Pollinator Pathway Bend

The season may be winding down, but our roots are still growing!

Come grow with us! We're seeking Board Members of all levels of experience. Introverts welcome!

EAT THIS W**D!!

Common Mallow (Malva neglecta) can be seen all over Central Oregon urban landscapes. Its deep taproot makes it especially difficult to remove, thus making it quite a nuisance in the garden.

Being a close relative to Okra, all parts of Common Mallow are edible:

- leaves can be added to your next batch of gumbo or soup as a thickener
- seed pods look like tiny cheese wheels and can be eaten raw or pickled. They have a grassy, slightly sweet flavor and are great to toss into salads

Thanks to its high mucilage content, Common Mallow has long been valued as a medicinal plant and has traditionally been used to help soothe inflammation and calm irritated airways.

If you're like some of us and missed the window for pulling up young plants, eat them before seed pods dry and disperse!

WHAT IS A MOON GARDEN?

Nighttime is a flurry of activity for pollinators, yet it's often overlooked when we're planning native gardens. A moon garden is designed with evening visitors in mind, featuring pale flowers, sweet fragrances, and blooms that shine after sunset.

Moths are among our most effective pollinators for several reasons:

🦋 Compared to butterflies, moths generally have larger, fuzzy bodies covered with tiny hairs that pick up and transfer pollen from flower to flower.

🌸 Many moths have highly sensitive antennae (especially males), packed with smell receptors. That's one reason many night-blooming flowers produce such rich, sweet fragrances.

🌿 Moths also tend to visit a wide variety of flowers throughout the night, helping move pollen across many different plants.

White and pale-colored flowers reflect the moonlight, making them easier to find in the dark, while their powerful fragrances guide moths the rest of the way.

The next time there's a full moon, step outside, turn off the porch lights, and take a quiet walk through your garden. You may be surprised by how brightly the flowers seem to glow—and by the wonderful scents that only come alive after sunset.

WHAT DOES AN "ESTABLISHED" GARDEN MEAN?

When we talk about planting native, using Xeriscaping planting practices, and decreasing water usage -- there is a common misconception that native plants don't need supplemental water once planted.

We use the term "Establish" in newly planted gardens because regardless of their low water use as adult plants, ALL plants have a period of time where they are getting used to their surroundings, building strong roots, and regulating their energy between leaf growth, root growth, and flower production. This is known as the Establishment period.

Establishing a new garden can take well over a year and requires some extra care and watering. (Deep watering, every other day for first 2 weeks of planting, then use your finger and test for soil moisture - if it's dry at your last knuckle - deeply water!)

Native plants (and perennials in general) have a greater success when planted in fall. This is because the plant has completed its flowering cycle and is focused on growing deeper roots. Combined with cooler nights and less sun, this puts less stress on the plant overall. September is a perfect time to plant, when irrigation still on and there is anticipation of seasonal precipitation.

Most native gardens take about 2 full winters to become strong enough to survive minimal watering. A native garden is a long-term commitment that really pays off with our pollinators, so your extra effort in the beginning is well worth it!

If you have any planting questions, feel free to DM us! We love to help our community grow the Pollinator Pathway!!

Calling all Weeding Warriors! If you have an hour to spare on Saturday, we need some help thinning out Douglas Asters, Milkweed, and doing some transplanting of native plants. Maybe a little weeding...

Bring your garden gloves, proper sun protection, and a digging tool like a hand trowel or hori-hori.

We thank you for helping us keep the Bend Pollinator Pathway a safe haven for our native pollinators!

Drop-ins welcome of drop us a DM and let us know you're coming!