Hard work, happy pollinators and a healthy ecosystem make Blossom Meadow Farm a success. This journal highlights some of things we’ve learned through this crazy adventure.
Ban Honey Bees from Protected Lands
Declining honey bee populations have gripped the headlines and unfortunately spurred many land managers to allow hives on protected lands. Receiving a fraction of the media attention, native bee populations have been hit even harder and are ecologically more important (Mathiasson & Rehan 2019). A multitude of papers have shown that honey bees outcompete native… Read more Ban Honey Bees from Protected Lands
BEES! They Need Our Help.
There are about 450 different bee species in New York State, including bumble bees, carpenter bees, sweat bees, mason bees, and honeybees. As their work in pollinating our gardens, farms, and natural world is priceless, please consider the following actions to help reverse their population declines: Ensure food sources: To increase forage for pollinators, plant… Read more BEES! They Need Our Help.
Solitary Wasps
Often overlooked, predatory wasps suppress pests of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants, are a natural part of all terrestrial ecosystems and in the past were the primary means of pest control on farms. The vast majority of wasps are solitary and all solitary wasps are nonaggressive as their stingers are used mainly for hunting rather… Read more Solitary Wasps
Protect the Night Sky, Protect Nocturnal Pollinators
Moth numbers have been in long-term decline due in large part to habitat loss and climate change but also because of artificial night lighting. Artificial lights are believed to be a factor in the decline of fireflies too, and may disrupt the migration of birds that navigate by starlight such as the indigo bunting. As… Read more Protect the Night Sky, Protect Nocturnal Pollinators
Happy National Moth Week!
Happy National Moth Week! Mmm, didn’t know it existed? Well, walk around at night in your yard with a flashlight and what will you likely see? Moths taking over the night shift of pollinating flowers. Like butterflies, moths don’t actively gather pollen. While they are foraging for nectar, pollen grains stick to the moth’s body… Read more Happy National Moth Week!
Become Snow White (singing birds, great friends…)
As the United States becomes increasingly urbanized, the landscaping around our homes is the final frontier for many species. All of us are now on the forefront of managing the nation’s birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. We need to choose plants that can provide food and good nutrition for the entire food web. We need… Read more Become Snow White (singing birds, great friends…)
Butterfly Bushes are not Monarch Flowers
When people see my common monarch flower (Asclepias syriaca) plants and seeds, many say “I already have this. I have a butterfly bush.” Monarch flowers (Asclepias species) are different than the butterfly bush (Buddleia species). While butterfly bushes will provide attractive nectar for adult butterflies (including monarchs), no species of butterfly in North America can… Read more Butterfly Bushes are not Monarch Flowers
Witch Hazel, A Respite from Sandy Preparations
Witch hazel! On Sunday I zoomed over to one of my Southold bee yards to secure the hives before Hurricane Sandy came to town. Securing beehives….sounds more technical than the work itself. I heaved cinder blocks and heavy rocks onto the top of each hive in hopes that the covers would not blow off or… Read more Witch Hazel, A Respite from Sandy Preparations
B2B
B2B you ask? What is she talking about? Well, this past Friday October 5th, I was out in my Soundview Avenue bee yard. I was going through the hives to make sure that all three supers had built out frames in which to store that last drops of nectar from the goldenrod blooming nearby and… Read more B2B