General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: They are genetically engineering the American Chestnut... [View all]HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)... it does make you wonder if there's a reason for that. The homogeneous green yards turn brown by early August (and the lawn companies STILL throw down the one thing they don't need - more nitrogen). Ours stays green all year round. Okay, most of it is clover, dandylion, and who knows what other kinds of weeds, but there's still a healthy supply of grass. Even in the middle of winter it is green while all of the other lawns have gone brown.
And THANK YOU for not using lawn poisons!!! It isn't just about the wildlife. It's also about not supporting the industry that produces the stuff, and providing food for the critters. Those poisons also kill feed insects.
As for the bees, PA was hit hard by colony collapse and it ruined a lot of beekeepers. Rows of hives would die off within a few days. For people who make their living raising them, that's a major issue. It's not just for honey either. Beekeepers transport their hives to orchards in need of pollination (for a fee, obviously) and without the hives, no income. For a lot of them, the honey is the least important part of their business.
I was just so happy to see them back in force this year. We actually had to dodge them in the yard to avoid stepping on them. Funny thing though, my wife's lavender plant (about 6' in diameter now) is a bumble magnet - easily 100 at a time. They also like the basil flowers (which you can't snip off fast enough). We're making pesto on Wednesday - like a lot of it.