Hashtags to follow on #SolarPunkSunday
#CriticalMass
#RepairCafe / #RepairCafes
#LibraryOfThings
#EndOf10
#VisibleMending
#Rewilding
#GardeningForPollinators
#GrowYourOwn
#GardeningForPollinators
#UK - How #WildlifeCorridors Are Helping Animals Survive In #Urban Areas
By Sarah Whitmore / 20 May 2025
Excerpt: "How animals actually use these corridors
"Let’s take #hedgehogs. Urban hedgehog populations are declining sharply — partly because their ability to roam has been limited by garden fences, walls, and roads. A hedgehog might need to travel over a kilometre in a single night to find enough food and a mate. The Hedgehog Street campaign has shown that something as simple as a 13 cm hole in a garden fence can turn a neighbourhood into a habitat network.
"#Bats, which are legally protected in the UK, rely on uninterrupted linear features like tree rows and waterways to navigate. When gaps appear in these features — from tree removal, #LightPollution, or #development — their movement is disrupted. Creating corridors that link #roosting sites with feeding grounds can dramatically increase their chances of survival.
"#Amphibians, especially species like common toads, face seasonal danger when crossing roads to reach breeding ponds. #UnderRoadTunnels and #AmphibianFriendly #drainage routes, used in projects supported by organisations like #Froglife, have proven successful at reducing #roadkill and supporting local populations.
"#Pollinators like #bees and #butterflies also benefit immensely from corridors. Isolated #wildflower patches can’t support long-distance foraging. But when these patches are linked — even via #roadside verges or #SchoolGardens — insects can move more freely and establish healthier, more resilient populations."
Read more:
https://thenaturenetwork.co.uk/how-wildlife-corridors-are-helping-animals-survive-in-urban-areas/
#SolarPunkSunday #RewildTheNight #UrbanSprawl #Development #Nature #WildlifeCorridor #UrbanRewilding #NatureCorridors #NatureCrossings #Wildflowers #GardeningForPollinators
#Urban #WildlifeCorridors Help Mitigate #Climate Effects
Kyle Chan February 26, 2025
Excerpt: "#GreenCorridors offer a promising start to mitigating these urban issues, allowing cities to naturally lower temperatures through evapotranspiration, a plant process that releases water vapor to cool the surrounding air. Increased vegetation will also allow more hazardous particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to be absorbed, reducing greenhouse gas concentration and improving air quality.
"#Columbia’s second-largest city, #Medellín, launched a green corridor initiative in 2016. Since then, environmental planners there added rows of vegetation along the most polluted avenues, maximizing the amount of CO2 intake from their $16.8 million investment. Maurício Correa, a researcher studying environmental engineering at a Colombian University, found that the 8,800 trees planted became effective 'green barriers' against particulate matter and reduced average city temperature by two degrees Celsius.
"Fighting #ClimateChange isn’t the only thing green corridors can do. Historically, #wildlife has rarely been welcomed into urban life, experiencing drastic changes in the #ecosystem. However, nature-based infrastructure can promote #biodiversity and provide animal species with a safe habitat. Green corridors are indeed multi-purpose and flexible. To maximize the limited space in busy cities, green corridors can function as recreational centers, city facilities and much more—all while mitigating climate change.
"Green corridors can be an effective solution for any city anywhere. In #NewYork, the #ManhattanWaterfrontGreenway consists of almost 32 miles of #BikePath lined with various plant species. Urban '#NatureWays' in #Singapore mimic the natural #rainforests by incorporating trees with #canopies stretching across the roads."
Read more:
https://emagazine.com/urban-wildlife-corridors-help-mitigate-climate-effects/
#SolarPunkSunday #UrbanRewilding #GardeningForPollinators #Nature #UrbanWildlife #GreenCities #GreenSpace #BikePaths
Our most popular stories of 2025
#RewildingMagazine
Dec 26, 2025
Backyard lizards, converted golf courses and the case for turning down the lights.
"As the year comes to a close, we're looking back at the articles we published that were especially well read. Here, in case you missed them the first time, are the top five stories of 2025.
A million thank-yous to our subscribers, contributors and supporters. We look forward to covering even more global rewilding stories in 2026.
Happy New Year!"
https://www.rewildingmag.com/our-most-popular-stories-of-2025/
#SolarPunkSunday #LunarPunkSunday #RewildTheNight #DarkSkies #Rewilding #Amphibians #Reptiles #GardeningForPollinators #GolfCourses #Forests
Beginner-Friendly #Vegetable and #Flower #Garden Plans
"We’ve put together a collection of free garden layouts and plans to make planning your garden easier—and a lot more fun. Created by our expert gardeners, these vegetable, flower, and mixed garden designs are easy to adapt to your space. You can fine-tune any plan using our Garden Planner. Check back for more plans over the season."
https://www.almanac.com/free-garden-layouts-plans-library
#SolarPunkSunday #VegetableGardens #GardenPlans #FlowerGardens #GrowYourOwn #GardeningForPollinators #Gardens
Meanwhile, back in our yard, the native grasses and wildflowers are sleeping -- hopefully for the winter! The sticks mark the beds where I planted them!
I Didn't Know That!: Leave the Leaves
"When fall arrives, many of us grab a rake and bag up fallen leaves without thinking twice. But did you know that those crunchy piles are more than yard waste? They’re also winter homes for pollinators!"
National Park Service
"A cozy blanket for pollinators
For many insects, leaf litter acts like a cozy blanket. It insulates against cold and moisture, giving them a safe place to survive the winter. Bees, butterflies, and moths all take shelter in ways you might not expect:
Bees in the ground: Many bumble bees, sweat bees, and mining bees dig down into soil and rely on leaf cover for insulation.
Bees in stems: Most small carpenter bees, mason bees, and leafcutter bees nest inside hollow or pithy plant stems, sometimes sealing themselves in until spring.
Butterflies and moths: Many species overwinter as chrysalises, cocoons, caterpillars or eggs tucked among leaves, stems, or twigs, quietly waiting until warmer days.
What you can do
Leave the leaves: Instead of bagging them up, let them stay as overwintering habitat for pollinators!
Or move them just a bit: You don’t have to leave the leaves where they fall to help pollinators. You can do a little clean up and move the leaves to garden beds or around tree bases.
Rake or blow. Don’t shred: Instead of using your mower to collect and shred leaves, use a rake or a blower and keep the leaves intact. This provides better habitat for pollinators and keeps you from accidentally destroying eggs, caterpillars, and cocoons already on or within the leaves. Leaf-eating bugs will help by eating and breaking up leaves as they decompose.
Skip the yard “cleanup”: Hollow stems and twigs might be hiding sleeping bees. Instead of disposing or burning pieces of wood, create a brush pile for pollinators! Looking for a “clean” look? You can hide the pile behind existing landscaping or use the larger pieces as borders to define the edges of your planters!
Think small: Even leaving just a corner of your yard untouched can make a big difference for pollinators.
Wait for spring: You’re not procrastinating, you’re helping pollinators! Instead of cutting back plants and cleaning up your yard in the fall, wait until spring is underway. This will give pollinators a winter home and allow them to emerge before your spring cleaning.
So next time you hear that satisfying crunch underfoot, remember, you might be stepping over a pollinator’s winter hideaway. By leaving the leaves, you’re giving nature a helping hand until spring. "
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt_leave-the-leaves.htm
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForPollinators #LeaveTheLeaves #Gardening
How to Build a #BeeHotel (Guide with Pictures)
Excerpt: "Many native bee populations have been in steep declines over the years. Some species are actually threatened with extinction. So anything we can do to help mitigate and prevent further damage to bee population will be beneficial. And not just beneficial to the bees, but the rest of the ecosystem, as bees are key pollinators for all the fruits, vegetables, and flowers that we enjoy!
So, in addition to planting native plants, we can create even more habitat for bees by building bee-houses and bee-hotels. And besides looking great in a garden, they can attract some friendly solitary bees! Solitary bees live by themselves, and don’t have a queen/hive. They only sting if threatened, get caught up in clothing, or are stepped on. So they are a minimal risk to people/pets.
And, many of these solitary and native bees are better for pollinating your flowers and vegetables than honey bees……."
https://growitbuildit.com/how-to-build-a-bee-hotel-guide-with-pictures-from-log/
#DIY #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingForPollinators #GardeningForPollinators
8 #BeeBricks, and #BeeHotels to buy right now
Here are 8 of the best...
By Natalie Cornish, Published: 11 January 2019
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a25853310/bee-bricks-bee-hive-bee-hotels/
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForPollinators #BuildingForPollinators
Today's the day! Doing some #DormantSeeding while setting up the bird feeders. Hoping there's enough yums for my feathered friends so they don't go after the seeds.
I did some of that yesterday before the rain set in.
7 Plants to Cut Back in November Before It's Too Late, According to Gardening Pros
By Lee Wallender
Published on 11/07/25
"As gardening season winds down, November is the best time to cut back many types of plants in your yard, including favorites like bee balm, daylilies, and hostas. Learn from garden experts which plants to cut back in November."
Read more:
https://www.thespruce.com/plants-to-cut-back-in-november-11841342
#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening #NorthernHemisphere #BeeBalm #Daylilies #Hostas #Irises #Peonies #Phlox #Flowers #GardeningForPollinators
Good thing I looked this up. I need to wait a wee bit longer before attempting to do some wildflower / native grass #DormantPlanting. First big freeze was last night. I need to wait for a couple more. However, I can at least rake and prep the area I want to plant in.
FAQs About Planting #Wildflowers In Fall & #Meadow Maintenance
"For Climates With Freezing Winters
Generally Zones 1-6 | Northeast, Midwest, and The Rockies
When to plant:
In areas with a deep winter freeze and shorter growing seasons, we recommend a dormant planting for seeds in fall. Dormant planting means spreading seeds after a few killing frosts, so that the seeds lay dormant over the winter.
What to expect:
The goal of dormant planting is for seeds to lay inactive over the winter. Sowing should happen only after several killing frosts and when ground temperatures are continuously below 50°F.
Germination will begin the following season after ground temperatures have warmed up to above 55°F.
What to plant:
In these climates, you can sow annual wildflower seeds, perennial wildflower seeds, or a mix of annuals and perennials."
#SolarPunkSunday #FallPlanting #Gardening #GardeningForPollinators #Wildflowers #DormantSeeding
Oh boy! Well, it's a bit too windy to plant seeds today, but I've gotten a bunch ready -- found out one of the wildflowers has deep roots (Blue Cornflower), so I'll plant those in other parts of the yard. My plan is to establish a wildflower and native grass meadow over our leach field. Goldenrod, Black-Eyed Susans, Cosmos, Butterfly Weed, Indian Blanket, Poppies, Clover, Goldenrod -- all have shallow roots and should be safe to plant. I'll also be expanding the wildflower garden around our dug well and near our young oak tree. The Cosmos and Milkweed did well there, but I'd like to have a little more variety for our bee and butterfly friends!
#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildflowers #GardeningForPollinators #DormantSeeding
Our house is full of plants. And more are covered up outside... Focused on the remaining flowers, cabbage, beets and potatoes outside, brought the chard and potted flowers onto the porch. We'll see what survives the frost. But I'll have some goodies for the remaining pollinators (and maybe some other goodies to harvest for us next week).
#GardeningForPollinators #GardeningHacks #ClimateChangeGardening #SolarPunkSunday
Hard freeze predicted tonight. Now the difficult task of determining what I'll try and save, and what to let go of. I'm going to try my best to save some flowers for my bee buddies. 🥀 ❄️
So, folks in #Maine / #NewEngland. I'll have extra #CosmosSeeds (pink) and #CatnipSeeds to share. DM me for deets, and we'll figure out how to mail / share them!
#SeedSharing #SolarPunkSunday #AcclimatedSeeds #GardeningForPollinators #ClimateChangeGardening
Oh, and of course all the stuff that's gone wild -- #Milkweed, #Asters, #Catnip and #Oregano. Our #pollinator friends appreciated that. Saw the last young #MonarchButterfly about to fly south the other day.
#GardeningForPollinators #GardeningThoughts #SolarPunkSunday
So, I've been figuring out what worked and what didn't work with this year's garden. I've broken them down into three categories...
- What worked?
- What didn't work?
- What could have worked?
First off... What worked?
Nightshades - Red potatoes, sungold tomatoes and paprika peppers (though I had to keep on top of the hornworms on all 3 species).
Rainbow chard and beets (though the beets suffered in the heat). I let a few plants of both species go to seed, so now I have fresh seed.
Lettuce and onions (grown together in containers). Though some critters were getting into the onions. Luckily, I had plenty to start with. I harvested some lettuce seeds, but also have plenty on hand. None of the onions went to seed, and I'm going to think about planting more in the vegetable garden so I can forget about them and let them go to seed.
Black beans worked out well, but not as many as I would have liked. Plenty of seeds for next year, though.
Chinese cabbage seems to be doing well. As are most of my potted herbs.
And surprisingly, butternut squash seems to be doing well (as did the cucumbers). I may focus on them next year, and get some netting for them to climb (one squash plant took over a nearby forsythia bush, and is producing a big ol' squash).
Cosmos flowers! I finally have them reseeding themselves in a garden around our capped dug well. Zinnias and marigolds are *almost* at that point -- but I started some indoors to make sure.
What didn't work? Peanuts, soy beans, lavender (I can never get it to bloom), celery root (though I still have a couple of plants that survived), poppies (planting them in the fall this year). Transplanted wild strawberries didn't take as well as I wanted, but I can cultivate more of them, since they are still in quite a few spots (maybe I'll work around them, rather than move them).
What could have worked? Corn, sunflowers, septic field flowers -- all *victims* of a young deer that was born in my neighbor's woods. I may have to put up some fencing (something I hate doing).
As for for other things I've been growing, my grandmother's rose bush was *not* crazy about the heat, and some of the peonies are getting crowded out by irises, so those will need attention. Mock orange bloomed quite well, and one of our walnut trees will hopefully produce walnuts next year. I've been watering from the rainbarrels as much as possible, and have used Bt to keep the mosquitoes at bay. But we had plenty of goldenrod, milk thistle, asters, dandelions and other flowers to keep our pollinator friends happy (they made a HUGE comeback this year).
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningThoughts #ClimateChangeGardening #Gardening #GardeningForPollinators
It's been a week...! Can we start #SolarPunkSunday on Saturday? Anyhow, I do have some cool articles I'm planning to share, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's posts!
#DeGrowth #RightToRepair #LibraryOfThings #BuildingCommunity #Resiliency #RepairReuse #RepairCafes #VisibleMending #LibrariesRule #SpendTimeInNature #Rewilding #GrowYourOwn #PreserveTheHarvest #GardeningForPollinators
Client Info
Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.07
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst