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Written by Kris G., Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener
Many pollinators depend on leaf litter, herbaceous plant stalks, and plant debris to lay their eggs for overwintering. If we remove these items in the fall, then we are essentially removing the next generation of pollinators. Instead of disposing of leaf litter, dead herbaceous plant stalks, and plant debris from the pollinator garden, create a brush pile to put these items in so the next generation of pollinators can survive and flourish in the spring.
Having a general understanding of a native pollinator plant is helpful, but knowing what is offered to pollinators in the way of food and shelter is equally important. Planting a host plant, such as northern spice bush (Lindera benzoin), can offer both food and shelter to the spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papillio Troilus). Similarly, swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (Asclepias syrica) are host plants for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as are other species of milkweed. If you have a host plant in your pollinator garden, chances are there will be countless eggs on leaf litter, inside dead hollow plant stalks, and plant debris so leaving the garden alone until springtime, once the eggs have had a chance to hatch would be ideal. Another option to ensure the health and safety of the next generation of pollinators would be to relocate the leaf litter, dead plant stalks, and plant debris to a brush pile in your yard.
Creating a colorful chart with the name of your native pollinator plant, a photo of the plant, the type of food (pollen, nectar, or both) offered, bloom time of the year, if the plant provides shelter, and whether the plant is a host plant to a specific pollinator would make for a fun fall project while helping you learn more about the bigger “pollinator picture.”
See below for links to additional information on pollinator survival:
Visit the Pollinator Garden at Rutgers Gardens.
Penn State Extension: Fall Garden Care for Pollinators
University of New Hampshire: How to Help Bees and Butterflies Survive Winter
