Creating a backyard buffet for beneficial insects

We are fortunate to have beneficial insects which are predators of plant pests and those who pollinate flowers as they feed on pollen. Gardens which provide plants to attract and nourish natural enemies of plant pests are enjoyable for the gardener as well as the insects. Beneficial insects will not eliminate all pests in the garden, but they can reduce the pest numbers to a level which significantly diminishes damage to the plants. Many vegetables, fruit and nut trees are dependent on insect pollination to produce the bounty of fresh crops we enjoy.

Gardening Practices to help beneficial insects

Don’t poison your dinner guests! Use pesticides only when absolutely necessary, choosing the product least toxic to beneficial insects and applying the product only in the area of highest infestation, preferably in the evening. Broadspectrum or persistent pesticides leave a toxic residue which is more harmful to the beneficial insects than the pest you were attempting to control. Without the assistance of beneficial insects, you will have an increased pest problem. Research the pests you commonly see in the garden. The IPM (Integrated Pest Management) section on the Master Gardener web site has extensive information on pests found in the Central Valley and best management practices. Some pests are only found for a brief period or can be reduced in number with a simple strong stream of water.

The next step is to provide the buffet of plants and flowers which will attract and nourish your beneficial insect friends. Choosing native plants makes this an easier task. The plants will be adapted to our climate and have flowers in colors, shapes and seasons to attract the desired insects. One cause of pollinator decline is the loss of their native habitat. Native plants found in the Central Valley are drought tolerant and many have few plant pests or problems.

Many flowers are shaped to provide pollen for specific pollinators, such as daisyshaped, which provide a platform for the insect to land, obtain pollen and carry it on their body to the next flower. Pollen serves as a protein source for the insect, and the movement from one flower to another provides the mechanism for the plant to reproduce. Other flowers have a tube shape with nutritious nectar collecting in the base of the “cup”. At different stages of their life, the insects consume more nectar, pollen or pest insects. A shallow saucer shaped dish of water is another essential garden item in the heat of summer.

Flowers to include in your beneficial insect buffet

For bees, the colors of yellow, white or blue flowers, and particularly shapes like a daisy flower are a prime attraction. Ceanothus, Santa Barbara daisy, yarrow, California fuchsia, and penstemon, in addition to the flowers on herbs, vegetables and fruits, will provide variety in your garden and attract beneficial insects. Native milkweed is the prime food source of the monarch butterfly caterpillar. California buckwheat or salvia varieties require little summer watering and provide nectar and pollen for many insects and hummingbirds. Plants with foliage and flowers will attract pests, but also beneficial insects. Many of the beneficial insects lay their eggs on the foliage near an aphid infestation. The larvae hatch and aphids are their favorite food source. California Cleome or Bladderpod is very attractive to bees and hummingbirds, while requiring absolutely no care or even summer water.

Inviting beneficial insects can be done a bit at a time

Plan your garden with at least seven species of native plants, choosing plants which bloom in the early, mid and late growing season. Examples include: early — Lacy phacelia and California poppy, Mid — Cleveland sage and common sunflower, Late — California fuchsia and California aster. Concentrating a grouping of a favorite plant will attract the attention of the beneficial insects. his is also an easier way to provide just the amount of water these drought tolerant plants require. Overwatering is a prime cause of native plant death. Especially in the first year, in the heat of summer native plants will require some irrigation as they become established. Check the plant’s root zone dryness with a moisture meter before applying more water.

Online sources for native plant suggestions, descriptions and care

Arboretum.ucdavis. edu has Arboretum All Stars, California Native Garden (with plan), Low Maintenance Garden, Wildlife Attracting Garden and an All-stars Plant Search option.

http://arboretum. ucdavis.edu/allstar1/ index.htm has information and photos of arborteum all-stars for beneficial insects.

CALSCAPE.ORG, a site of the California Native Plant Society, has a planting guide for native plants, a search for native plants by name or region, and locations of public California native plant gardens.

Laspilitas.com is the site of Laspilitas nursery in Central California. They only grow California native plants and their description of a plant details the required soil ph, altitude and water needs in addition to the growth rate, expected size, plant’s preferred location, susceptibility to deer, cultural needs, color photos and garden tips.

On the Master Gardener web site http:// ipm.ucanr.edu/pmg/ menu.homegarden. html, IPM has a section with a natural enemies gallery to help identify beneficial insects.

Books for Reference

“Growing California Native Plants” by Marjorie G. Sshmidt

“California Native Plants for the Garden” by Carol Bornstein, David Fross and Bart O’brien

“California Native Gardening: A Monthby-month Guide” by Helen Popper

“The California Wildlife Habitat Garden” by Nancy Bauer

“Hardy Californians” by Lester Rowntree

A garden with an ongoing bloom display is pleasing for the gardener and provides a continual buffet of pests, pollen and nectar for beneficial insects. We also get to enjoy the fruits, vegetables, nuts and herbs pollinated by the insects. The plant pest services performed by beneficial insects are an additional benefit to planting our backyards with them in mind.

The UCCE Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions at the following venues in March:

Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tulare Garden Festival at Tulare Public Library

Thursday, April 12, 8 a.m.-noon, Visalia Sales Yard Swap Meet, Avenue 296

Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.-noon: Hoffman’s nursery info table in Hanford

Saturday, April 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Exeter Garden Club, Exeter Memorial Building

You can also find us every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at the Farmer’s Market in the Visalia Sear’s parking lot on Mooney. For answers to all your home gardening questions, call the Master Gardeners in Tulare County at 684-3325, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.; or Kings County at 852-2736, Thursday only, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; or visit our website to search past articles, find links to UC gardening information, or to email us with your questions: http://ucanr.edu/sites/ Uc_master_gardeners/. Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook. com/mgtularekings14/.