Unrestrained: The Story of the Short Pollinator Garden
I decided to add another bed to the Pollinator Garden, and if finally became a reality in late December 2025.
The new bed was on a slope, so we leveled it a bit by adding a few inches of compost. Also added a mulch path between the original Tall Pollinator Garden and the new Short Pollinator Garden bed.
(Photos below - during and after bed construction)
Our native soil is fairly heavy clay which makes planting a bit hard, but this time planting was easy due to the layer of compost on top.
Most plants were 4" and 1 gal size. Mostly dormant since it was winter, albeit mostly warm winter. The last photo was taken right after planting, and of course we had a taste of winter in January and whatever wasn't dormant, went dormant then.
(Photos below right before and right after planting - late December 2025 - followed by brief winter weather - late January 2026)
Winter weather did not linger... A few short days and spring weather made a return.
(Photo below - March 2026)
I am so happy with the progress of this little bed. It has really filled in during the last four months. While there is still plenty of growing that will happen, it is already supporting pollinators and other wildlife.
(Photos below - April 2026)
It is time to stop replacing nature with landscaping. How can you build a healthy ecosystem in your own backyard that will support our birds, pollinators and other wildlife? Simple! Plant native plants. Don’t use pesticides. Water only as needed. And enjoy…
(Photos below - early May 2026)
