Remember when fireflies lit up the night sky in the thousands?

Currently, childhood delight is only a regional phenomenon. Three years ago I last saw some lightning bolts in a swampy valley in rural Romania; Before that - a decade ago. Also during the day, have you noticed a loss of insect diversity over the past thirty or more years?

If so, you are not alone. After driving in the countryside you can determine the cleanliness of your car windows/lights or the amount of pollen in your garden and orchard. Habitat loss is the primary culprit for the declining number of pests worldwide.

This occurs on a large scale as small farms are fed by larger, more intensive agriculture. Huge farms come in more expansive fields (and lower margins!), Which are constantly fertilized and sprayed with pesticides, insecticides, and other agrochemicals. Everything for feeding a growing plant, some may declare, but if we dare to be different, what is the point of thinking of an alternative and increasing the number of pests? Pest infestation is also caused by planting non-native, invasive species that confuse plants and animals alike. Just like a lawn that you maintain properly, climate change also plays a role in pest fall.

Why should traditional lawns and traditions change

Quickly look for pictures of a traditional meadow and you will see the green. The carefully decorated lawn will look beautiful in its own way. Whether you are barefoot or in shoes, short grass is comfortable to walk on. This allows you to see where danger lurks, such as snakes, ants, spiders, or dog tutus. This is a wonderful place for a summer getaway. However, a traditional meadow comes with a lifeless fall of insects - outside of them are loud chirping sounds called mosquitoes.

Want to keep the dandelions green, without "weeds" and stains?

It requires regular mowing, watering, weeding, and of course chemicals. Did you know that nearly 80 million pounds of pesticides are used annually in grasslands in the United States? That's an amazing amount of toxic chemicals!

How to change traditions

Realize first that the grass does not need chemicals to grow. It is not practical or practical to use large quantities of clean, potable quality water to keep your lawn green. Nearly 1/3 of all residential water use in the United States goes to irrigated land! Let it sink for a second. "If there is running water, let's use it!" This can be taken as a selfish act of humanity.

However, if you are setting up a garden with sustainability in mind, reducing your water consumption may actually be one of your priorities. Stop using chemicals, reduce your need for irrigation and create ways to improve the diversity of your lawn. That's it!

Avoid spraying chemicals on the ground, now in the hope that you will not hurt anything downhill - there will always be something, someone, some birds, insects, fox, owl, rat, frog, or fish downhill. We are all connected. Be a positive change that nature wants and turn your lawn into a wildflower lawn, starting today!

Selecting native lawn species

Which species you choose to incorporate into your wildflower meadow will be dictated based on your location on earth. How to find out what is produced locally? For several weeks in the summer, look at what is growing on an existing lawn or two. Take detailed pictures, sit down, observe and amaze all the insects that come and go. Take a notebook to find out which plants you see. If you have a nursery near you, stop and ask as many questions as you need to find the plants you are looking for. Depending on where you are, there may be some plants to add to your wildflower lawn: