A Garden is a Belief in the Future
Tips for keeping your garden a welcoming place for helpful visitors this summer
By Alida Charbonneau, Community Contributor
This story is featured in the 2025 Summer Buzz Magazine, your guide to having the best time this season. You can read our magazine now or purchase your very own print edition.
“If the Bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” — Albert Einstein
Each new day in a garden brings its own unique surprises.
The thrill of seeing them unfold is nothing less than enchanting. As you begin to observe the visitors to your mystical space, you’ll realize some are more welcome than others, although even the peskiest of them can be quite entertaining with their antics.
Hummingbirds are fun to spot in your garden. They especially like red tubular flowers, native plants, and fresh water. These fascinating tiny creatures are known for their remarkable memory. They can remember what flowers they’ve already been to and will usually return to where they were hatched and fed. So, if you decide to offer a hummingbird feeder, try to do this annually.
Should you decide to add a feeder for them, be sure to only use white sugar and water (no added colors) in a 1:4 ratio, one part sugar to four parts tap water. Placing it in a shady area will prevent the nectar from overheating.
Make friends with the bees, and provide them with respect. They usually are harmless if unprovoked.
Taking time to admire a busy bee’s cute fuzzy pollen-loaded legs while they nap in a flower is a garden pleasure not to be missed. You can offer gratitude for their endless work by placing a water feature and some garden debris on your garden for nesting. And remember to be mindful of pesticide use.
Planting native varieties is a great way to attract pollinators, insects, and butterflies.
One such pollinator magnet is the Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed). The Monarch butterfly caterpillars will be delighted to use their bright orange clusters as a host.
Gardens offer endless possibilities, enrichment and rewards. Once you get your hands into the soil, the magic will take hold of you.
