Planting for Pollinators: Soft Landings Revolutionizes Landscaping

A new approach to landscaping is gaining popularity among gardeners and environmental enthusiasts. Dubbed 'Soft Landings', this method involves creating diverse plantings under keystone trees, which provide food for various caterpillars that develop into butterflies or moths. These pollinators are essential for songbirds, and a third of Minnesota's native bees specialize in collecting pollen from specific plant families.

The fall project begins by removing sod around the tree to create space for planting, which will start with native sedges as a base layer. Flowering plants that bloom throughout the season will be added, taking care not to harm the tree roots. This approach supports various life cycle stages of beneficial insects and provides food for pollinators and songbirds.

Soft landings have numerous benefits, including building healthy soil, sequestering more carbon than turfgrass, and reducing soil compaction and time spent mowing. The project can be completed in the spring after the snow melts, using existing leaves as a natural mulch.