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How to Build a Swale for Drainage

You might be wondering, “What is a swale drain?” Adding a swale can improve your land quality and increase biodiversity–a win-win for everyone! Read on to learn how to build a swale for drainage with some planning and a little elbow grease. 

Water management is a critical component to conservation, and when used effectively, it can significantly increase the production value and habitat quality of your land. Strategically placed swales are one of the easiest ways to enhance your drought resilience and vegetate the more arid zones in your landscape.

Swales are shallow trenches or waterways created to channel and trap or slow the movement of surface water. From the short linear depression that channels runoff from your downspouts to a water garden or pond, to a much larger earthwork that’s installed transverse to the slope in your south 40, swales can help you keep more of the water that falls on your place, on your place!

Swales can be vegetated or not. Vegetated swales are arguably more beneficial, because they have silt- and water-filtering capabilities, but if you’re in arid zones, your swales may begin as bare earthworks. In time, they may become vegetated, produce food, and increase habitat diversity.

In addition to cleansing water and delivering it to storage facilities, swales also contribute to recharging the groundwater in their immediate vicinity and downhill. Many so-called “bioswales” are created level to capture and retain surface runoff so more water will percolate to charge the groundwater. Installing a swale can help convert a dry slope to a highly vegetated, moist habitat.

How to Build a Swale for Drainage

When installing swales, having the right tools makes all the difference. You can install small-scale swales, such as in a sloped backyard, with hand tools, but you’ll want to bring in some machinery if your project is of a moderate scale. Large-scale projects often require hydraulic excavators and dozers.

Female farmer digging ground in cloudy autumn day. Woman working

Large or small, a swale project should be marked out so you know where to dig. You can use surveying tools, laser levels, and the like to lay out the swale along larger contours. Those tools will allow you to build level or sloped earthworks. For smaller projects, or even for the larger ones, you can build an A-frame level to manually mark your swale line. In either case, take some care with this step, because the final result will depend on how level or mildly sloped your swale is. Once marked to your satisfaction, it’s time to collect the tools, labor, and fortitude to begin the build.

How Big to Dig Swales

Before you start digging in earnest, be aware that most successful swales are at least three times as wide as they are deep. They can be wider to no ill effect, but if they’re narrower, the surface area for water percolation and retention volume will be diminished. You’ll want to keep the swale edges sloped very gradually to avoid erosion, although in practice, this isn’t always easy to accomplish with hand-dug swales. With a few heavy rains, it usually sorts itself out.

Whether you’re using a pick, shovel and mattock, backhoe, plow, or dozer, the general approach is to excavate a trench along your contour line while pulling the soil to the downslope side of the trench to create a berm. One edge of your swale will be the slope of the undisturbed land, while the other will be the berm.

a rubber booted foot stepping on a shovel to push it into a pile of…

Swales can range in width from a few feet to 20 or more feet, depending on specific circumstances. On gently sloped swales, you’ll want the outlet to be in an area that’s relatively flat and well-vegetated to prevent erosion, or to have it feed into a pond or series of them. Bioswales will need one or more flat spots in the berm where water can overflow during times of heavy runoff. These spillways will protect the integrity of the berm and should be located where the overflow is least likely to cause erosion.

For larger projects, a loader-backhoe tractor will likely be the fastest, most versatile method. If the slopes are sufficiently gentle, you might be able to find an old terracing plow to run along the contour using your tractor. If you’re good with a dozer, or have a friend who is, it’s possible to install 1,000 feet of swale in a day or two in prime conditions. Likewise, it might make sense to hire a pro with a large hydraulic excavator for bigger projects on steeper slopes.

Adding Vegetation to Swales

Plant the swales’ berm and downhill from it with soil-holding grasses, forbs, and trees appropriate to your bioregion. Many folks choose fruit trees, while others use shrubby species that can be grazed, such as willows, or berries, which provide food. It all depends on your circumstances and needs.

Plant the swale itself when sloped; choose a grass mixture proven in agricultural waterway projects. Shrubs can also effectively reduce erosion issues within the swale. In any case, the vegetative focus should add diversity and habitat to the landscape that’ll serve wildlife and humans alike. On small projects, hand-planting works well. On larger projects, you can use your tractor with a seeder or drill to plant the berm. Planting trees can be as easy as sticking willow or cottonwood twigs into moist soil in early spring, or you can use hand tools and power diggers to plant larger-rooted specimens in virtually any season.

Creating swales for water conservation, habitat creation, and climate modification can be rewarding in both the long and short run. And with the right tools and equipment, it’s a project you can tackle confidently. Remember, small steps can make a big difference, and the best time to get started was yesterday.

Legal Considerations

Before embarking on any earthworks project or water-diversion initiative, research ordinances in your municipality. In some places, surface water is considered a public commodity, so any modification to the “normal” flow needs approval. County agencies, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other organizations might have a say in the matter. For example, in some places, collecting rainwater isn’t legal, although it’s likely fine to swale the water to divert it to your garden.

Digging a trench. Earthworks, digging trench. Long earthen trenc

In some instances, your swale might divert runoff that sufficiently reduces the value of your neighbor’s pond or the flow of a creek, and thus it could capture the attention of the Army Corps. The Corps has universal permits that encompass smaller projects and don’t require engineering drawings to get. In some areas, bioswales might become classified as wetlands, which come with their own set of rules and regulations. In any case, a bit of research coupled with a risk-and-benefit analysis is in order. You’d hate to invest in a project only to have it torn out because of some technicality, or to lose control of a portion of your land to outside conservation interests.


Oscar H. Will III and his wife, Joanna, run a diversified sheep ranch, where they’ve relied on miles of swales to prevent erosion, to recharge the groundwater, to increase amphibian populations, and to modify the prairie plant and soil matrices to enhance diversity.

Originally published as “Diggin’ Swales” in the July/August 2023 issue of Grit magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes for all the Extras

Once the meal has been eaten the family gone home, what do you do with the leftovers filling the refrigerator? Embrace those Thanksgiving leftovers recipes.

With all those holidays – Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s (what am I forgetting?) – just around the corner, thoughts turn to the foods we serve to celebrate with family and friends.

For Thanksgiving, many a table in the United States bows under the weight of a roasted turkey. And later, the refrigerator bulges with leftovers. What to do? Embrace those Thanksgiving leftovers recipes, even plan for them, is my motto.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes

I adore a turkey sandwich in the days following the annual Thanksgiving calorie fest. Slices of soft bread slathered with mayo, bits and pieces of turkey arranged just so, peppercorns freshly ground on top, a few slices of cheddar cheese, a leaf of lettuce – another feast awaits my palate. But sandwiches only go so far. How about a few new ideas on what to do with that leftover turkey?

When I was growing up, Mom had a couple of recipes on hand that worked great for using leftovers. One of my favorites was Turkey Tetrazzini. She cooked those wide, curly egg noodles and placed them in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole, combined 2 cups chicken stock with 1 can of mushroom soup and ½ teaspoon celery salt, layered turkey pieces on top of the noodles, and topped it with the sauce. She then spread 1 cup cheddar cheese on top and sprinkled it with a handful of slivered almonds and 3 tablespoons minced parsley, and baked it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. It was heaven.

Below, we offer a few Thanksgiving leftovers recipes for your leftovers this year. Enjoy each and every bite!

Leftover  Sides Recipes

  • Turkey Leftover Recipes
  • Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes
  • Chewy Coconut Recipes
  • Lost Molasses Brownies Recipes
  • Chocolate Peanut Brittle with Peanut Butter Recipe
  • Skillet Turkey Pie Recipe
  • Turkey and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes: Turkey Leftovers

All year long, many of us look forward to our first bites of Thanksgiving turkey. We eat until we can’t eat anymore, and then we take a few more bites. But turkey has a way of multiplying — it finds its way into lunchboxes for weeks after the holiday has passed. This year, try these turkey leftover recipes, and keep that turkey love around a little bit longer.

Yvonne Lavender, Mansfield, Arkansas, is looking for recipes using turkey leftovers. Readers Melisa Mink and Sarah Vaughan send along a Turkey Broth Recipe and Turkey Chilaquiles Recipe respectively, while a delicious turkey tetrazzini recipe comes from GRIT’s archives.

Leftover Turkey Recipes

  • Turkey Broth Recipe
  • Turkey Chilaquiles
  • Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
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With this remedy not only will you perfume your home, but the mosquitoes will never return

This is a home remedy, which not only perfumes all rooms but also permanently removes mosquitoes from rooms.

lemon on candle

The home remedy , which in addition to spreading an excellent scent throughout the house, defeats mosquito attacks. How is it possible? DIY experts interfaced with cleaning professionals, creating something unique and completely natural. Ingredients that blend together , creating something aesthetically pleasing as well as something that can help you regain domestic well-being. Let’s find out together how to do it?

Remedy to perfume your home: ingredients

The remedy to  perfume the house was developed by wellness professionals and DIY experts. In fact, it is enough to take into consideration some completely natural ingredients to create something unique and also beautiful to look at. Embellishing environments and perfuming them has never been so easy. But be careful, this method is also excellent for keeping mosquitoes away , working as a real repellent.

The ingredients to take into consideration are the following:

  • 1 large lemon;
  • 1 small lemon;
  • Carnation flowers;
  • Bamboo sticks;
  • 2 white candles.
cloves and lemon

Cloves and lemon combine their properties together, in order to obtain a unique natural method. Not only an antibacterial action, but also sanitizing , repellent and excellent for perfuming the whole house. The cloves will be inserted inside the lemon pulp, as seen in the photo in order to bring the two ingredients together. And then? The process for creating the home method is easy and fun.

Repel mosquitoes and perfume the rooms: procedure

The procedure, as industry experts show , is as follows:

  • Take the large lemon and remove its cap, so that it rests on the flat surface. It will also have to be cut into two parts;
  • Insert the cloves into the pulp, along the entire area available on both sides.

Place the two lemons enriched with cloves on the ground . Then take the candles, cut a piece to make them small and insert them into the middle part of the lemon. Immediately afterwards take the bamboo sticks and place 4 of them on each piece of lemon available.

At this point the small lemon is cut into two parts and then added to the structure, as if to form a closing cap.

remedy to perfume the house

It’s time to light the candle and enjoy the show . These small natural lanterns, as the lemon pulp and cloves are heated, will spread a delicious scent throughout the house. Not only that, this smell is not pleasant to most insects. This means that the mosquitoes will flee in just a few seconds, being annoyed by the aroma released.

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Tick Bites In Children: How To Deal With Them

When you have children at home, you naturally develop protective instincts toward them. Since children hop and jump around, play a lot indoors and outdoors, they end up gathering a lot of infection-causing organisms on their selves. And kids are often prone to insect bites too. Since we usually recognize a mosquito or an ant bite, we are more or less aware of the basic ways of dealing with them. However, what if your child comes home with an unusual insect bite mark? Or, if you notice a weird-looking tick crawling over your child’s exposed arms or legs?

Anyone who has a dog at home might be aware of what a tick is. However, if you don’t know what a tick looks like, a simple internet search will throw up innumerable images of it. They are usually found in pets like dogs or in woody and grassy areas. Ticks are carriers of infections of other diseases, which is why a tick bite can often infect the blood easily (1). Here are a few FAQs regarding tick bites answered just for you:

What To Do When I Find A Tick On My Child?

What To Do When I Find A Tick On My Child

Image: IStock

First and foremost, do not panic if you find a tick on your child. It’ll make your child panic too. Be calm and check if the tick is crawling or attached to the skin. If it’s still crawling, then slowly pick it up with a tissue and flush it in a toilet.

What If The Tick Is Attached To The Skin?

What If The Tick Is Attached To The Skin

Image: IStock

If the tick is already attached to the skin, pull it out as soon as you can. But do so gently with a pair of tweezers. Focus on the front of the tick, preferably close to its mouth. Grasp it firmly with the tweezers and pull it out evenly and gradually. Make sure you remove the tick completely and none of its body parts remain. Also, don’t squeeze the tick’s body as the tick’s infected blood can enter your child’s bloodstream, especially if the tick is bloated.

Are There Any Home Remedies To Remove The Tick?

Are There Any Home Remedies To Remove The Tick

Image: IStock

Some people believe that applying nail polish or petroleum jelly helps to remove the tick. A section of people also advice burning the rear of the tick with a matchstick. However, do not try any of these. It might irritate the tick and make it regurgitate the contents of its stomach into your child’s bloodstream. Also, a hot matchstick can burn your child’s skin too.

What To Do After Removing It?

What To Do After Removing It

Image: IStock

Once you’ve removed the tick, wash the area with warm water and soap. Gently dry the area with a tissue but don’t rub or tap hard. Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic lotion. If your child develops any signs of infection in the area like swelling, redness, or oozing, take him/her to the doctor immediately.

What If A Part Of The Tick Remains Behind?

What If A Part Of The Tick Remains Behind

Image: IStock

If a tick’s part remains attached to the skin even after removal of the tick, try to take it out like how you’d remove a splinter. However, do not dig deep or cause injury to your child. If you are unable to remove it, you can take your child to the doctor instead of causing more injury.

What Other Precautions Should I Take?

What Other Precautions Should I Take

Image: IStock

Once you have removed the tick from your child’s body, check for any other ticks. Search carefully for any signs of tick bites or ticks on your child’s head, inside and around the ears, back of the knees, between the legs, armpits, belly button, waist, and between toes and fingers. These are the usual hiding places of the tick.

Will It Cause Lyme Disease?

Will It Cause Lyme Disease

Image: IStock

Lyme disease is usually caused by ticks carrying the infection. If your child develops symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, or a rash, get your child to a doctor immediately. Usually, a week’s course of antibiotic medicines should be enough to treat your child (2).

We hope that this piece of information regarding ticks has been helpful to you. However, if you are still unsure if a particular insect bite on your kid is a tick or not, then do not hesitate to seek medical aid for your child.

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The Rise Of The TikTok Trend Among Celebrities And Their Kids

Currently, one of the most popular social media apps is the entertainment app TikTok. We’re all familiar with it. It allows you to share short mobile form videos of dance, lip-syncing, comic clips, and even talent videos. Another widely popular feature of TikTok is the different types of challenges that emerge from it and become viral. Over the year, we’ve seen some of these challenges become super popular that even celebs jumped on the joy ride. For example, the Kiki Challenge. This is one of the challenges where celebrities all around the world took part in creative ways. Will Smith’s Kiki Challenge stole the internet in just one day.

 

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Last day in Budapest. I woke up #InMyFeelings I’ma Keep It 💯… I was TERRIFIED up there. That’s why my dance moves is all STIFF! Haha #InMyFeelingsChallenge #DoTheShiggy . Be smart, don’t attempt doing this under any circumstances. . 🎥: @jas @aidan @aaronjonferguson

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It is not unusual that celebs take on such trends and entertain their fans. With the nature of the content on TikTok, it becomes a great tool of engagement and entertainment for these stars everywhere to connect with their fans while also keeping them entertained. During this global pandemic, several Hollywood celebrities made their debut on TikTok while staying home with their families. Some of them choreographed moves with their kids and put the video out there so we can be thoroughly entertained.

Creativity Galore: Celebs And Their Kids

 

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The greatest Mother’s Day gift? A TikTok! #modernworld #newnormal

A post shared by Naomi Watts (@naomiwatts) on

Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, Jenna Dewan, and many others made TikTok videos with their children and blessed their fans with fun videos. Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber and their kids did a choreographed dance showing off their coordination skills. Jenna Dewan carried her newborn baby in her arms and danced with him. Who says you cannot be part of a dance when you’re less than six months old? Chris Cuomo and his daughters made one where they are all singing and having fun. While Kylie Jenner and her daughter Stormi are seen dancing around in a closet full of shoes to the song Pew Pew Pew by Auntie Hammy.

 

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A post shared by Courteney Cox (@courteneycoxofficial) on

Few other celebs who made use of their creativity are Tyga and son King who made a video of who is trying to finish the licorice first. A-Rod and his daughter Natasha danced to a fast-paced song and Courteney Cox, the F.R.I.E.N.D.S sitcom star and her daughter Coco did the same. Kourtney Kardashian and her son Mason danced to Renegade with Kourtney looking cool as ever. In the video, she tries keeping up with the steps her son is doing and it is a treat to watch.

 

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Got another workout in -trying to make the most of staying home … not gonna front, today was a bit of struggle, but we ended on a high note #momanddaughter #workout #stayhome #stayhealthy #staystrong

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) on

Another famous actress who is loved by all, Reese Witherspoon and her son Deacon are seen jamming it out in their backyard and at the end of the short video, she does a dance move and asks her son, “What is this move called?” and her son looks at her with total cluelessness. Matt Launer and his daughter share the screen space one at a time in what looks like a dance face-off while Jessica Alba and her daughter Honor dance to Funky Town and are seen wearing gym outfits.

 

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1st Family Tik Tok Post 🥰 @DangeRussWilson @Awilly03 Too much fun. #Family

A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on

Ciara, Russell Wilson, and their kids do a line up with each of them doing a little something in front of the camera. The whole family faces the camera and shows off their quirks and it’s heartwarming. Another family line up that brought smiles to their fans’ faces is Roger Matthews and his kids. Each of them did a series of steps in front of the camera one at a time and it was very cute to watch.

Celebs Worth Mentioning

 

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A post shared by Christy Carlson Romano (@thechristycarlsonromano) on

Apart from these, some other celebs joined in on the trend along with their kids. Some of them are Gordon Ramsay, Christy Carlson Romano, and Christina Milian. Their videos were unique and quite entertaining at the same time.

 

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A post shared by Gordon Ramsay (@gordongram) on

It is no doubt that this quarantine has made celebs bond better with their families but it is great to see that they are also engaging in a lot of activities together, including making TikTok videos. Are you a fan of TikTok videos? Comment below and let us know what is your favorite trend on TikTok.

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Top 4 Mistakes To Avoid If You’d Like To Raise Healthy Kids

As parents, we want only the best for our children. Since the time of conception you’ve only focused on one thing, and that’s keeping your little one happy and healthy. But it’s not always as easy as it seems. Sure we’re loving, caring and would do anything for them, but sometimes parents also have the tendency to be overbearing and too involved in the lives of their kids, which isn’t healthy for them either. And although it’s done with good intentions, sometimes parents can make mistakes or just have no clue about what it is their kids really need from them. If you’d like to avoid these parenting pitfalls so that your little one can grow up to be a healthy and sound individual, then this is the article for you! Read on to know more.

1. Speaking On Behalf Of Them

This is perfectly fine when your little one is not more than an infant and can’t speak for themselves. But once they are old enough to speak properly and voice their own opinions, it’s time to take a step back. Many parents forget that their child has a voice of their own in social situations. But answering questions, forming thoughts and learning to be articulate are all part of your child’s overall development. Besides, it’s important for them to learn how to talk to people of all ages and walks of life as they will be encountering them for the rest of their lives. Allowing your child to take initiative and speak for themselves will help them exercise their autonomy and improve their communication skills. So the next time someone asks them for their name or asks them a question, try not to intervene and let your child take the reins. You, of course, can closely monitor the interaction to ensure the safety of your kid.

2. Become Their Friend

Become Their Friend

Image: IStock

Many parents in today’s day and age are more interested in being their child’s friend than their parent, and this can lead to many consequences in the near future. Firstly, your job as a parent is not to ensure that your child thinks you’re cool or fun. It is to raise them to be well rounded individuals, which takes discipline as well as empathy. Secondly, more than focusing on being their friend, be their confidant. Someone they can say anything to but are also accountable to. This way you and your kids will find a healthy balance between being too friendly and too authoritative. Lastly, realize that there are some things that your child will not come to you for no matter how friendly you are towards them, and that’s okay. That’s why they have friends of their own age. Your children need their own privacy and space to experiment and grow. So, it’s okay to be left out once in a while. You probably wouldn’t want to know what they are up to anyway!

3. Help Them With Everything

Help Them With Everything

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Since you’ve catered to their every need since the moment they were born, it’s natural to continue to do so even after they’ve grown up a bit. But helping your child with everything may not be the best for them in terms of their development. Kids learn through trial and error, so as hard as it is, you need to let them struggle and learn how to do things on their own. This can be something as simple as putting their shoes on or carrying their own bag. When a parent allows a child to take on tasks by themselves it shows them that the parent is confident in them and trusts them enough to complete the task well. This in turn boosts their self confidence.

5. Calculate Their Money

Calculate Their Money

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The sooner your child learns to handle money, the better for them. Every child needs to know the value of money as they grow older. And although you can guide your kids and give them opportunities to earn money, like giving them chores to do or errands to run, you need to stop butting into what they do with it. After they’ve reached a certain age, kids need to learn how to save and spend their money responsibly on their own. Teach your kids to be responsible with their money and then allow them to make decisions. Allow them to figure out how to be financially smart and make mistakes in the process. Make sure your kids know that they can always come to you for advice, but when it comes to the day to day management of their finances, they are on their own.

Making sure that your childs grow up to be healthy individuals physically and mentally is not an easy task. And sometimes the things we do out of love can be the very things that stifle our child’s development. But now that you know exactly what to avoid doing, you’ll have an easier time of avoiding these pitfalls and raising healthy kids!

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It’s Raining Offers At Shoppers Stop For Kids

It is the school time again. You must have already got the annual academic schedule for your kids? Then you know what celebrations would happen when and what the kid needs to wear for each occasion. Kids ethnic wear for festival celebrations, kids Nehru jacket or tricolor dresses for national festivals, fancy dresses for children’s day, and some other dresses for the annual day, sports day and more. And then you also have the weekly casual wear day.

All these ‘days’ boil down to one thing – many more new dresses in your child’s wardrobe. With the priorities changing and the kids getting more fashionable than ever before, you cannot deny them the joy of wearing trendy clothes. Also, you can’t make them wear the clothes that they wore last year because your children are taller and their dresses shorter now.

This means a bigger hole in your pocket as you also need to buy the uniform, shoes and other paraphernalia.

What a predicament! However, you can do away with your predicament as Shoppers Stop has come up with irresistible offers on latest kids wear for girls and boys. It is offering discounts as high as 70%!

It’s-Raining-Offers-At-Shopper’s-Stop-For-Kids2

Yes, the mega sale is on. It covers a wide range of kids wear across various brands. In fact, the collection is so extensive that you name it and they have it. Sample this: US Polo Association up to 50% off, UFO up to 60% off, Peppermint up to 40% off, Ruff flat 20%, Stop Life flat 50%, and Mothercare flat 30%.

Offers are also raining from Allen Solly, Barbie, Beebay, United Colors of Benetton and many more.

Want to have more? Here you go: there are offers not just on kids’ clothing but also on their accessories such as sports shoes for boys, slippers and sneakers for girls, loafers for boys, and toys. Yes, the discounts go up to 70% on toys for kids!

It’s-Raining-Offers-At-Shopper’s-Stop-For-Kids1

Make the most of the discounts on toys now so that you can stock them up to give your kids a surprise when they shine in their exams, competitions and sports. What a way to boost their morale and encourage them to do better!

Sample these offers, and you just can’t resist your temptation anymore: Certain Thomas and Friends toys 49%, Hot Wheels 49%, Barbie 49%, and also included are collections from other brands such as Fisher Price, Stop, Mattel and more. Your kids wouldn’t mind at all if you buy them a few toys along with some new clothes.

Are you saying, “The offers are exciting, but we are too tired to shop having done with kids’ school uniform and books”? Shoppers Stop understands that. So, just open your mobile and buy kids wear online from the cool comfort of the couch in your living room. Scroll on and go on a shopping spree. For once, your kids will not complain that you are on the phone!

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7 School Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

There are two kinds of kids – one, super excited to go to school and another, dreads getting ready for school. No matter which type of kid you have, it’s time we accept that no parent ever fantasizes getting up early to get their kids ready for school five days a week. It is always more work when your kids start going to school, and once you are done making their breakfast, packing their lunch, dressing them up, tidying their dress, dropping them off to school, the hour’s tick by, and then you spend hours helping them with their homework. However, the school doesn’t have to sound like a punishment for the parents and kids. Here in this article, we have discussed some hacks to make going to school more fun. Read on to know them all!

1. Talk About The Day At School

Talk About The Day At School

Image: Shutterstock

Just like we hate getting up and going to work, your kids might hate going to school too. Talk to your kids about school and whether they like or dislike it, to make it easier for them. It might be a classmate or a teacher they want to talk about, or perhaps they are overthinking it, and that makes it harder for them. All this can be solved by having a good conversation with your little one about the day ahead.

2. Check The School Calendar

Check The School Calendar

Image: Shutterstock

As a parent, your life will revolve around your kids, and it’s okay. So before you look at your own schedule, check your kid’s school calendar to ensure you plan your vacations and trips at the right time. Also, keep checking the kid’s exam timetable as that is when you have to ensure the house remains quiet and give your child enough time to study at peace.

3. Keep Everything Ready The Evening Before

Keep Everything Ready The Evening Before

Image: Shutterstock

If you want to stay stress-free on the day of school, you must pack ahead the day before. The shoe needs to be polished, the socks need to be dried and kept, the uniform needs to be ironed, and the bag needs to be packed with the books for the next day. This way, even if the kids are late risers, they won’t miss the school bus!

4. Don’t Plan Everything

Dont Plan Everything

Image: Shutterstock

Plans don’t always work out the way you want them to, especially when you have kids. So even if you plan to go to the zoo on weekends, you will find that after a whole week of school, the children appreciate playing on the porch more. So it’s best you don’t chart a plan beforehand and just let it be on the spot.

5. Don’t Fiddle With Bedtime

Dont Fiddle With Bedtime

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The secret to making sure everything runs smoothly is to keep the kid’s bedtime fixed. A sleep-deprived kid is a cranky kid, which is not suitable for anyone in the house. So no matter what the occasion is, and if they have school the next day, they must follow the same time to pack up and go to bed. Also, to make sure going to bed doesn’t feel like a chore, all the kids should go to bed simultaneously. Also, limit their screen time an hour before bed to ensure sound sleep.

6. Think Before You Volunteer

Think Before You Volunteer

Image: Shutterstock

Having a kid makes it very difficult for you to commit to other work like volunteering. Even if you had participated actively before the kids were there, now it is different, and your kids deserve your full attention. So even if it is difficult to say no, you should check your timetable and decide if you want to commit to any extracurricular activities.

7. Keep Limited Expectations

Keep Limited Expectations

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As parents, it may be hard to understand what your child feels, but going back to school is definitely not a piece of cake. It can fill your child with anxiety to picture what it would feel like to walk into a room full of unknown kids. You should be patient with your kid as they will probably have a meltdown with the mention of the first day of school. If your child is an introvert, the thought of a crowded room will make them catatonic. So don’t expect your child to be thrilled about it, and keep yourself prepared for a total power bawl when you finally drop them off at school.

We did not realize as kids that our parents dreaded sending us to school as much as we did. To be honest, no one fancies getting up early in the morning to get dressed and study for long hours. But instead of following the monotonous routine, you can make going to school exciting and fun for your kids. If they have early school, ensure they sleep early, so they complete their sleep cycle and wake up feeling fresh. So, do you have something you would like to add to our list? Let us know in the comments section!

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Parental Mistakes That May Cause Monetary Problems For Their Adult Children

As much as we want to deny it, finances do have a huge say in the kind of life your child will have when they grow up. A person’s financial status decides when resources are available to them, what doors can be opened and what remains shut. But for your way to make your kids financially stable and responsible, you might just be doing the opposite. Many parents want their children to have easy going futures, a career that is successful, stable income and a happy life. So they raise their kids in a generic way that they think will garner these results. However, since the world has been changing at a rapid pace the age old tricks of success are no longer effective. So instead of helping your kid’s chances of success you may be unintentionally hurting them. So what are some things that you may be doing that might cause money problems in the future for your grown up child? If you’d like to know then keep on reading!

1. Forcing Your Child To Make A Decision About Their Future Career

Don’t get us wrong, having a plan and some idea as to what your interests and strengths are and what you’d like to pursue in the future is great. But as you grow those things change and you must be flexible and open to new career paths. The idea that a person is supposed to have one job their entire life is likely to fail, especially in today’s day and age where there is so much crossover between various fields.

The worst thing you can do as a parent is make your child make concrete decisions about the kind of career they must pursue simply because you see it as a stable and successful field. They may not be as lucrative as you thought they might be and your child may not find success in these fields simply because they lack the knack and interest for it. So not only will they have huge amounts of student debts to clear but they will be stuck in a job that they hate and have no hope of finding success in. Instead allow your child to explore their options and have multiple hobbies that they can bank on as they age and grow.

2. Teaching Your Kids To Save Money At All Costs

Teaching Your Kids To Save Money At All Costs

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Now, no one likes a spendthrift child. And of course it is important to teach your kids the value of money. Just as it is important to teach your kids to invest in themselves when necessary. The world isn’t as stable and certain as it was yesterday so having just one area of expertise may not be enough to survive in the uncertain future. This is why it is important to allow your child to have a wide range of skills. They need to learn to be flexible and adapt to change instead of just saving up money. Remember, the best investment you can make is an investment on your skills and your knowledge.

3. Using Successful People As An Example

Using Successful People As An Example

Image: IStock

Tiger Woods was the exception, not the rule and yet a whole new type of parenting (Tiger parents) emerged because of his 10 thousand hour philosophy. Every generation has a list of people who they look up to. These people are influential, wealthy and usually started from nothing. But while it may look like we can just learn about their life path and become happy, things don’t work like that for some reason. Otherwise, all the people who read their books would’ve already solved all their money problems. Be it Elon Musk or Jeff Bazos, your kid isn’t going to get successful simply by replicating everything they did. What might have worked for one person may not necessarily work for another. So it’s important to teach your kids that they are on their own path.

4. Showing Them The Struggles Of Adult Life

Showing Them The Struggles Of Adult Life

Image: IStock

Honestly may be the best policy but it is not your child’s job to bear the burden of your financial struggles. There’s nothing wrong with explaining your situation to your kids and them seeing you stressed or sad from time to time but if this is all they see, it’s a problem. In this situation, the roles in the family shift, and the child tries to become the “rock” for their parents. Kids also see how difficult adult life is and they might start to be afraid of growing up as a consequence of this. This may diminish their chances of being confident and self assured later on in life.

Raising kids isn’t always easy, especially when all you want for them is to be successful and happy. But these are the pitfalls that you must avoid on your journey to teaching your kids to be financially secure. Happy parenting!

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Plant Perennials That Attract Butterflies

Animals/Wildlife/Flowers/Farm And Garden

Plant Perennials That Attract Butterflies

Begin a year-round garden of bountiful and beautiful native plants.

By Bruce Ingram
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by Bruce Ingram

Make your yard a haven by planting perennials that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Discover the best pollinator plants for your region. 

Planting a pollinator plot benefits all kinds of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to birds and bears. These plots provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, which leads to more hard- and soft-mast production in gardens, orchards, and farms.

Andy Rosenberger, a senior private lands biologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), says planting for pollinators is crucial. “Because many species of native insects are experiencing population declines, it’s quite necessary to plant native wildflowers for food production,” he says. In many cases, current methods of land management have stopped these plants from coming up on their own.

“If we don’t help our pollinators,” he says, “we’re going to lose some of these species and have less production from our farms and gardens as well. And not helping our pollinators also results in non-native plants and animals getting the upper hand over our native flora and fauna that evolved here.”

Preparing a Pollinator Plot

Bob Boeren, a retired state forester who now operates Boeren’s Consulting Forestry, consults on how to sustainably manage land and build wildlife habitat, including how to start a pollinator-friendly piece of land.

“Generally, homeowners and landowners will want to select a place that receives full sun most of the day, is well-drained, and is far enough away from traffic so that pollinators won’t be endangered before and after they visit,” he says. He recommends that you then take a soil test and remove fescue and other grasses. After you’ve removed the grass, Boeren says to “rake away the debris and then rake through the plot to work up the soil. Use the information gained from the soil test to see what needs to be added. For example, soil tests sometimes show that lime has to be added. After the soil is amended, it’s time to plant.”

Selecting Native Plants: Perennials That Attract Butterflies

The property owner’s individual situation will determine which seeds to plant and which native flora should be selected. The soil will also contain native seeds. For instance, in the plot my wife, Elaine, and I created, asters and broomsedge naturally appeared. Shrubs and small trees may even enter into the game plan.

Property owners can even tailor their plans to help certain fauna. Many pollinators only use one plant species or a few species of plants. “For example,” Boeren explains, “if you want to attract and help out zebra swallowtails, you could plant pawpaws, a very important understory tree in the East. Another small tree, black cherry, is known to attract the eastern tiger swallowtail. A really great draw for butterflies is the purple coneflower. And as many people know, milkweed is a crucial plant for monarch butterflies.”

a bumble bee on the center of a purple coneflower

Boeren says paying attention to which plants are native is also important. “Another approach is to plant seed mixes that will produce flowers native to your area. Also, avoid spraying chemicals anywhere near your plot once it starts to bloom. Neonicotinoids, for example, can be very harmful to moths, hummingbirds, bats, bees, and other creatures.”

Finally, pollinator plants will need periodic maintenance. Every late winter, I remove invasive plants and clear out debris. In early spring, I asked Boeren to come to my plot so he could give his expert opinion on what should be done.

Before he arrived, I mowed the broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) that grows around the perimeter to revitalize it. I also removed the dead stalks of stickweed (Verbesina occidentalis) and other flower stalks that had bloomed the previous year. With the bed of the plot more visible, Boeren didn’t take long to spot several problems — ones that are likely to appear in readers’ plots as well.

“Two invasive plants, honeysuckle and ground ivy, have moved in, probably popping up when you couldn’t see them when the plot was at its peak last spring and summer,” he said. “There’s even a sprig of autumn olive that’s a few inches tall. A songbird could’ve pooped out a seed of that invasive when it was visiting the plot.”

Boeren killed the patch of honeysuckle and ground ivy that blanketed one corner of the plot. No native plant would be able to grow there until the invasive plants were removed. To avoid disturbing the native plants that had appeared nearby, he pulled up the honeysuckle by its roots and dug up the autumn olive, so as not to harm the native wild strawberry plants already in bloom.

Another benefit of creating a pollinator plot is that native plants may begin to appear naturally. Two redbuds (Cercis canadensis) and a dogwood (Cornus florida), both in full bloom during Boeren’s visit, showed up after I stopped mowing that part of my front yard. These two understory trees make a fine border to any pollinator plot.

Other small native trees and shrubs that may appear or can be planted include the Allegheny plum (Prunus alleghaniensis), serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), and numerous species of wild cherries, haws, and viburnums. At another plot on our land, for example, I planted two each of Allegheny plum and serviceberry.

Year-Round Benefits of Supporting Pollinators

Over the course of the dozen or so years Elaine and I have had a pollinator plot, we’ve planted a number of different flora: purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), early sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), heart-leaved aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium), and black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), just to name a few. I didn’t realize at first that I needed to have wild flowers in bloom from early spring through late summer and early fall.

For example, Rosenberger says mining bees can appear in late winter or early spring and are critical early season pollinators. Planting early blooming flora, such as evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), Virginia iris (Iris virginica), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), can be of great service to mining bees and other early season pollinators

Similarly, late-summer blooms fulfill an important niche. Although a crop is often a success or failure by late summer, local pollinators still need food sources during that time.

Black eyed susans with yellow petals and black centers growing among grasses.

“Stickweed, a member of the aster family, is hated by many farmers, because it sometimes forms dense stands,” Rosenberger says. “But it’s a very important late-season bloomer and a favorite of bumblebees. Ragweed causes allergic reactions in some people, and beggar’s lice sticks to our clothes, but both of them provide food for many species of wildlife and are also late-season bloomers. Pound for pound, the seed from ragweed is extremely nutritious for quail and other game birds and songbirds. So whether a plant is a pest, weed, or a wonderful wildflower or forb is really in the eye of the beholder.”

Plus, he says these benefits are ongoing. “Native sunflowers, ironweed, and various asters are other possible additions to a pollinator plot for late-growing season visitors. And the benefits that your pollinator plot provides won’t end after the last plant has bloomed, either.”

I certainly can attest to that fact. For example, last October, long after the last plant in our pollinator plot had bloomed, I noted goldfinches and various species of sparrows continually visiting to scarf down seedpods and to forage among the leafy debris. Come winter, rabbits found cover there, and wintering hermit thrushes had security and food there as well. Pollinator plots truly provide year-round benefits to a wide variety of creatures.

Finally, Bob Glennon, a private land biologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the USDA, offers a creative way to provide both food and cover for pollinators: For cover, he suggests mixing in native warm-season grasses, such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and splitbeard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius), with wildflowers, such as red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), and gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), for their blooms.

Rob Kretz, a consultant for Prairie Moon Nursery, listed four species that would work well in a pollinator plot just about anywhere in the U.S.: panicled aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum), wild bergamot, sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), and dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum).

Good Things Take Time

When we first began our pollinator plot in our front yard, I must confess that the response of other folks, including Elaine, was not positive. Visiting friends snidely questioned if my lawnmower needed repair. My sweet wife even questioned whether anything would come from letting part of our yard “go to seed.”

But one summer day during the second or third year of the plot’s existence, Elaine and I strolled by our creation. Bumblebees were visiting the purple coneflowers, butterflies had alighted on some milkweed, honeybees were seemingly everywhere, and the plot’s blooms seemed to glisten in the early morning light. And Elaine says, “You know, it really is beautiful.”


Native Flowers to Plant in Every Region: Best Pollinator Plants

These suggestions for five pollinator plants and one milkweed for each region of the United States were compiled by Matthew Shepherd, director of outreach and education for the Xerces Society, and from Attracting Native Pollinators and 100 Plants to Feed the Bees.

cluster of purple milkweed flowers growing

Northeastern U.S.

Pollinators

  • Bicknell’s cranesbill (Geranium bicknellii)
  • Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis)
  • Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
  • Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
  • New England aster (Symphyotrichum
    novae-angliae
    )

Milkweed

  • Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Southeastern U.S.

Pollinators

  • Spotted geranium (G. maculatum)
  • Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
  • Joe-Pye weed (E. fistulosum)
  • Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
  • Common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

Milkweed

  • Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa)

Midwestern U.S.

Pollinators

  • Spotted geranium (G. maculatum)
  • Wild lupine (L. perennis)
  • Wild bergamot (M. fistulosa)
  • Purple coneflower (E. purpurea)
  • New England aster (S. novae-angliae)

Milkweed

  • Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa)

Great Plains

Pollinators

  • Wild bergamot (M. fistulosa)
  • Rough blazing star (L. aspera)
  • Narrow-leaved coneflower (E. angustifolia)
  • Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea)
  • Smooth aster (S. laeve)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed (A. speciosa)

Rocky Mountains

Pollinators

  • Perennial blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
  • Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata)
  • Purple prairie clover (D. purpurea)
  • Smooth aster (S. laeve)
  • Rocky Mountain goldenrod (Solidago multiradiata)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed (A. speciosa)

California & Southwest

Pollinators

  • California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
  • Palmer’s penstemon (Penstemon palmeri)
  • Silvery lupine (L. argenteus)
  • Sulphur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum)
  • Eaton’s aster (S. eatonii)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed (A. speciosa)

Pacific Northwest

Pollinators

  • Large-leaved lupine (L. polyphyllus)
  • Perennial blanketflower (G. aristata)
  • Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)
  • Sulphur flower (E. umbellatum)
  • Pacific aster (S. chilense)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed ( speciosa)

Bruce Ingram is a freelance writer and photographer and the author of 10 books, including Living the Locavore Lifestyle, a book on living off the land. Get in touch with him at BruceIngramOutdoors@Gmail.com.

Originally published as “Practical Pollinator Plots” in the March/April 2023 issue of Grit and regularly vetted for accuracy.

  • Published on Feb 25, 2023

Tagged with: bees, butterflies, garden, native flowers, native plants, native pollinators, pollinator, pollinator garden

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Make your yard a haven by planting perennials that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Discover the best pollinator plants for your region. 

Planting a pollinator plot benefits all kinds of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to birds and bears. These plots provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, which leads to more hard- and soft-mast production in gardens, orchards, and farms.

Andy Rosenberger, a senior private lands biologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), says planting for pollinators is crucial. “Because many species of native insects are experiencing population declines, it’s quite necessary to plant native wildflowers for food production,” he says. In many cases, current methods of land management have stopped these plants from coming up on their own.

“If we don’t help our pollinators,” he says, “we’re going to lose some of these species and have less production from our farms and gardens as well. And not helping our pollinators also results in non-native plants and animals getting the upper hand over our native flora and fauna that evolved here.”

Preparing a Pollinator Plot

Bob Boeren, a retired state forester who now operates Boeren’s Consulting Forestry, consults on how to sustainably manage land and build wildlife habitat, including how to start a pollinator-friendly piece of land.

“Generally, homeowners and landowners will want to select a place that receives full sun most of the day, is well-drained, and is far enough away from traffic so that pollinators won’t be endangered before and after they visit,” he says. He recommends that you then take a soil test and remove fescue and other grasses. After you’ve removed the grass, Boeren says to “rake away the debris and then rake through the plot to work up the soil. Use the information gained from the soil test to see what needs to be added. For example, soil tests sometimes show that lime has to be added. After the soil is amended, it’s time to plant.”

Selecting Native Plants: Perennials That Attract Butterflies

The property owner’s individual situation will determine which seeds to plant and which native flora should be selected. The soil will also contain native seeds. For instance, in the plot my wife, Elaine, and I created, asters and broomsedge naturally appeared. Shrubs and small trees may even enter into the game plan.

Property owners can even tailor their plans to help certain fauna. Many pollinators only use one plant species or a few species of plants. “For example,” Boeren explains, “if you want to attract and help out zebra swallowtails, you could plant pawpaws, a very important understory tree in the East. Another small tree, black cherry, is known to attract the eastern tiger swallowtail. A really great draw for butterflies is the purple coneflower. And as many people know, milkweed is a crucial plant for monarch butterflies.”

a bumble bee on the center of a purple coneflower

Boeren says paying attention to which plants are native is also important. “Another approach is to plant seed mixes that will produce flowers native to your area. Also, avoid spraying chemicals anywhere near your plot once it starts to bloom. Neonicotinoids, for example, can be very harmful to moths, hummingbirds, bats, bees, and other creatures.”

Finally, pollinator plants will need periodic maintenance. Every late winter, I remove invasive plants and clear out debris. In early spring, I asked Boeren to come to my plot so he could give his expert opinion on what should be done.

Before he arrived, I mowed the broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) that grows around the perimeter to revitalize it. I also removed the dead stalks of stickweed (Verbesina occidentalis) and other flower stalks that had bloomed the previous year. With the bed of the plot more visible, Boeren didn’t take long to spot several problems — ones that are likely to appear in readers’ plots as well.

“Two invasive plants, honeysuckle and ground ivy, have moved in, probably popping up when you couldn’t see them when the plot was at its peak last spring and summer,” he said. “There’s even a sprig of autumn olive that’s a few inches tall. A songbird could’ve pooped out a seed of that invasive when it was visiting the plot.”

Boeren killed the patch of honeysuckle and ground ivy that blanketed one corner of the plot. No native plant would be able to grow there until the invasive plants were removed. To avoid disturbing the native plants that had appeared nearby, he pulled up the honeysuckle by its roots and dug up the autumn olive, so as not to harm the native wild strawberry plants already in bloom.

Another benefit of creating a pollinator plot is that native plants may begin to appear naturally. Two redbuds (Cercis canadensis) and a dogwood (Cornus florida), both in full bloom during Boeren’s visit, showed up after I stopped mowing that part of my front yard. These two understory trees make a fine border to any pollinator plot.

Other small native trees and shrubs that may appear or can be planted include the Allegheny plum (Prunus alleghaniensis), serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), and numerous species of wild cherries, haws, and viburnums. At another plot on our land, for example, I planted two each of Allegheny plum and serviceberry.

Year-Round Benefits of Supporting Pollinators

Over the course of the dozen or so years Elaine and I have had a pollinator plot, we’ve planted a number of different flora: purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), early sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), heart-leaved aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium), and black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), just to name a few. I didn’t realize at first that I needed to have wild flowers in bloom from early spring through late summer and early fall.

For example, Rosenberger says mining bees can appear in late winter or early spring and are critical early season pollinators. Planting early blooming flora, such as evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), Virginia iris (Iris virginica), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), can be of great service to mining bees and other early season pollinators

Similarly, late-summer blooms fulfill an important niche. Although a crop is often a success or failure by late summer, local pollinators still need food sources during that time.

Black eyed susans with yellow petals and black centers growing among grasses.

“Stickweed, a member of the aster family, is hated by many farmers, because it sometimes forms dense stands,” Rosenberger says. “But it’s a very important late-season bloomer and a favorite of bumblebees. Ragweed causes allergic reactions in some people, and beggar’s lice sticks to our clothes, but both of them provide food for many species of wildlife and are also late-season bloomers. Pound for pound, the seed from ragweed is extremely nutritious for quail and other game birds and songbirds. So whether a plant is a pest, weed, or a wonderful wildflower or forb is really in the eye of the beholder.”

Plus, he says these benefits are ongoing. “Native sunflowers, ironweed, and various asters are other possible additions to a pollinator plot for late-growing season visitors. And the benefits that your pollinator plot provides won’t end after the last plant has bloomed, either.”

I certainly can attest to that fact. For example, last October, long after the last plant in our pollinator plot had bloomed, I noted goldfinches and various species of sparrows continually visiting to scarf down seedpods and to forage among the leafy debris. Come winter, rabbits found cover there, and wintering hermit thrushes had security and food there as well. Pollinator plots truly provide year-round benefits to a wide variety of creatures.

Finally, Bob Glennon, a private land biologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the USDA, offers a creative way to provide both food and cover for pollinators: For cover, he suggests mixing in native warm-season grasses, such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and splitbeard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius), with wildflowers, such as red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), and gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), for their blooms.

Rob Kretz, a consultant for Prairie Moon Nursery, listed four species that would work well in a pollinator plot just about anywhere in the U.S.: panicled aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum), wild bergamot, sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), and dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum).

Good Things Take Time

When we first began our pollinator plot in our front yard, I must confess that the response of other folks, including Elaine, was not positive. Visiting friends snidely questioned if my lawnmower needed repair. My sweet wife even questioned whether anything would come from letting part of our yard “go to seed.”

But one summer day during the second or third year of the plot’s existence, Elaine and I strolled by our creation. Bumblebees were visiting the purple coneflowers, butterflies had alighted on some milkweed, honeybees were seemingly everywhere, and the plot’s blooms seemed to glisten in the early morning light. And Elaine says, “You know, it really is beautiful.”


Native Flowers to Plant in Every Region: Best Pollinator Plants

These suggestions for five pollinator plants and one milkweed for each region of the United States were compiled by Matthew Shepherd, director of outreach and education for the Xerces Society, and from Attracting Native Pollinators and 100 Plants to Feed the Bees.

cluster of purple milkweed flowers growing

Northeastern U.S.

Pollinators

  • Bicknell’s cranesbill (Geranium bicknellii)
  • Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis)
  • Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
  • Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
  • New England aster (Symphyotrichum
    novae-angliae
    )

Milkweed

  • Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Southeastern U.S.

Pollinators

  • Spotted geranium (G. maculatum)
  • Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
  • Joe-Pye weed (E. fistulosum)
  • Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
  • Common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

Milkweed

  • Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa)

Midwestern U.S.

Pollinators

  • Spotted geranium (G. maculatum)
  • Wild lupine (L. perennis)
  • Wild bergamot (M. fistulosa)
  • Purple coneflower (E. purpurea)
  • New England aster (S. novae-angliae)

Milkweed

  • Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa)

Great Plains

Pollinators

  • Wild bergamot (M. fistulosa)
  • Rough blazing star (L. aspera)
  • Narrow-leaved coneflower (E. angustifolia)
  • Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea)
  • Smooth aster (S. laeve)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed (A. speciosa)

Rocky Mountains

Pollinators

  • Perennial blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
  • Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata)
  • Purple prairie clover (D. purpurea)
  • Smooth aster (S. laeve)
  • Rocky Mountain goldenrod (Solidago multiradiata)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed (A. speciosa)

California & Southwest

Pollinators

  • California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
  • Palmer’s penstemon (Penstemon palmeri)
  • Silvery lupine (L. argenteus)
  • Sulphur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum)
  • Eaton’s aster (S. eatonii)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed (A. speciosa)

Pacific Northwest

Pollinators

  • Large-leaved lupine (L. polyphyllus)
  • Perennial blanketflower (G. aristata)
  • Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)
  • Sulphur flower (E. umbellatum)
  • Pacific aster (S. chilense)

Milkweed

  • Showy milkweed ( speciosa)

Bruce Ingram is a freelance writer and photographer and the author of 10 books, including Living the Locavore Lifestyle, a book on living off the land. Get in touch with him at BruceIngramOutdoors@Gmail.com.

Originally published as “Practical Pollinator Plots” in the March/April 2023 issue of Grit and regularly vetted for accuracy.