What are you doing in your backyard?

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The first thing I noticed when I went to Diana Hall’s backyard was her natural area in the city. Diana grew up on a farm and loves native plants.

Back in the corner of their property is a wet spot that grows a lot of great native flowers and grasses. Ironweed, a beautiful tall native flower found in fields, was dug up and transplanted in her yard. Also transplanted were butterfly weed, daylilies, black-eyed susan, phlox, and a willow. Native plants make great flowers for pollinators. Ironweed blooms in the fall and gives the monarchs and other pollinators a food source. Monarchs make a journey south in the fall to their wintering grounds and need late blooming plants.

Also, it is time to start thinking about collecting seeds for next year’s plantings. A nice patch of sunflowers also grows along the fence line that will feed many birds.

Diana also does gardening by the foot. A PVC pipe frame with netting protects her plants from animal damage. Other conservation measures that Diana participates in include bird feeders, pollinator garden, disposing dog waste in her yard, and planting trees. Diana was interested in installing a bat box. Bats that overwinter in caves in the winter have been drastically affected by the white nose syndrome. Installing bat boxes helps bats find a safe roosting site and a place to raise their young.

If you are interested in a Backyard Conservation Audit, contact the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District and speak with Brigitte Hisey, Natural Resource Specialist at 740-636-0279. We can give you ideas for your backyard. Be inspired.

Diana Hall in her backyard.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2015/08/web1_IMGP1838.jpgDiana Hall in her backyard.

By Brigitte Hisey

For the Record-Herald

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