This post is not really about vegetable gardening, but if you want to encourage Virginia's native birds & bees, you might want to consider adding some native plants to your yard.
This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (female) would sure appreciate a native habitat! /Credit |
Native plants are low maintenance once they're established. They don't need to be coddled because they're used to the climate of the Mid-Atlantic.
More information about the sale is available here (along with a plant list, if you're like me and want to do some research).
There are plenty of resources online if you'd like to read up on native plants & wildflowers. Here are a couple that I've found useful.
The US Fish & Wildlife Service publishes Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping. It's a small book that should answer most of your questions.
I like the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center because their website has a search engine that lets you find recommended plants based on amount of sun & water the plant will get & the state you live in.
Of course your local public library has plenty of books, too. Find it by entering your zip code on this page.