Pollinator gardens that are full of native plants are a lovely way to attract pollinators to your yard. Butterflies, bees, moths, and birds, to name a few, not only love the nectar and pollen from those plants, they need it to survive.

Pollinators like bees and butterflies play huge role in how our plants grow. Some scientists have estimated that one out of every three bits of food that you eat exists because of pollinators. Unfortunately, there has been an increasing decline in many pollinator species due to habitat loss, disease, parasite, pesticides and environmental contaminates.

Here are some tips on adding a pollinator garden in your yard.

Plant native wildflowers

Native plants are most likely to thrive well in your area. They are low maintenance and are adapted to the local conditions. Native wildflowers will also provide the food that pollinators are looking for. Many common garden flowers have been bred by human to exhibit traits they didn’t originally have. Extra petals or different colors are two of the most common traits that are bred into flowers. Unfortunately, those flowers often lack the nectar or pollen needed to attract butterflies.

Top Minnesota native plants for pollinator gardens

• Milkweeds – Minnesota’s state insect, the Monarch butterfly, loves milkweed. Plus, monarch butterfly caterpillars will only eat milkweed. The plant is also a great nectar source for other pollinators.
• Purple Coneflowers – Everything seems to love purple coneflowers! They are bright pink and drought tolerant, which means even if you forget to water them for a while, they should be just fine.
• Black-eyed Susan – The bright yellow flowers of the black-eyed susan are a great nectar and pollen source for many insects. They are also drought tolerant.
• Meadow Blazingstar – Butterflies and hummingbirds love the meadow blazingstar. It is tall and rich in nectar and is also a great way to attract monarch butterflies in the late summer and early fall as they migrate back to Mexico for the winter.
• New England Aster – Crescent butterflies use the New England aster as a host plant for the caterpillars. It’s bright purple flowers make it one of the most striking plants in the fall.

Avoid pesticides

There has been a lot in the news in recent years about the effect that pesticides have been having on the pollinator populations – especially the bees. Pesticides can be absorbed into plants and kill pollinators months after they have been applied. Use organic methods to keep your yard and garden safe for you and for any pollinators that might be stopping by for a visit.

Every homeowner envisions their home with a perfectly healthy and thick lawn to go along with it. Unfortunately, to make that dream a reality, many homeowners rely on harmful chemicals that can have negative effects on children and pets, and can seep into the local water supply.

There are, however, numerous ways to improve grass quality and thickness without resorting to chemicals.

It’s possible to have a healthy, thick lawn without resorting to chemicals.

Eco-Friendly Steps to Getting a Thick Lawn

1. Fertilize
   Each lawn is a little bit different. The pH levels of the soil surrounding your house and the type of grass you have will determine the amount and type of fertilizer that will be most beneficial to your lawn. When choosing a fertilizers, look for a slow-release, organic fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer will provide long-term nutrition while improving soil quality.

2. Add organic matter
   Whether it’s your own or bought at a store, a little extra compost spread over your lawn will help your grass thrive early in the season. Lay down a ½-inch layer and rake it into the grass. If using your own compost, be sure it isn’t steaming when you apply it. Steam indicates the compost material isn’t fully decomposed yet.

3. Pull Those Weeds
   New weeds that pop up in your lawn should be pulled right away, before they have time to establish a strong root system or go to seed. The more weeds there are in a lawn, the less nutrients there are available for the grass. Removing weeds quickly and regularly helps ensure the grass isn’t competing for nutrients and space.

4. Tune-Up Your Mower
   Dull lawn mower blades tend to tear grass and leave jagged edges which in turn will leave your grass susceptible to disease. Sharpening your lawn mower blades will help ensure the blades of grass are cut cleanly. Most manufacturer’s instructions outline the proper way to sharpen the blades or blades can be brought to a professional for sharpening. It is recommended that blades be resharpened after 10 hours of use.

5. Aerate your lawn
   In addition to water and light, roots need oxygen to grow. Aerating – the process of taking out small plugs of the soil – increases the amount of air in the soil, reduces compaction, and allows water and fertilizer to be absorbed more easily into the soil. Aeration can be done in the spring, but it is most beneficial in the fall when weeds are less of a concern.

Finally! I think it’s safe to say winter is over! We survived another season of cold and snow and as our reward, we have three whole months of warmth and sunshine in front of us. That means it’s time to start thinking about backyard improvements.

Summer’s here, and that means it’s time for a few backyard improvements.

Top 5 backyard improvements

1. Patios
   Stone or brick patios allow homeowners to add a bit of design to their backyard without having to go the route of modern art  (am I the only one that never understands what those statues are trying to say?). Beautiful and interesting designs can be made with whatever pavers you choose and are great conversation starters over cocktails and appetizers.

2. Fire Pits
   The smell of summer always seems to be lightly lined with wood smoke and burnt marshmallows. Why travel out to a campground when you could have your own fire pit in your backyard? Whether you go with a free-standing or built-in option, fire pits are the perfect excuse to invite friends and family over for an evening of yard games and roasted hot dogs.

3. Cutting Gardens
   Having a separate flower garden for cutting bouquet flowers might sound a little frivolous or like you’re just asking for more work, but it doesn’t have to be! Cutting gardens are a great way to be able to bring flowers into your home without taking them from your flower garden. By planting a variety of flowers that will bloom through the season, you’ll always have flowers waiting to be brought into your home.

4. Play Areas
   It wouldn’t be summer for the kids without an area for them to play outside. Jungle gyms are just as popular as they have ever been and are the perfect place for kids to let their imaginations run wild with pirate chases or lakes full of alligators . . . what? You didn’t have those in your backyard as a kid? Weird.

5. Decks
   Decks always seem to conjure up images of summer afternoons spent with family and friends and good food. Multilayer designs are a great way to add “sections” to your deck and to help the deck match the design of your house. Another great option for decks are built-in benches, tables, food serving areas, and grilling stations.