Day 70: What Showed Up When I Stopped Mowing
Day 70. My 4x4 pollinator patch is full of life. Here’s what showed up when I stopped mowing and started planting.
What’s Blooming
- Zinnias (peak)
- Cosmos (peak)
- Marigolds (fading)
- Sunflowers (peak)
What Showed Up
- 11+ bee species
- 6 butterfly species
- Hummingbirds (2)
- Ladybugs
- Lacewings
- Hoverflies
What I Learned
- It doesn’t take much space. 4x4 feet is enough.
- Different flowers attract different pollinators. Variety matters.
- Stop mowing. The wildflowers came back on their own.
- Skip the pesticide. Everything eats everything else here.
What I’d Do Differently
- Plant earlier (April, not May)
- Add more cosmos (they bloom the longest)
- Leave more bare soil
What’s Next
Expanding to 8x4 feet next spring.
— Day 70 of 70. Continuing.