Pollenator Attractors

If you don't have some wildflowers, or at least some blooming weeds in your yard, plan for them. Attracting bees, wasps, moths and other pollinators will increase your yields - and they add a little joy to the grim slog of Depression 2.0. It's easy enough to tear up some ground and chuck wildflower seeds around. And often, the plants will come back year after year, provided they're suited to Florida. I've had zinnias, morning glories, tobacco, marigolds, sunflowers, 4 o'clocks, Florida cranberry and wild mints come back in subsequent years. Perennial plants are even better. The ornamental sage below is great for attracting good insects and hummingbirds. Bonus: it starts by plant division, so if you get one, you can later cut it into chunks and spread it around your yard (I put them beneath my fruit trees) once it gets big enough to divide. Also - don't forget to include some Bidens alba in your yard somewhere... it's perhaps the most incredible bee and butterfly magnet that's ever popped up in an un-mowed lawn. (More on that particular plant soon.) Make some habitat for the pollinators... your fruit trees will thank you.