How Insects Help Gardens
You might think of insects as garden pests,
but may insects and birds play a vital role in pollinating plants and distributing seeds for new plant growth. In fact, without these animal and insect helpers, most plants would be unable to reproduce.
Even though most gardeners understand how important this cycle of pollination and seed disbursal is, few fully understand why it occurs, or how it benefits both the plants and the animals.
It's obvious how this benefits the plants – their seeds are spread around and new plants are started in the next garden or next street. But there are also benefits to the insects, birds and even the mammals such as:
Nectar – nectar is actually a sugary solution, and therefore it is highly prized by all kinds of animals both for its good taste and for the ample energy it provides. Getting at this nectar is what prompts most pollinating insects, birds and animals to do such a good job. Nature has provided plants with various ways to attract pollinating insects, birds and animals. Many types of flowers store their nectar in special glands called nectaries. These nectar glands are most frequently found in flowers, but they are also sometimes contained in leaves or other parts of the plant as well. Many plants have a built in system that protects their nectar from insects that are non pollinating, they do this by storing the nectar in places that only the desirable insects can reach.
The use of nectar and the plants, insects, birds and animals that depend on it is a fascinating study in co-evolution. The sugar concentrations of many plant nectars have evolved to match the energy requirements of the types of animals, birds and insects that pollinate them. For instance, bees require a 30-35% concentration of sugar in order to make the honey needed by their larvae in the winter. Therefore, bees will not visit flowers whose nectar contains less than 30% sugar. Therefore, the flowers and plants that depend on bees for pollination have evolved high concentrations of sugar in their nectar to attract these pollinators.
Pollen – Pollen is another substance plants use to attract insets and birds. Pollen is eaten by bees, and it is also used to make a substance called bee bread, which is a high protein combination of pollen and nectar. This bee bread is used to feed the larvae, which require a high concentration of protein to grow and thrive. Some plants, such as peonies, poppies and roses, use only pollen as a reward and produce no nectar at all. Some plants make two kinds of pollen – their pollen that is used to reproduce and anther sterile pollen that is quite tasty to pollinating bugs. This evolutionary strategy ensures that the good tasting pollen will be eaten while the reproductive pollen will be spread to other areas by the insects, birds and animals that visit the plant.
Another way flowers attract these birds and insects is by their bright colors and strong aroma. The birds and insects are attracted to the colors and smells that get them the nectar they need.
Some of the pollinating creatures rely only on sight and are attracted to the bright colors, but other insects roam about at night and they are attracted by the scent of the flowers.
More Gardening Tips:
Hot Climate Annuals
Annuals add splashes of color to your garden all year long,
but you must choose plants that are suited to your climate in order to have lush thriving flowers.
Starting Your Annuals Off Properly
Annuals are among the most popular plants with gardeners everywhere and are much loved for their hardiness, color and variety. In order to get vibrant annuals in your garden you need to make sure you start them out properly.
How To Plant Annuals For Perfect Flowers
Annuals provide season long color to your garden and can be started from seed or purchased pre-grown from your local garden center.
Pest Control For Perennials
Perennials are great to have in the garden because they bloom season after season. This continuous blooming makes them special but also insure the need to be vigilant about garden pests.
Preparing Proper Soil
Good soil is the key to growing healthy and vibrant flowers and should be the first thing you tend to when planning a new garden. You must make sure you soil has the right mixture of PH and nutrients before planting.
About Daffodils and Tulips
Bulbs are popular in gardens for their ability to bloom season after season, and perhaps the most popular bulbs of all are daffodils and tulips.
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