Blog
Welcome to the blog where I share information, resources and thoughts about my passion for Ecological Gardening.
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Winter Storage of your Mason Bee Cocoons
After cleaning your mason bee cocoons, there are a couple options for storage over the winter months. A homemade container is possible, as are commercially produced ones. Storage Containers Store the cocoons…
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Steps for Harvesting Mason Bee Cocoons & House Cleaning
The process of harvesting mason bee cocoons and cleaning their houses should be done in October to mid-November. This vital process removes mud, frass (bee poop), and mites from the cocoons and…
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Alternatives to Invasive Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Originally from Eurasia, common periwinkle was introduced from Europe in the 1700s for its fast, dense coverage as a trailing evergreen groundcover. Common periwinkle is a plant so ubiquitous that reference to…
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Common Parasites Found in Mason Bee Houses
Many of us reap the rewards of native mason bees pollinating our fruit trees in the spring. We provide houses to attract and keep these beautiful bees close to our gardens. In return,…
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Alternatives to Invasive English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy is certainly one of the most common and widespread invasive species on Salt Spring Island. I think we are all familiar with this fast-growing evergreen vine as a dense groundcover…
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Choosing the Best Mason Bee House
At the talks I give on native plants and bees, people often ask me what the best houses for mason bees are. I’ll discuss the options, and their advantages and drawbacks. The…
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Alternatives to Invasive Daisies
A familiar and cheerful sight on the roadside, the oxeye daisy is easily recognised by its open white flowers with yellow centres. Native to Eurasia, Oxeye daisy was introduced to North America…
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Alternatives to Invasive Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
European yellow flag iris is known to exist in Saanich but thankfully has not yet been found running amok on Salt Spring Island. Let’s take this as a warning, and do our…
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Alternatives to Invasive Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)
An extremely familiar plant for those living on the Pacific Northwest, with its alluring fat and delicious berries guarded by vicious thorns known to pierce even leather, the Himalayan blackberry is both…
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Alternatives to Invasive English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
English holly is beloved for its red berries over winter and associated with Christmas, as well as the classic carol, The Holly and the Ivy (which now makes my invasive species antennae…