As winter settles in and the first frost blankets the ground, you may already be dreaming of warmer weather and the return of gardening season. You may already be thinking about spring and considering what to plant beyond just seasonal vegetables. It’s important to start thinking about these changes you may want to make, not only so you don’t miss out on highly coveted varieties that sell out quickly (we’re looking at you Super Sweet corn), but also to give yourself time to do soil tests and make amendment recommendations based on what you’re hoping to grow in the spring.
One of the most impactful choices you can make to enhance biodiversity in your backyard ecosystem is to create a pollinator garden. Consider planting flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year. It can still be quite cold when the first flowers of spring emerge; in some years, you may spot snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils bursting through the snow in vibrant colors. You may not realize that these early bloomers serve as crucial food sources for pollinators. Including a variety of perennials alongside your seasonal, late spring, and summer plants will benefit local pollinators year-round. A wonderful opportunity to appreciate the efforts you’ve put into your pollinator garden is during the Great South East Pollinator Census! By implementing these changes and reducing pesticide use, you can create a haven for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Restorative and regenerative gardens aim to rebuild what has been lost in the ecosystem. If you have a challenging area in your garden that is difficult to cultivate, it may be an ideal candidate for a restorative garden. You can plant cover crops like clover, which help improve nitrogen levels in the soil and aerate it lightly. Be sure to conduct a soil test in this area, as well as in any other parts you plan to work on, to understand how best to amend the soil.
Bird gardens share many similarities with pollinator gardens but also include key seasonal plants that benefit both flowering pollinators and birds when they go to seed. Birds rely on more than just feeders; they depend on a diverse range of plantings that provide nectar, seeds, fruit, and insects. Sunflowers are an excellent source of food when their seeds ripen, but birds will also eat the insects that are attracted to your garden. If you’re looking for additional plants to include alongside sunflowers, check out this field report from UGA.
If your passion lies with the seasonal vegetable garden, consider intercropping some flowers that attract pollinators nearby. Regardless of the size of your space or the type of garden you choose to create, every garden can make a difference. So, as you start to make your early plans and look for those coveted varieties on sale (we’re looking at you, Super Sweet corn), remember the possibilities!
The author of this article, Kaela Bernardino, is a Paulding UGA Extension Master Gardener, trained to provide education for homeowners on horticulture, sustainable landscaping, and environmentally friendly gardening practices using unbiased, research-based information from the University of Georgia. For more information, contact Paulding County UGA Extension at 770-443-7616 or view our online resources at www.ugaextension.org/paulding.