Plant a Pollinator Patch This Fall
Fall is a great time to establish native pollinator habitat! Manitowoc County SWCD has pollinator seed kits available for $16, featuring a certified native seed mix with 23 plant species and enough seed to cover approximately 1,000 square feet. Fall planting allows winter’s natural freeze-thaw cycles to help prepare seeds for germination and positions them to take advantage of spring moisture — plus, it can be easier to tackle now than during the busy spring season. Before planting, remove existing vegetation and prepare a clean seedbed so the native seed has good soil contact and less competition. Each kit includes a planting guide, and SWCD staff are happy to answer questions along the way. Kits are available for pickup at our office.
In case you’re curious – Here are the species:
Mondarda fistulosa (Bergamot), Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed), Astragalus canadensis (Canada Milkvetch), Asciepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root), Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose), Ratibida pinnata (Yellow-Coneflower), Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue), Agastache foeniculum (Giant Hyssop), Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster), Verbena stricta (Hoary Vervain), Coreopsis lanceolata (Lance-Leaf Coreopsis), Pycnanthemum virginanum (Mountain Mint), Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), Heliopsis helianthoides (Ox-eye Sunflower), Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge Pea), Dalea candida (White Prairie Clover), Potentilla arguta (Prairie Cinquefoil), Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover), Penstemon grandiflorus (Large Beardtongue), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats Grama)