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Written by Brittany Killingbeck, Stewardship Technician at the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, for the April 2025 Wood Duck. With the arrival of warm spring days we are inevitably drawn outside to tend to our gardens and yards, but the traditional approach - removing leaves, cutting back vegetation, spreading mulch, maintaining the lawn, and filling yard waste bags for collection - is frankly bad for nature, especially insects which are essential for life. Insects pollinate wild plants and agricultural crops, help control pests and maintain the natural balance, improve soil health, clean up dead or decaying matter on land and in water, are a crucial part of the food web, and act as bioindicators for the environment. They provide invaluable ecosystem services that keep nature (and us) alive. Unfortunately, insects are declining worldwide. Multiple factors like habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticides, pollution, disease, and climate change are driving population declines in even the most remote areas of the globe. As individuals we can work together to make a difference for our local insects, starting in our own backyards. We can't see many insects right now, but rest assured most are right where we left them in the fall - in our gardens. When we clean up the yard we’re cleaning up those valuable insects too, so if we want to support biodiversity in our backyards we need to shift away from pristine landscapes to something a little more wild. That doesn’t mean it needs to look neglected though! With some strategic adjustments to our maintenance activities we can keep a neat, bylaw complying yard that supports insects while saving ourselves time too. The common advice for spring cleanup is to wait until the daytime temperatures are consistently above 10-15°C with no risk of frost, after which the insects will have left their overwintering spots and it is safe to clean up. However, we know that different insects emerge at different times of the year and the insects that take flight later will still be inside the plant debris we plan to remove. Instead of cutting, raking, and bagging away the old vegetation:
Another consideration is that a majority of our native bees and bumble bees nest in the ground and need bare soil as suitable habitat. So skip the tilling and heavy mulch chips in favour of undisturbed bare soil and natural mulches like leaves, plant debris, and sedges that create wonderful nesting habitat.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room - lawns. Over the last decade the “No Mow May” campaign has become popular in part due to its (over)simplicity and there have been many discussions evaluating its effectiveness. Anyone can participate by delaying mowing their lawn, which does allow some flowers to grow among the turfgrass and provide early-season sources of nectar. However, the species that typically grow (ex. dandelions, clover) are non-native plants that are less nutritious than native plants and do not provide good quality habitat. After the four weeks are up mowers and leaf blowers are powered up to restore the lawn’s aesthetics, destroying the minimal habitat created in the process. The campaign’s greatest benefit is arguably its ability to spark conversations, break social norms, and encourage both individuals and municipalities to explore ecologically-friendly management practices. No Mow May should be considered a stepping stone, not the destination. A more intentional approach to supporting insects is to replace part of the lawn with a diverse native plant community, which will provide food, shelter, nesting habitat, and overwintering sites for insects. Some people dive head first into converting their entire yard while others expand the garden edges little by little each year. For maintaining the lawn you’d like to keep, try to reduce mowing to every two weeks throughout the growing season, raise the blades to keep the grass at least 8 cm tall, and skip the pesticides. If you’ve been inspired to create a native plant garden or already have one established in Hamilton, you can certify your pollinator garden through our collaborative Hamilton Pollinator Paradise Project and receive a “We’re Feeding Pollinators” sign to display and spark discussions with friends and neighbours. Happy gardening!
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By: Emilia Fytikas, HNC Summer Intern In the Concession Street Business Improvement area (BIA), a vibrant shopping area of Hamilton, a new community initiative is adding more color to the sidewalks. Led by BIA Chair Eva Martens and with the support of many volunteers, this project has created much-needed habitat for pollinators while showing the public the benefits of native gardening. Creating habitat for pollinators by planting wildflowers in an urban environment contributes greatly to their survival because they need access to food sources within a small radius of their nests. Doris Sanchez, the Executive Director of the BIA, reached out to HNC’s collaborative Pollinator Paradise Project program to have the planters certified as pollinator gardens. This initiative is a great contribution to the project, which aims to support pollinators by providing food and shelter for them across the city. In June, the people of Concession Street BIA assembled 52 planters, about half of which contain only native plants. These mini-gardens, tended by Eva and community volunteers, contain a variety of native species supplied by Verbinnen’s native plant nursery, including Wild Bergamot, Butterfly Milkweed, and Coreopsis. Eva consulted with Butterflyway Hamilton to choose native flowers that are showy, bloom quickly, and provide excellent food sources for pollinators. Eva’s first native gardening project started four years ago, when she decided to start a garden by the Hamilton Public Library on Concession Street. Eva acknowledges the support she received from a native plant group on Facebook and the overwhelming response from the community. "Over 20 people showed up," she recalls. The project caught the attention of Master Gardener Bev Wagar, who has been extremely helpful throughout the project.
Eva excitedly explained her plans to expand the project further. Potential future initiatives include introducing more native shrubs, organizing plant sales, and hosting native seed giveaways using seeds harvested from her gardens. This is a great project because it promotes biodiversity and engages the community with nature. One of Eva’s achievements, which made this project possible, is that she advocated for changes in the city's procurement processes to include native plants. Her goal is to raise awareness and inspire future generations to appreciate and conserve local ecosystems. Having little bits of high-quality habitat surrounding us helps us become more in tune with the intricacies of nature. If you are thinking about or already have a garden in Hamilton that contains some native plants, please visit the Pollinator Paradise Project website to get it certified as a pollinator friendly garden and receive a “We’re Feeding Pollinators” sign. The website also includes useful resources to help you get started. As a community, we can create a greener, more sustainable future for Hamilton. Whether you're trying seed starting for the first time or are looking for different species to grow, seed libraries are an excellent place to source new seeds and connect with the gardening community. It's easy - visit the seed library, take what you need at no cost, and grow it in your garden. In the future you can donate seeds back to the seed library for others to use or share your seeds with friends. Here are some local seed libraries to check out:
 What better way to spend a cold winter day than curled up inside with a book? Enjoy diving into the world of pollinators this winter with a book or two from our list.
General Knowledge & Guides Learn about the intricate web of life we are a part of, how to level up your garden, or gain a new perspective on the world around you. Indigenous Knowledge
General Knowledge
Gardening
Identification Want to learn more about your pollinator friends? Grab an identification book on a pollinator that has caught your eye to get started. We recommend using a camera with decent zoom abilities to photograph your garden visitors, then compare your photos to the ID guide. You can upload your photos to iNaturalist or Bumble Bee Watch, where experts and community scientists can help identify the species. Bees, Bumble Bees & Wasps
Butterflies & Moths
Other Pollinators
Plants
We were thrilled to have our York Blvd location participate as a sidewalk showcase in the Halton Region Master Gardeners' inaugural Garden Journeys Open Days event this past August. The event showcased dozens of native plant gardens across Hamilton. Organizers Allyn Walsh and Bev Wagar have shared their reflections below. Garden Journeys Open Days, Hamilton’s new open-gardens event held over two weekends in mid-August, was a step into unknown territory. It wasn’t about tidy yards, curb appeal, or even pretty flowers. Garden Journeys instead aimed to promote native-plant gardening and to support ecological gardeners, veterans and novices alike. Organizers Allyn Walsh and Bev Wagar, both members of the Halton Region Master Gardeners, also wanted to help garden hosts and visitors expand their networks of friends and resources. With the enthusiastic approval of the other members, the two got to work.
Allyn and Bev hatched the idea for an “alternative” open-gardens event when they realized they both loved to show their gardens with like-minded enthusiasts. “I wanted to show that an ecologically functional front yard can be beautiful,” says Allyn. “And I wanted to encourage everyone to re-think their home landscapes. Changing the direction of a gardening journey can start with a single plant.” “The dominant aesthetic of manicured lawns and lollipop shrubs simply must give way,” says Bev. “More than ever we need biodiversity on privately owned land, even small urban gardens, to help counter the alarming declines in global insect populations.” Most of the fifty gardens listed were residential. Hosts, usually the gardener, were on hand during open hours to answer questions and give informal tours. “We asked a lot without really knowing what to expect. Hosts really went all-out and we’re grateful for their support” said Allyn. “Next year’s format will reflect our hosts’ feedback, especially around scheduling.” With an average of three visitors per three-hour time slot, Bev and Allyn estimate a total of 600 visits were made during Garden Journeys Open Days. Nearly all hosts who responded to the followup questionnaire mentioned how much they enjoyed meeting other gardeners. “Visitors were engaged and interested in our story and I was grateful to hear other people's journeys and advice,” said Karen Lawrence on Lynndale Drive in Dundas. “The sharing of ideas and perspectives was wonderful. People were really interested to see how a pollinator/native garden works versus a 'traditional' garden”. Steve Hill, another host from Dundas, liked “being able to share my garden with keen community members. It was amazing to have conversations with folks who have been gardening for decades, and those who are just getting started.” Another host mentioned having visitors who’d travelled from Toronto and Simcoe to see these unusual Hamilton gardens. Several hosts mentioned they wanted more time to visit gardens. “I tried to do a whirlwind tour of five gardens in three hours” said Bev. “But it was just impossible to do a quick visit. There was always so much to talk about. So many great plants being used in interesting ways. Amazing innovation and creativity.” Next year’s event will retain most of the innovations of 2023—the interactive online map, the in-person hosting, and the flexibility in open hours—but will aim to include gardens from Burlington as well. To read more about Garden Journeys Open Days or to get involved, visit https://haltonmastergardeners.com/garden-journeys-open-days/ Winter is a quiet time for pollinators and humans alike. Plants have gone dormant, pollinators are safely tucked away, and we spend the short winter days dreaming about spring. Puttering away in the garden might not be an option right now, but we can definitely start planning for the next growing season! We have curated a selection of books for all ages to explore this winter. Learn how to identify different bee species, dive into the world of oaks, or read a fun story to kids. General Knowledge & Guides Take a deep dive into the world of native plants and pollinators with these books. Some act as guides to help establish or extend your pollinator garden, while others take a broader approach to examine the interconnectivity of native species and the environment.
 Identification Want to know who’s who in your pollinator garden? Identification guides will help you reveal those mysterious garden visitors. Not sure where to start? Pick a type of pollinator (bees, butterflies, flies, etc.) or plant (wildflowers, trees, etc.) that interests you and grab one of the ID guides below. Spend some time over the winter familiarizing yourself with the book’s layout, identification keys, and important ID features. We recommend using a camera with decent zoom abilities to photograph your garden visitors, then compare your photos to the ID guide – much easier than chasing a bee around the garden with a book in hand! You can upload your photos to iNaturalist or Bumble Bee Watch, where experts and community scientists can help identify the species. Bees, Bumble Bees & Wasps
 Children’s Books Of course, we can’t forget the budding naturalists! Help kids connect with nature and science through engaging stories and illustrations. See how they apply the stories to their own lives and backyards.
  Humans have a long history with seed collection – our agricultural systems are based on growing and collecting seeds. Seed collection and cleaning can be a meditative process, making us calm, happy, and relaxed. In late July we held a native seed scouting workshop hosted by seed collection expert Stefan Weber from Carolinian Canada Coalition. Stefan shared his knowledge with 40+ participants who will use these new skills to collect native wildflower seed and expand or create new pollinator habitat across Hamilton. We’ve summarized all the main tips and tricks below! Getting Started Plants are unique and complex. Different species have different seed collection times, storage requirements, and planting needs. You will need to research the species you are interested in beforehand – when are the seeds ripe, how will you need to store them, do they require stratification or scarification, etc.? Looking up as much information ahead of time will help to avoid unpleasant surprises and potential disappointments like under ripe, moldy seeds! Ethical Seed Collection When you engage in seed collection to grow native plants you are a steward of the land. You are responsible for conducting yourself and your seed collection pursuits in an ethical, ecologically-friendly way. 1. Landowner Permission Prior to collection, you need to get explicit permission from the landowner to collect seed. Seed collection is typically prohibited in national and provincial parks along with non-profit or private natural areas. Public access to natural spaces does not mean we can take from these areas. 2. Only Collect 10% of Available Seed Best practice is to collect only 10% of available seed from a wild population. By removing only a small random portion of the seeds and leaving the rest you are helping to preserve the genetic diversity of the population, allowing the plants to replace themselves, and ensuring the population is healthy enough to harvest from the following year. And be mindful – if you notice seed has already been collected from that site, find another population to harvest that year. * Home gardens are very different from wild populations. You can harvest as little or as much as you like from your personal planted population. If you’re planning to collect from your own garden, don’t deadhead! It will promote more flowers throughout the growing season but it cuts off the seed head and you’ll have no seeds to collect. Equipment Seed collection does not need to be an expensive venture. You can find most, if not all, of the equipment listed below in your home. Here are the basics for seed collection:
Collection, Cleaning & Storage You’ve done your research, have all your equipment, and are standing in front of your chosen plant. Before you jump into the rhythmic process of harvesting seed heads, conduct a quick ‘cut test’ to determine if the seeds are ready to collect. Ripe wildflower and grass seeds will be hard, dry, firm, and white or straw-coloured like nuts. If it does not look like this, it is not ready to be collected. Crumbly and dark? No good. Gooey or sappy? Under ripe! If the seed heads are damp or wet they can be left in the paper or fabric collection bag to dry, or spread out on a flat surface if they are densely packed. Once they’re dry you’re ready to clean. Seed cleaning means that you are removing all of the debris from the seed. You can start by shaking the bag around to dislodge the seeds from the seed heads, or pouring them out into a tub and massaging them with your hands. Make sure you know what your seed looks like and how big it is, you don’t want to discard them by accident! Once the seeds are separated from the seed heads you can run everything through several decreasingly-sized sieves – you keep what falls through the sieve and discard anything that stays on top. When you think you can’t remove any more debris gently blow across the seeds to remove the smallest bits. Store your cleaned seeds in a paper envelope or plastic/glass container with the species, date, and collection location clearly marked (you will thank yourself later!). Each species needs its own pre-treatment method prior to being sown - i.e. stratification and scarification. In nature these are things like seasonal changes and digestion. Google is your best resource to determine what species needs what treatment! You many need to leave your seeds in the fridge for a few weeks or months for them to be able to germinate. Or you might find yourself using sandpaper to wear down the outer protective layer. Enjoy exploring the wonderful world of native plants and seed collection!
  by Rogina Jabel
Bee City is a North American movement that began in Canada in 2015 and was inspired by a similar program in the United States called Bee City USA. The focus of the program is to mobilize cities, towns, and First Nations communities to develop initiatives that protect pollinators. In February 2021, Hamilton joined the ranks of Toronto, Mississauga, Montreal, Calgary, and many more as the 39th city in Canada to be designated as a Bee City. But why make such a big deal about bees and other pollinators? It’s simple. Without them, our food supply would be seriously jeopardized and healthy ecosystems that clean the air would slowly collapse. Pollinators are small animals and insects like bees and birds that travel from one plant to another carrying pollen to the female part of the flower (stigma), which kicks start the pollination process enabling flowering plants to reproduce. According to pollinator.org, this nearly invisible process gives us fruits, vegetables, nuts, prevents soil erosion, and increases carbon sequestration. This vital process requires attention and support. Pollinators need help! This is where programs like Bee City come in to ensure our pollinator friends are protected and properly sustained. So, how did Hamilton become a Bee City? This was made possible by pollinator protection initiatives like The Hamilton Pollinator Paradise Project, which is a collaborative effort between the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and Environment Hamilton. The Pollinator Paradise project assisted the City of Hamilton in applying for the Bee City Status, and continues to work with the City to meet Bee City’s deliverables. Additionally, the project intends to connect pollinator corridors across the city by creating pollinator habitats in both private and public spaces. This project couldn’t have come at a better time, especially now where several native bee populations are in decline and extinction risks by region and by species have been described by experts as “catastrophic” (Brown, 2019). If this project sounds really exciting to you, you’re probably wondering how you can help! Well, you can start by planting native pollinating plants in your garden, and if you’ve already started you can apply for a free certification to acknowledge the awesome work you’re doing! Additionally, if you consider yourself a gardening master or know someone who is, you or your friend have the chance to win a Hamilton Monarch Award next year, which recognizes the efforts of several locals who have been long-time friends of pollinators through their garden, and have been practicing sustainable gardening. With Barb McKean, 2020 Hamilton Monarch Awards Recipient. During spring migration a couple of years ago, an unusual bird showed up in Barb McKean’s garden. A Brown Thrasher rustled about in the remains of last year’s leaves covering the flower beds, popping up to gulp down an early bug, then getting back to work foraging through the leaves some more. It stayed for three days. Barb's friend said the very same bird had dropped by her yard for a couple of days as well. And do you know why? Their yards were the only two naturalized gardens on their street. It goes to show: if you build it, they will come. Barb, who is Head of Education at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has compiled an inventory list of her west mountain property that encompasses over 170 species and varieties of plants. How long has this habitat-creating maverick been at it?  Plants for pollinators include speedwell, butterflyweed, coneflowers, bee balm, echinacea and mountain mint. Host plants for butterfly and moth caterpillars are also important. Guest post by Angelique Mori. Published in NANPS 2020 Fall edition of Blazing Star.  American lady larvae on Everlasting .As human-dominated landscapes relentlessly diminish ecosystems crucial for our own survival, it’s wise to consider the words of writer/ecologist Doug Tallamy, “Garden as if life depends on it.” Native plants support not only human life but the lives and reproductive capacity of countless animals. They are foundational to the inter-connected systems and associations with fauna that have evolved over millennia; remove pieces and the complex system risks collapse. When we plant native flora in our yards we not only restore habitat, but a whole world of wonder emerges.
Sara Stein’s Noah’s Garden (1993) serves as an inspiration to dedicated habitat gardening. Each individual who contributes to this effort promotes awareness, applying eco-conscious practices in their own life. This has a ripple effect in each community. Passers-by may feel inspired, seeing an urban native plant oasis lush with life. The spark created by your garden may lead to curiosity, learning, action and the sharing of knowledge. Among the wild, unexpected delights of a native plant garden are the insects. People may scoff at the foolishness of providing nourishment for what they perceive to be pests. Yet these tiny protein packs invite the creatures that eat them! Frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds, bats and others relish the bountiful insect buffet! Consequently, it’s imperative to be pesticide free. Moreover, messy garden areas invite magical evenings dotted with the twinkling dance of fireflies. Visualize the extraordinary emergence of monarch butterflies, whose exclusive host plant is milkweed (Asclepias spp.), or the doily-like foliage created by nursery-constructing leaf cutter bees. Every spring, the redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) in my yard takes on a lacy effect as a result of their harvesting! |
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Environment Hamilton: https://www.environmenthamilton.org/ Hamilton Naturalists' Club: https://hamiltonnature.org/ |