Protect pollinators from this invasive plant.
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Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, is a perennial weed that grows 2-5 feet tall and often appears as silvery feathered clusters in sidewalks, backyards, parking lots, roadways and open fields. It likes sun, but may appear in partial shade.
Similar to other non-native invasive plant species, mugwort will quickly dominate vulnerable areas, robbing pollinators of native food and habitat. So if you see mugwort, mow or cut to the ground every 2-3 weeks for 2 years. Don't pull them. Pulling mugwort may result in more plants because it can regenerate from its extensive rhizomes. Native alternative plants: bee balm, blue giant hyssop, purple coneflower, Joe-pye weed, and swamp milkweed.
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Protect plants from this invasive insect.
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Illustration courtesy Molly Schafer, feralpony.com
Spotted Lanternfly, Lycra delicatula, is a plant pest that represents a threat to Connecticut's environment, residential areas, and agricultural interests, particularly forests, orchards, vineyards, and nurseries. It is an invasive sap-feeding plant hopper that has the potential to severely decimate vegetation along highways, urban areas, edges of agricultural and industrial areas where they can easily become established. Adults crawl, jump or fly short distances. You will see adults from July to November as well as egg masses on tree trunks and other outdoor surfaces. People are urged to squash spotted lanternflies and destroy egg masses by scraping them into a bag of rubbing alcohol, soapy water or hand sanitizer. Learn more about identification and eradication from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and a recent article in the Connecticut Examiner.
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FALL GARDENING TIP
Seed collection starts now.
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L-R seedpods: Milkweed, Coneflower, False Indigo
Now is the time to start collecting seeds from your favorite plants. Harvest dry, mature seeds on a sunny day. Allow seeds to fully dry for a week and then store them in paper bags, never plastic, or in jars in the refrigerator. For tips on how to collect from a variety of native plant seedheads, see this helpful website. Look for winter sowing tips in a future newsletter.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Honey Harvest Festival
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Sunday, September 10, 11am - 3pm. Stop by our tent at the Honey Harvest Festival at the Bartlett Arboretum to learn about beneficial bees. The 4th annual Honey Harvest Festival is dedicated to celebrating honey and learning about the important role bees play in our ecosystem. Family-friendly activities, live music, food trucks, local vendors & artisans, and a honey harvest demo.
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KEEP TOXIC PESTICIDES OUT OF THE FARM BILL!
Your voice is needed.
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Last month we mentioned that the pesticides industry successfully lobbied to insert an amendment into the 2023 Farm Bill currently in Congressional committees.
If this harmful language stands, states and localities would be preempted, or prohibited, from imposing pesticides restrictions. Recently enacted pesticides ordinances in Stamford, Greenwich and other CT communities would be in jeopardy. And Pollinator Pathway Stamford's efforts to save a decimated bee and pollinator population will have been for naught.
We are urging everyone to fill out a very simple form toward the bottom of the Beyond Pesticides web page that will automatically forward your message to your Senators and Congressman/woman based on your address. It will only take a minute!
Scroll down to "Part II: Tell Congress to support communities by opposing anti-democratic preemption language in the 2023 Farm Bill." Fill out your name and address. Once you submit you will see the names of your Congressional delegation and the message, which you are free to personalize. Click on the button below to begin.
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VOLUNTEER DATES
Join PPS in these parks.
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Pollinator Pathway Stamford planted 115 plants, shrubs and 2 trees in Cove Island Park on August 18, 2023. Last year's drought left its toll, but the garden is now beautifully restored from a landscape plan designed by PPS Co-Chair and Master Gardener Melanie Hollas. Stop by Cove to check it out and join us for more planting, weeding and watering in these parks:
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Kosciuszko Park
September 9, 10am-12noon
We have lots of new native plants to plant and will be handing out milkweed seedlings while supplies last.
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Chestnut Hill Park
September 16, 9-11am
We’ll be planting bushes and perennial flowers in the bird habitat area and weeding the pollinator garden.
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BEE CONNECTED
Join Pollinator Pathway Stamford and add your property to the map.
Take the pledge to help bees and other pollinators.
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