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Helping Pollinators in an Urban Environment

3/1/2021

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Why urban gardens are crucial for conserving bees and butterflies – and how you can help them

Maljalen/Shutterstock
Nicholas Tew, University of Bristol; Jane Memmott, University of Bristol, and Katherine Baldock, Northumbria University, Newcastle

As humans have industrialised farming to feed a growing global population, pollinators – animals vital for plant reproduction – have seen their food supply decline. In the UK, intensive agriculture has eroded biological diversity in large portions of the countryside, with vast swathes of cereal crops and ryegrass pastures now replacing flower-rich habitats.

For pollinators such as bees, hoverflies and butterflies, a loss of flowers means a loss of the nectar and pollen that makes up their food. A reduction in the diversity and quantity of this food is an important factor in the widespread decline of their population numbers.

However, pollinators may have an unlikely saviour: cities. Although traditionally regarded as ecological wastelands, urban landscapes can support diverse pollinator populations. Our new research, conducted with colleagues at the universities of Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Northumbria, Reading and the Royal Horticultural Society, investigated the nectar production in different urban areas to see how they compared with one another and with rural habitats.

We found that urban areas are not so bleak after all. They offer comparable resources to rural habitats, with gardens providing nectar-rich oases to support our pollinating insects.

Urban potential

In the UK, 83% of the population now live in an urban area. These landscapes are complex patchworks of different land uses, from green spaces like parks and gardens to pavements and car parks.

For our study, we measured how much nectar flower species make, by sampling in a range of urban environments including private and botanical gardens, allotments and road verges. We also made use of other published studies on nectar production in order to compare our findings with the nectar quantity and diversity of rural areas.

Tortoiseshell butterfly feeding on clustered purple buddleia flowers
Buddleia is a valuable source of nectar for butterflies. Linda Bestwick/Shutterstock

Measuring nectar is fiddly work, but it is fascinating to see how flowers have evolved different strategies for supplying insects with their reward. Using a thin glass capillary tube, roughly mimicking a bee’s tongue, we extracted nectar and measured its volume – sometimes less than a hundredth of a raindrop.

Next, we needed to work out the sugar concentration, which we achieved using a refractometer. This clever piece of equipment, commonly used by brewers, measures the amount light bends when passing through a solution and tells you how much sugar is dissolved. Nectar can be 60% sugar by weight – the equivalent of putting 100 spoonfuls in your cup of tea. After repeating this process on more than three thousand flowers, we were able to scale our nectar calculations up to look at entire sampled habitats.

Our findings suggest that urban landscapes are hotspots of nectar diversity. This means that there are more kinds of flowering plant producing nectar in towns and cities than in the farmland and nature reserve sites we measured. Just like in humans, a balanced diet is important for keeping pollinators healthy, helping them to fight off diseases.

On top of that, flowers have different colours, smells, shapes and sizes, and pollinators vary in their preferences. For example, butterflies like to feed from thin, tubular flowers with a sweet fragrance, like buddleia, but hoverflies need easily-accessible nectar, like that found in carrot flowers. Knowing that urban landscapes provide an especially diverse array of flowering plants is important as it means they have the potential to support a wide range of pollinator species.

The importance of gardens

Spaces within towns and cities differ greatly in the amount of energy-rich nectar they produce. For a given area, residential gardens make a similar quantity to allotments, but four times as much as public parks. Overall, because gardens are both nectar-rich and extremely widespread – covering around 30% of urban land – they produced an average of 85% of all the nectar in the four towns and cities we surveyed (Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and Reading).

Pots filled with flowers and plants against garden brick wall.
Urban gardens are oases for pollinators. L. Feddes/Shutterstock

This means that eight or nine out of every ten grams of urban nectar comes from someone’s garden. It is no exaggeration to say that gardens are critical for the food supply of pollinators in our towns and cities. The decisions every gardener makes about their garden matter for the conservation of bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Here’s how to maximise the benefit of your garden space in a few simple steps:

  1. Choose pollinator-friendly species, such as thistles, lavender and oregano, for your garden. The RHS Plants for Pollinators lists are a great help.

  2. Ensure there is always something in flower, from early spring to late autumn and onwards into winter. Hellebores and grape hyacinths are wonderful for the early spring, while ivy and mahonia keep the nectar flowing as the cold weather draws in.

  3. Mow the lawn less often, even just in a small patch, as this allows dandelions, clovers and other plants to flower.

  4. Avoid pesticides. Pollinators can ingest these poisons when they feed from flowers.

  5. Cover as much of your garden as possible in flowery borders and natural lawns, rather than paving and decking. Pots, hanging baskets and window boxes can further supplement the food supply.

Nicholas Tew, PhD Candidate in Community Ecology, University of Bristol; Jane Memmott, Professor of Ecology, University of Bristol, and Katherine Baldock, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Northumbria University, Newcastle

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Spring Blooming Clematis

3/1/2021

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To add some vertical interest to your garden, clematis is my favorite choice. Growing up a trellis, covering a fence, twisting up some tree trunks, or even as a ground cover, clematis offer vigorous growth with the addition of colorful flowers. There are actually 3 types of clematis based upon their growth characteristics:
type A - blooms on old wood in the spring
type B - can bloom on both old and new wood
type C - blooms on new wood later in the summer

Since our winters are so long, I do appreciate plants that can provide flowers in the spring. There are two type A species of clematis, C. alpina and C. macropetala that are suitable choices for Calgary gardens. In addition, these clematis are more shade tolerant than type B and C clematis. Since they bloom on old wood, they should not be pruned like most perennials. Instead, only remove any dead branches as required. A very low maintenance plant!

Here is a plant trials bulletin from The Royal Horticultural Society that provides details on the various cultivars of C. alpina and C. macropetala. 

RHS Plant Trials Bulletin - C. alpina and C. macropetala
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A Literature Review of Soil Myths

12/3/2020

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I have been apprehensive about writing a blog on fertilizing gardens, because it is a complex subject. In addition, there are so many untruths about gardening practices that people truly believe. I strive to share and use evidence-based practices for clients citing articles written by horticultural scientists (PhD level), and ask that you question any conflicting information you receive from the following sources:
  • garden centres focused on selling product where staff may not have any horticultural qualifications
  • community garden clubs
  • authors of gardening books without appropriate qualifications
  • the internet
  • other landscaping companies
One goal of mine is to engage in sustainable gardening and stop the spread of misinformation (as this misinformation does not contribute to sustainable gardening). 

Attached is the latest review of six soil myths. One of the bottom lines is do NOT fertilize without a soil test. Mismanagement of soil can be problematic in so many ways. Don't be tempted to participate in damaging practices. 

​Soil Myth Busting for Extension Educators: Reviewing the Literature on Soil Nutrition
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Grasscycling and Leafcycling - Mother Nature's Preference

10/10/2020

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As I look out my back door, my entire yard is awash with fallen leaves. A tapestry of yellow. Am I going to spend time gathering up and bagging these leaves? Absolutely not! Instead, I will follow Mother Nature's lead and return them to the soil. 

Grasscycling: Reference - https://www.calgary.ca/uep/wrs/recycling-information/residential-services/organics-recycling/grasscycling.html

Leave grass clippings on the lawn
Leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing is the natural way of breaking down grass, also known as grasscycling or grass mulching. The next time you mow the lawn, try leaving clippings on the lawn rather than putting them in your green cart or in paper yard waste bags.

It’s good for your lawn
  • Grass clippings will quickly break down, returning nutrients to the soil. 
  • Clippings help protect the soil and increase soil health by keeping moisture in the ground.
It’s good for you
  • Saves you time and energy collecting and disposing of clippings in the green cart, bagging in paper yard waste bags and lifting bags of grass.
  • Saves you money by reducing the need for paper yard waste bags.
  • Saves you water and fertilizer, as your lawn will stay more hydrated from the clippings.
It’s good for the environment
  • Saves space in your green cart, so the cart doesn’t fill up as quickly and reduces the need for paper yard waste bags. 
  • Reduces the amount of waste put out for collection and processing, and helps keep our operations running more efficiently.
  • Grass clippings are good in the compost facility, but it’s even better when it’s left on your lawn.

​How to leave clippings on the lawn
Cut grass when the surface is dry and keep mower blades sharp. Follow the 1/3 rule: mow your lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 your grass is cut. You may need to raise the height of your mower. This frequent mowing will produce short clippings that will break down quickly.
You can leave clippings on the lawn with almost any mower (push, electric or gas). Using your existing mower, remove the bag and leave the clippings on the lawn. 
Mulching mowers cut grass blades into small pieces, allowing the clippings to settle into your lawn without clumping. They are sold at most yard and garden stores, nurseries and home supply stores.

Common questions about leaving clippings on the lawn
Will leaving grass clippings make my lawn less attractive?
Leaving clippings can actually produce a healthier looking lawn. It is important to cut the lawn frequently to produce small clippings that will decompose quickly.

Does leaving grass clippings cause thatch?
Grass roots are the primary cause of thatch, not grass clippings. Thatch is made up of roots, stems, rhizomes and other plant materials. These materials contain large amounts of lignin (fibrous material) and decompose slowly. Grass clippings are about 80-85 per cent water with only small amounts of lignin, and break down rapidly.

Does leaving grass clippings spread lawn disease?
Poor watering and fertilizing has a much greater impact on the spread of grass disease than leaving clippings on the lawn. If a desirable environment for grass disease is present, infestation will occur whether clippings are collected or not.

Leafcycling:
Mow over the fallen leaves with a mulching lawnmower and leave them as they fall to enrich the lawn. If you don't have a mulching lawnmower, a regular mower will do however, you may have to mow 2-3 times to chop the leaves finely. These finely chopped leaves can also be used on flower beds, and around shrubs and trees. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, an average-sized lawn can accommodate 150 bags of leaves.

A 20-year study by Michigan State University shows that leafcycling:
  • reduces the need for fertilizer in spring 
  • decreases weeds - a 100% reduction in dandelions and crabgrass after a 3-year period of leafcycling
​​​Mother Nature knows best.
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Storing Tender Bulbs Over Winter

9/26/2020

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As we approach the end of October, winter is on it's way. Some of you may have added tender bulbs to your garden such as gladiolus, dahlias, and canna lilies to name a few. As these plants will not survive a Calgary winter, they must be properly cleaned and stored to be planted again in the spring. This gives you the opportunity to multiply your garden stock by harvesting offsets and enjoy your favorite flowers year after year.

GardenGate Magazine has a comprehensive article on this topic:
​​
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Update on Glyphosate

6/26/2020

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An article just popped up on my news feed regarding the ongoing litigation in the United States about the herbicide glyphosate. This is something I use and recommend for aggressive perennial weeds in the garden. Unfortunately, there is some hysteria over the use of this product, which to date has not been backed by objective data. I direct you to the article I'm referring to as published in the Financial Post. 

business.financialpost.com/opinion/terence-corcoran-junk-science-extorts-10-billion-from-bayer

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Should We Amend Our Soil?

5/26/2019

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Frequently I have clients that have decided there is something wrong with their soil and we should dig it up and replace it or at least remove several inches of soil and add something to it to make it better. In Calgary, our soil is clay rich, which helps it retain moisture as well as nutrients. I usually recommend adding one inch of compost to flower beds if the soil is particularly heavy as compost can improve soil structure, drainage, and add nutrients.

Unfortunately there is now a lot of information/misinformation available to consumers about gardening practices. Some of these ideas are not based on science and frustrate me to no end. One of my favorite sources for information is The Garden Professors. Their mandate is to provide research-based information on creating and sustaining gardens and landscapes to the general public. I will direct you to their blog on amending soil for more information on this topic.

Amending Soils - Why??


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New Canadian Hardy Roses

4/16/2019

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Have I mentioned I love roses? Luckily enough, there are some cultivars that can grow well in Calgary. The Canadian Hardy National Rose Program develops winter hardy, disease resistant, low maintenance roses that have a long bloom period. 

For further details and photos of the Canadian Shield, Chinook Sunrise, and Aurora Borealis roses , click here.

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Shade Garden Design Ideas

5/9/2018

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Many gardens have areas of shade. Don't consider these areas to be wasted parts of the yard to be filled with gravel. There are many lovely ideas to brighten up these darker areas of the landscape. Here is an inspiring article from Better Homes and Gardens complete with gorgeous pictures! Contact me to help you implement these exciting plans.

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/solving-shade/shade-garden-design-ideas/


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Creeping Bellflower - A Noxious Weed

6/13/2017

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Many gardens I visit in Calgary have become invaded by creeping bellflower. In Alberta, this is classified as a Noxious weed which are regulated under the Alberta Weed Control Act. This pest is quite difficult to control and can quickly overtake your gardens and lawns. Vigilance is key.

For more information on how to identify and eradicate this thug, here is a fact sheet from the Alberta Invasive Species Council:

creepingbellflower_aisc.pdf
File Size: 736 kb
File Type: pdf
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