No, really....this is the picture I wanted you to see.  This is what the birds, bees, and butterflies see when they are in my garden.  Beautiful flowers, lots of nectar, easy meal!!!!

 

Black eyed Susans are a major source of nectar, loved by the pollinators.  That's why we put them in the garden, besides just being pretty.  In order to produce fruit, flowers must be pollinated.  Did you know that 1/3 of the food we eat has to be pollinated?  Probably more for me, cause I live on rice, beans, and zucchini.  And soon, peaches, blueberries, and apples.  They all depend on being pollinated.

 

I just read an interesting tip for attracting pollinators:  plant similar flowers in clumps to make their visit more efficient.  They can collect a lot of pollen without travelling so far.  Makes sense to me.....

 

And of course there is this reminder:  Minimize pesticide use.  Keep a few Dandelions; they are a great source of pollen for the birds, bees, and butterflies.  Poison that kills bad bugs also kills good bugs, including birds, bees, and butterflies.  Jon's theory is that those worms on the kale add protein to our diet.  YAK!!!  I'd rather wash them off with a little soapy water.  But either way, we don't want to eat poison.   Nor do we want to feed it to our friends, the pollinators.

 

Come see the garden.  It is BEAUTIFUL right now.  You may even get to pick some blueberries.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!