BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT VACATION

Don't forget your plant friends. Unless you are growing plants that like a little neglect (and there really are very few plants like this), chances are you will need to care for your plants if you are gone for more than a day or so. But how to do this?

• Drip irrigation with a timer. This is the most expensive way to ensure that your outdoor plants are watered but also the most dependable and precise.
• Ask a friend. This is the least expensive (money-wise), but maybe the best if you have an assortment of plants of different types. If you have houseplants, see if you can bring them to their home so they can watch over them.
• Soaker hoses with a timer are a great way to slowly and deeply water your established plants.
• There are other devices, such as attaching a hose to a rain barrel or turning soda bottles into drip systems. These may work for short trips, but it may not be enough water for a lot of plants.

Keep in mind that plants in containers dry out more quickly, so you may need to give them extra attention. Also, consider moving your indoor plants to areas that won't contribute to drying out, such as vents and bright sunny windows.

Before a short trip, consider watering thoroughly and mulching to keep evaporation to a minimum.

BUTTERFLIES, BEES, BIRDS:
It's a pollinator party!

Drop by next Saturday or Sunday to purchase two caterpillars to take home to experience metamorphosis! For $15, you get two Painted Lady caterpillars, habitat, activity book, and instruction. Remind your kids that butterflies take approximately 3 weeks to emerge.

More fun activities:

• Plant a Pollinator Pot! Purchase a pot or bring one from home. Select your plants (we can help you choose) and then it plant it right here in our potting shed, using our tools and soil.
• Create an Mini Oasis! Pollinators need to water too. Create a pollinator-size oasis with a saucer and some pretty pebbles. Cost of Pollinator Pot and Mini Oasis activities depends of materials used.

POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY
GARDENING

Did you know that one out of every three foods we eat rely on pollinators. Pollinators fertilize flowers, which then produce seeds, which you can find buried in that apple you eat or on the outside of the strawberry that you pick. In the non-edible world, pollinators help maintain a thriving ecosystem by continuing plant species and adding biodiversity.

As you garden, think about what you are doing in your garden to encourage bees, birds, and butterflies. And also to ensure that we aren't doing to anything detrimental to our flying and buzzing friends.

• Create a pollinator-friendly environment in your backyard. Plant flowers that encourage bees and birds, like asters, coneflowers, lavender, sunflowers, yarrow, etc. Have water dishes in a safe place for pollinators to get a drink.
• Check the labels of any insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide that you use. Be aware of spraying where the bees are and minimizing spray drift.
• Take care of the environment. Climate change not only affects humans.
• Come on in to pick up our list of pollinator friendly plants.