and insect eggs that provide food for the birds.
Bird watching in the backyard can be very entertaining and relaxing during the winter months. The wildlife in your backyard is sure to keep you entertained with many different species of birds regularly flying to feeding stations. Place the feeding troughs where they can be easily seen from inside. Black oil sunflower seeds and tallow provide energy to help the birds through the cold winter nights. Remember that different bird species have different nutritional needs. Some prefer a hanging feeder while others require a tray feeder. Maintain the feeders by keeping them clean so the birds are protected from the spread of disease caused by moldy seeds. Children also enjoy watching the birds and their antics.
It is important to provide water for the birds in winter. A birdbath heater works very well in our garden to provide water for the birds even on the coldest winter days. Providing fresh water for the birds in winter can mean the difference between survival and the alternative. Remember how important it is to protect our wildlife and their environment. Clean the flower beds sparingly in the fall. Provide food, water and shelter for birds and insects. Remember that the life we see in spring and summer often lives in the fallen leaves and hollow stems left behind in fall and winter.
Introduction to floral design: Monday, Nov. 14, 7–9; You will learn how to take cut flowers from the supermarket and turn them into a beautiful arrangement. Students create their own arrangement to take home. To sign up, visit https://extension.psu.edu/introduction-to-floral-design.
Monday videos: Visit us on Facebook at Penn State Master Gardeners in Adams County to see our Master Gardeners’ Monday Videos. Current and relevant topics are discussed weekly to keep readers up to date on current horticultural issues.
Garden hotline: Gardeners answer garden questions on Wednesdays in autumn and winter. If you have a question or need gardening advice, email a master gardener at adamsmg@psu.edu. If possible, add photos.
Carolyn Black is a Pennsylvania State University master gardener from Adams County. Penn State Cooperative Extension of Adams County is located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Suite 204, Gettysburg, phone 334-6271.
