I have gardened as long as I can remember. First it was with my mom as a young girl, later it was to teach my young children about the food cycle and it was always an opportunity to spend time in nature. Over time, I became more focused on my gardening as a solution to problems, both personal and environmental. I volunteered to plant way stations for Monarch Butterflies that are seeing their numbers dramatically decline.
Many years ago, I witnessed the single most magnificent lightning bug light show I’ve ever seen. It changed many of my gardening beliefs. In fact, we still talk about that magical night that changed many things for me! There were thousands and thousands of lightning bugs putting on an amazing spectacle, some at the tops of 50 foot trees and others floating just above the grass. Over the next few years, the show got dimmer and dimmer. I then learned about a program that was tracking lightning bugs because they were in danger. Apparently pesticides, light pollution and lack of safe habitats were threatening many species of lightning bugs worldwide.
Rather than just avoiding pesticides and keeping outdoor lights off, I wanted to do something to actually help. We decided to create a wildlife sanctuary with pest-free and native plants. We know why pesticides are a problem. They are a poison that does not just target a single insect or plant, they infect all the plants and wildlife in the treated area.
To encourage wildlife and have a sanctuary, there are a number of elements needed, a water source, shelter, and food. Rather than just buying bird feeders, we decided to plant natives in our garden. Did you know that native bees, birds and butterflies evolved along with native trees, plants, and shrubs? Plants that are native to the area will produce nectar/seed/refuge at the precise time it is needed by specific insects and wildlife. There are actually some insects that only feed on specific plants. Plants purchased from big nurseries are often sterile or provide zero benefit to local wildlife.
Also, native plants are ideally suited to the local climate and soil conditions. As a result, they require less care and maintenance and will better survive the extremes of your climate. By planting pesticide-free natives, you will encourage an active and bio-diverse mini ecosystem in your own yard filled with bees, butterflies, birds and even lightning bugs. Now I just need to figure out a water source.
