people tend to like to grow as well in their gardens, because it helps the monarch and it looks good.”
Host plants used by other pollinating insects include wild mustards, clover and alfalfa, wild cherry, basswood, nettles, violets and various trees.
Jacki McCrea, of Dan & Jerry’ s Greenhouses in Pella, says that color is an important factor to consider— not only from an aesthetic perspective, but a practical one— as some colors are more effective than others at attracting pollinating insects.
“ Purples, reds— that’ s a lot of things that really draw them in,” McCrea said.
Oranges and yellows are also effective in attracting pollinators, with McCrae recommending the planting of annuals.
Pesticides and herbicides should be used sparingly, and avoided where applicable. Striegel recommends integrated pest management, which includes spacing out where plants are placed and using special traps that specifically attract pests like aphids, whiteflies and Japanese beetles. And a few weeds here and there may also be beneficial if the goal is to attract pollinators.
“ But you do need to allow a few weeds to occur, because some of those are actually really great hosts, either for the larval stage or they put out a really nice flower for the pollinators to visit,” Striegel said.
Another mistake commonly made is to clean out a garden in the fall, but there may be some stragglers. It’ s thus recommended to wait until spring to begin the cleanup.
“ So many people want it to be cleaned up and pretty all winter long,” McCrea said.“ But if you leave that, that gives lots of shelter and homes to pollinators that maybe haven’ t gotten away, or might be hibernating in your garden.”
“
A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO GROW POLLINATOR
GARDENS BECAUSE OF THE MONARCHS.”
SUZETTE STRIEGEL
HORTICULTURE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR ISU’ S EXTENSION AND OUTREACH CENTER FOR MAHASKA COUNTY
14 AGRICULTURE MAGAZINE