Pollinator Gardens
The eastern and western monarch butterfly has declined approximately 90% since 1996. At this rate, butterfly numbers will decline 2 percent each year until possible extinction. TDOT has distributed milkweed seeds to aid in the prevention of their decline. That certainly helps but does not actually solve the problem. Vehicles kill an estimated 25 million butterflies per year, so it makes sense to plant butterfly attractors far away from roadways.
Bees are also on a steep decline with beekeepers consistently losing 40 percent of their colonies per year. Many factors play into their mortality rate- food source being one of them.
With pollinators on the decline, we recommend planting species such as cosmos and zinnias. Milkweed is a good source, but not easily grown. Flowering plants can be sown in early spring and again in late summer to provide food for migration. Buckwheat is easily grown and a great source of nectar. Planting these type of food sources is very easy. Just prepare a seed bed with a rotor tiller, distribute the seed, and lightly drag the top of a rake over the seeds; and you will have a flower patch the neighbor will envy. As a bonus, many birds will benefit from the flowers.