Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Thursday, April 7-April 13, 2022 www.shelbyinfo.com 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 11 Spring Spring we welcome we welcome CLINE'S CLINE'S Nursery Nursery SPRING SPRING KICKOFF! KICKOFF! Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 11am-2pm Find Us On Find Us On FACEBOOK FACEBOOK ©CommunityFirstMedia ©CommunityFirstMedia WE HAVE 1,000's 1,000's OF OF Blooming Blooming PERENNIALS 1901 FALLSTON RD. • SHELBY, NC 28150 704-487-9861 704-487-9861 www.clinesnursery.com www.clinesnursery.com OUR OUR GREENHOUSES GREENHOUSES ARE FULL! ARE FULL! Come by and Come by and see us today! see us today! • FERNS • TROPICALS • FERNS • TROPICALS HANGING BASKETS HANGING BASKETS ANNUALS • TREES • SHRUBS ANNUALS • TREES • SHRUBS AND MORE! AND MORE! 356 E Main St., Lawndale 704-538-0508 ©Community First Media Community First Media Mon-Fri. 7:30am-5:30pm Sat. 8am-4pm Locally Owned & Operated OLD TIMEY ROCKING CHAIRS $ 159. 00 Won't last long! 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I'll Go Out on a Limb For You! • Forestry Mowing • Stump Grinding • Plant Healthcare • Residential & Commerical 704-692-4202 704-692-4202 www.fi sherstreeservice.com Story by Jodi Helmer Courtesy Ourstate.com Watching bees buzz around the garden is not just proof that spring has arrived; it's a sign that important work is happening. Bees are pollinators. In the process of gathering nec- tar from flowers, bees spread pollen, which is essential for producing some of our favor- ite foods. Without bees, there would be no cocoa, coffee, blueberries, avocados, Brazil nuts, or countless other deli- cious and nutritious foods. North Carolina is home to more than 500 native bee species — and they're at risk. Bee populations have plummeted by upwards of 30 percent across various regions in North America and Europe. While the situation is troubling, you can take ac- tion in the garden to support bees. Here are seven ideas to help you protect bees: 1. Garden with native plants Native plants are those that are indigenous to a spe- cific region and adapted to its growing conditions. In North Carolina, species like purple coneflower, bee balm, great blue lobelia, and goldenrod thrive in gardens and provide food and habitat for native pollinators. Debbie Roos, an exten- sion agent at the Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Exten- sion, planted more than 190 native species in the "Polli- nator Paradise" demonstra- tion garden she created in Pittsboro to showcase the beauty of North Carolina na- tive plants. "You're not sacrificing beauty when you choose na- tive plants," she says. Roos maintains a list of her top 25 native plants at CarolinaPollinatorGarden. org. The nonprofit Pollinator Partnership also publishes regional planting guides on its website. Enter your zip code to access a compre- hensive list of pollinator- friendly native plants specific to your region. 2. Choose the best colors When it comes to forag- ing, bees and other pollina- tors have color preferences. One study found that cer- tain colonies of buff-tailed bumblebees prefer violet-col- ored flowers the most. It ap- pears that flowers in this cool hue produce far more nectar than flowers of other colors, allowing bees to harvest more from these blooms. When choosing native plants, keep their color in mind and choose purple and blue when you can (but re- member that bees will gather nectar from flowers in all of the other shades of the rain- bow, too). 3. Plant for all seasons A garden that blooms in spring, summer, and fall is beautiful and productive. Pollinators depend on con- tinual blooms for habitat and food and will suffer in a gar- den that blooms beautifully in spring but goes dormant when summer is over. Roos recommends plant- ing at least three to five species that bloom in each season. Virginia spiderwort, wild indigo, and foxglove beardtongue are good op- tions for spring. St. John's wort, buttonbush, and moun- tain mint bloom all summer long. Meanwhile, spotted horsemint, aster, and joe-pye weed are great fall bloomers. "Having more than one species blooming in every season attracts a diversity of pollinators to your garden," she says. 4. Install housing Most pollinators depend on plants for habitat. Some bees, like mason bees, will build nesting sites in insect holes and hollow stems. These so-called cavity dwell- ers will also move into bee houses made from bam- boo reeds, holes drilled in wooden blocks, and other creative cavities you provide. You can buy mason bee houses at garden supply stores. The National Wildlife Federation also has instruc- tions for DIY versions. Your bee hotel should be hung on a post facing east or southeast. A western ex- posure will leave the bees baking in the afternoon sun, Roos says. "Our bees are losing habi- tat," Roos says. "A bee hotel is a way to help you provide habitat and invite important pollinators into your yard." 5. Set up a bee bath Spreading pollen and gathering nectar can make bees work up a thirst. A "bee bath" gives bees a place to get fresh, clean water. Fill a shallow container with water and several peb- bles or twigs for bees to land on (and keep from drowning) while drinking. Make sure to keep the container filled with fresh water so the bees have a reliable source of drinking water. 6. Steer clear of chemi- cals Pesticides are designed to kill insects — lest we for- get that many pollinators, in- cluding bees, are insects. In fact, researchers at Harvard University linked colony col- lapse disorder, the inexplica- ble death and disappearance of honeybees from their hives, to a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids. "Part of caring for pollina- tors is being careful about the products you use in the gar- den," Roos says. Avoiding chemicals is the best approach, but if pes- ticides are needed, Roos advises not spraying plants that are in bloom and regu- larly visited by pollinators. Applying pest control in the evenings gives residues a chance to dissipate before bees make their morning rounds. 7. Get certified You can demonstrate your commitment to pollina- tors by getting your garden certified. Penn State University of- fers Pollinator Garden Cer- tification and the Pollinator Partnership offers the Bee Friendly Garden certifica- tion program. For a small fee — which supports pollina- tor protection — you'll get a sign for your garden that lets the neighbors know you're making a conscious effort to protect bees and other pol- linators. It might just encour- age them to take action, too. Tips for planting a bee-friendly garden in North Carolina