Chop & Drop: A Simple, Sustainable Approach to Garden Maintenance
Let’s talk about garden upkeep from a more sustainable, habitat-focused perspective.
Instead of just cleaning up for the sake of neatness, let's put extra thought into how our actions can support wildlife and pollinators. By sharing what we’ve learned and the small changes we’re making, we hope to inspire you to rethink your own garden practices.
One of the easiest and most effective techniques we use is called "Chop & Drop." It’s as simple as it sounds, but it makes a big impact.
At the start of the season, we CHOP back our perennials to different lengths, anywhere from 8 to 20 inches, to make room for fresh growth.
Why different lengths? This variation creates a diverse environment for native bees, especially stem-nesting bees, who rely on hollow or pithy stems to lay their eggs.
By leaving some stems standing (instead of cutting them all the way back), you’re providing these bees with essential nesting sites. As the season progresses, new growth will cover the old stems, and they’ll break down naturally. In the meantime, bees can nest safely, undisturbed. We promise you won't even see the old stems.
Then, instead of tossing all that plant material away, we CHOP it up and DROP it right there around the base of the plants.
By leaving plant material in place, we’re creating a natural habitat for beneficial insects, including pollinators. These little guys are essential to a thriving garden, and by providing shelter and food, we help keep pests in check, naturally. So, not only are you supporting wildlife, but you’re also making your garden more self-sustaining.
Recycling Plant Material for Healthy Soil
The chopped-up plant material doesn’t just sit there; it decomposes over time, adding organic matter back into the soil. This process helps improve soil health and reduces the need for fertilizers. Plus, Chop & Drop helps cut down on the need for mulch, so you’re saving time, money, and energy. It's a win all around!
A More Sustainable Approach to Garden Maintenance
The beauty of Chop & Drop is that it's a low-maintenance technique that actually improves the health of your garden. By supporting pollinators and beneficial insects, you're encouraging biodiversity, which leads to a stronger, more resilient garden that can better resist pests and diseases.
But here’s something else we love about it: time and cost savings. We all know garden supplies like mulch and fertilizers can add up quickly. Chop & Drop reduces or even eliminates the need for these materials, freeing up both your budget and your schedule. Instead of spending time on repetitive tasks, you can focus on things that benefit your garden long-term.
