Bees, Butterflies and Birds.

These three B’s are essential to pollination. Pollination is essential to growth.

I have been on a bit of a mission this past summer. I wanted to grow things. Now, as farmers, we grow thousands of acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. But, I was on a mission to grow beautiful pollinator plants around my house.

I always have flowers around the house. Many of my flowers are perennials, which I enjoy seeing pop up year after year. Most of my tulips were purchased from school fundraisers so I bought a pack or two each year, kind of like succession planting. The daylilies come back year after year. We look forward to the magnolia in the spring. We all enjoy when the surprise lilies come up each summer.

This year was different though. As the days went on and there was no rain, I felt the need to plant seeds. I did many small planters so they were easy to water and move around if necessary. It became part of my routine during the week to check the plants and water them. If I found new seeds and an empty container, I planted something.

I never did succeed with the lavender. It must not be my thing.

I thought I had a good start on some mint, but it just kind of disappeared. There was a groundhog living nearby and I had wondered if he ate it. It would be the best smelling groundhog around.

My sunflower patch made me smile. My husband and I planted so many seeds! We didn’t get nearly the sunflowers to equal the seeds, but they all brought a smile to me. I think sunflowers do that.

I raised marigolds from seed and it took until just recently to bloom, but I felt successful.

In one pot from Mother’s Day where a couple plants wilted, I planted some greens. They filled the pot nicely and I chuckled to myself that my grandfather would have been happy I planted something that could be eaten!

With the crops doing poorly in our area due to the drought, I think that is why it became so important to grow something. As farmers, we are producers. When there is little produced, it can weigh heavy on the mind and soul.

I’d like to think my plants brought joy to those around me and kept the hope alive to continue to be producers.