It's April and time to:
-Put out hummingbird feeders by April 1st.
-Watch for tent caterpillars on trees and open webs with poles or sticks to expose to birds. These will not kill the trees, but will weaken them since they will need to replace the eaten foliage.
-Watch for aphids on new growth and spray with a strong stream of water from a hose to dislodge. This may take a few times, but once knocked off, they usually don't go back. If these are on my rose buds, I usually just pinch them off. If neither of these methods work, spray insecticidal soap directly on insects to kill.
-Prune and fertilize azaleas and camellias after they bloom.
-I remove most of the buds on my peonies leaving just one or two per stem. I find that too many blooms lead to smaller flowers and too much weight for the stems. If removed when the buds are very small, they are easy to pinch off.
-It is usually safest to wait on planting warm season plants until after our average last frost date of April 15th. However many perennials can be planted earlier. Warm season vegetables such as tomatoes and basil which can be stunted by cool temperatures should be kept in a warm place at night until the end of the month. I take mine outside during the day until then so that they may gain some size.
-Plant summer flowering bulbs such as gladiolous every two weeks for a succession of bloom after April 15th.
-Pull dahlias out of winter storage and plant after April 15th. It is usually safe to put out other plants stored in containers indoors such as agapanthus as well. Remember to slowly acclimate them to the sun by giving them some shade until they begin to grow.
-It is usually safe to direct seed outdoors after April 20th. If too cool, they make take longer to germinate, but should not be harmed unless very cool weather occurs after they germinate.
-I like to enjoy my pansies until the first of May before changing out my annual beds for summer. However, I find that the best plant selection is in April, so I shop for my summer annuals in April and hold them until ready to plant. Annuals that need warmer temperatures such as lantana, cosmos and zinnias are usually not available until May. -Clean out dead or dying leaves on lambs ear to improve air circulation.
-As iris blooms fade, cut off the seed heads when finished blooming. If seeds are allowed to mature, it will take energy from plant growth and make a weaker plant.
-Watch for tent caterpillars on trees and open webs with poles or sticks to expose to birds. These will not kill the trees, but will weaken them since they will need to replace the eaten foliage.
-Watch for aphids on new growth and spray with a strong stream of water from a hose to dislodge. This may take a few times, but once knocked off, they usually don't go back. If these are on my rose buds, I usually just pinch them off. If neither of these methods work, spray insecticidal soap directly on insects to kill.
-Prune and fertilize azaleas and camellias after they bloom.
-I remove most of the buds on my peonies leaving just one or two per stem. I find that too many blooms lead to smaller flowers and too much weight for the stems. If removed when the buds are very small, they are easy to pinch off.
-It is usually safest to wait on planting warm season plants until after our average last frost date of April 15th. However many perennials can be planted earlier. Warm season vegetables such as tomatoes and basil which can be stunted by cool temperatures should be kept in a warm place at night until the end of the month. I take mine outside during the day until then so that they may gain some size.
-Plant summer flowering bulbs such as gladiolous every two weeks for a succession of bloom after April 15th.
-Pull dahlias out of winter storage and plant after April 15th. It is usually safe to put out other plants stored in containers indoors such as agapanthus as well. Remember to slowly acclimate them to the sun by giving them some shade until they begin to grow.
-It is usually safe to direct seed outdoors after April 20th. If too cool, they make take longer to germinate, but should not be harmed unless very cool weather occurs after they germinate.
-I like to enjoy my pansies until the first of May before changing out my annual beds for summer. However, I find that the best plant selection is in April, so I shop for my summer annuals in April and hold them until ready to plant. Annuals that need warmer temperatures such as lantana, cosmos and zinnias are usually not available until May. -Clean out dead or dying leaves on lambs ear to improve air circulation.
-As iris blooms fade, cut off the seed heads when finished blooming. If seeds are allowed to mature, it will take energy from plant growth and make a weaker plant.
Over 75% of our flowering plants and nearly 75% of our crops are pollinated by animals in the United States.
Help us maintain an environment that keeps them going.
The following information is from The U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service and can be found on their website to share and print at http://www.fws.gov/pollinators/
All Illustrations by
USFWS/Tim Knepp
All Illustrations by
USFWS/Tim Knepp
|
|
|
|
Website Links for more information on Pollinators & Planting gardens to help:
http://www.pollinator.org/
http://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/
http://www.fws.gov/pollinators/pollinatorpages/yourhelp.html
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml
http://www.foxleas.com/
http://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-pollinatorgarden/
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/creating-a-pollinator-garden.htm
http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/gardens/
http://www.pollinator.org/
http://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/
http://www.fws.gov/pollinators/pollinatorpages/yourhelp.html
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml
http://www.foxleas.com/
http://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-pollinatorgarden/
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/creating-a-pollinator-garden.htm
http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/gardens/
More Information on Wildlife Habitats and How You Can Make a Difference
Click here to go the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Website
Programs with the NC Wildlife Federation
|
Public or private. High country or cypress-ringed swamp. Land is where conservation starts. Every acre matters, which is why North Carolina Wildlife’s land stewardship projects are so diverse and far-reaching – from landscape-scale planning for large public holdings to backyard habitat improvements for homeowners. Your stewardship efforts assist wildlife and habitat conservation so future generations may enjoy wildlife and wild places in North Carolina.
Habitat loss is one of the leading causes of species decline today. All habitats, regardless of size, are essential to the survival of native wildlife. We can all take small steps in our daily lives to make a positive impact on our local environment. By providing food, water, cover and places to raise young, you can help to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in your community. Songbirds, butterflies, dragonflies and game species such as deer, quail and turkey will make their home on your property, or find refuge there during migration. Depending on where you live and what your objectives are, by gardening for wildlife, you can help make a difference. Our Garden for Wildlife programs are making a positive difference in North Carolina. Learn about the programs and join our efforts. Habitat Information Why create a habitat?
Food: Native plants provide wildlife with nectar, seeds and berries. Feeders can supplement. Water: All animals need water to survive and some need water for bathing or breeding. Cover: Wildlife needs shelter to escape bad weather and predators. Places to Raise Young: Wildlife needs special habitats for bearing and raising young. Applying for Certification If you have provided food, water, cover and places to raise young for wildlife, your yard can be certified by the National Wildlife Federation and North Carolina Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Apply online or print and mail your application today to show your commitment to wildlife. |
|
|
Food:
Plants with seeds, berries, nectar, nuts Seed feeder Suet feeder Hummingbird feeder Squirrel feeder Water: Birdbath Lakefront Stream Water garden/pond Fountain with running water |
Cover:
Wooded area Ground cover Log pile Roosting box Evergreen shrubs and trees Places to Raise Young: Mature trees Nesting box Dense shrubs Host plants for caterpillars Dead trees/snags |
Join the Butterfly Highway
To be designated as a Butterfly Highway pollinator garden, your garden should include the following elements:
Size: There is no minimum size required as long as the appropriate plants and resources are provided. Even an apartment balcony can provide habitat for pollinators.
Location: Pollinators and the plants that support them need lots of sun. The site should include an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun every day.
Soil and water: Various plants have different soil and water needs. See our recommended native plant list for appropriate plants for your habitat type. Most pollinators get the water they need from nectar, but butterflies do love puddling in a butterfly spa!
Shelter: Plants should be planted close together, but not crowded, to provide protection from pests and predators.
Place to raise young: Native bees typically build their nests in the ground and require open patches of soil. Leave space in your garden free of mulch and debris to provide this essential bee nesting habitat. Butterflies lay their eggs on trees and herbaceous plants. Certain species have very specific requirements for plants; for example, the monarch butterfly caterpillar will only eat the leaves of milkweed plants.
Food source: Nectar plants provide an essential food source for butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. It is important to provide plants that bloom from early spring to late fall to provide adequate food for breeding and migration. It is also recommended to provide a variety of plants in different colors, shapes and heights that may be attractive to a diversity of pollinators. Your garden should include at least 3 nectar plants that are native to your region.
Sustainable gardening practices: Many pollinators are insects and are vulnerable to the effects of insecticides. It is recommended to use organic gardening practices to reduce these effects. This includes eliminating chemical pesticides, not treating your yard with a chemical mosquito barrier and using native plants that have not been treated with neonicotinoids.
To be designated as a Butterfly Highway pollinator garden, your garden should include the following elements:
Size: There is no minimum size required as long as the appropriate plants and resources are provided. Even an apartment balcony can provide habitat for pollinators.
Location: Pollinators and the plants that support them need lots of sun. The site should include an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun every day.
Soil and water: Various plants have different soil and water needs. See our recommended native plant list for appropriate plants for your habitat type. Most pollinators get the water they need from nectar, but butterflies do love puddling in a butterfly spa!
Shelter: Plants should be planted close together, but not crowded, to provide protection from pests and predators.
Place to raise young: Native bees typically build their nests in the ground and require open patches of soil. Leave space in your garden free of mulch and debris to provide this essential bee nesting habitat. Butterflies lay their eggs on trees and herbaceous plants. Certain species have very specific requirements for plants; for example, the monarch butterfly caterpillar will only eat the leaves of milkweed plants.
Food source: Nectar plants provide an essential food source for butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. It is important to provide plants that bloom from early spring to late fall to provide adequate food for breeding and migration. It is also recommended to provide a variety of plants in different colors, shapes and heights that may be attractive to a diversity of pollinators. Your garden should include at least 3 nectar plants that are native to your region.
Sustainable gardening practices: Many pollinators are insects and are vulnerable to the effects of insecticides. It is recommended to use organic gardening practices to reduce these effects. This includes eliminating chemical pesticides, not treating your yard with a chemical mosquito barrier and using native plants that have not been treated with neonicotinoids.
Register a Butterfly Highway Garden
Fill out this form to register your pollinator garden as a part of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation's Butterfly Highway. There is no cost to register and join the Butterfly Highway network. Once you have registered, you are eligible to purchase a Butterfly Highway sign for your home, school, farm or business!
Click here to go to the form
Fill out this form to register your pollinator garden as a part of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation's Butterfly Highway. There is no cost to register and join the Butterfly Highway network. Once you have registered, you are eligible to purchase a Butterfly Highway sign for your home, school, farm or business!
Click here to go to the form
Butterflies in Your Backyard
— Written By Lucy Bradley
Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
New and improved and even better than before. “Butterflies in Your Backyard” has been updated and re-released with a beautiful new cover. Available for free online (PDF version linked), it has wonderful information on North Carolina butterflies and the native plants that attract them.
— Written By Lucy Bradley
Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
New and improved and even better than before. “Butterflies in Your Backyard” has been updated and re-released with a beautiful new cover. Available for free online (PDF version linked), it has wonderful information on North Carolina butterflies and the native plants that attract them.
Stallings Nature and Wildlife Club & North Carolina Wildlife Federation
North Carolina Wildlife Federation chapters are community-based organizations that together form a cohesive, statewide network of wildlife enthusiasts working for wildlife and habitat conservation.
Mission
To protect, conserve and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitat.
Vision
Our stewardship will result in a state with bountiful and diverse wildlife, including all species of wild flora and fauna that is valued by its citizens and elected officials and sustainably managed for future generations.
Our group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in the Stallings Civic Building.
323 Stallings Rd. Stallings, NC 28104
The market is open on Saturday's at 9am to 1pm.
If you do not already receive their weekly newsletter be sure to sign up. Just send an email to the following address and ask to be added to the mailing list:
marketbasket@waxhawfarmersmarket.com
|
|
|
|
|
|