The Tribune | Weekend | 11
Friday, October 29, 2021
gardening
The importance of natives
I
saw one of the most spectacular sights last week in Exuma. I was visiting a gorgeous property and if you know the islands, you’ll know that there are still enough native plants and trees to satisfy all our native and migratory bird and insect species (and yes, we need insects, they are part of the food circle just like anything else!), much unlike New Providence where the bulldozer has destroyed most of our native flora to the detriment of us all. In this instance, there was a pigeon plum tree that was in full flower, and it was absolutely covered in bees, butterflies, and insects. What struck me other than the fact that the tree was supporting hundreds if not thousands of living organisms, was that it was host to dozens or more monarch butterflies. I have never seen a monarch butterfly in the Bahamas and I was awestruck, it was magnificent to see. Now, I’ve seen the monarch in Canada, and according to studies that I have glanced, our island chain seems to be on the outer edge of their seasonal flight path as they migrate south. I felt lucky indeed to witness such a beautiful and threatened species stopping in and refueling on our islands while on their way to their overwintering grounds in the Oyamel Fir forests in Mexico. For a naturalist and native tree and plant lover, it was a treat. It brought to mind the importance of native species in supporting life. Please read the preceding sentence again. Far too often we tend to landscape with exotic species, mostly originating in Asia or the Indo-Pacific regions, that support nothing more than common garden pests rather than native or migratory species. Maybe one day we will wake up and legislate a law that criminalises the clear cutting of land and the destruction of native trees and plants, in the name of development. We can create a better world for ourselves and for generations to come if we were to mandate that at least one native tree be left to grow on the average sized residential lot, and that major development be mandated to leave a given number per acre, et al. Clearing a piece of land and
planting exotic species does us no favors. Please, stop knocking down all our native trees! We are but guardians and stewards of this only home that we have, after all. When will the destruction be controlled in a sustainable manner? Not only do native trees and shrubs support life (got oxygen?), but they also cool us and calm us down. It seems that the unsubstantiated and irrational fear of trees near a home or building is the common theme, once again, to the detriment of life. Trees are calming and help to ease stress. Being in nature is therapeutic and helps restore health and well-being. With all the violence that this world creates (turn off the TV and go sit in the trees), surely we can reign in the destruction of our native species and start giving back to future generations by leaving alone a portion of what has been given to us, that which supports life and gives us the essential gas that we breathe and sequesters the carbon that we create. Each one of us can plant a native shrub or tree, or at the very least, stop destroying them. Trees make our world a better place. So do vegetables and edible plants. Have you prepped your pots or garden beds for vegetables and leafy greens yet? Now is the time. Most anything that we can grow for food can be planted now. Consult with your favorite plant nursery or
THE MONARCH butterfly garden center for the correct potting or planting medias to use for specific crops or situations if you are unsure. Seeds will sprout quickly at this time of year and transplanting already started plants will give you a jump start. The list is too long as to what will grow now. If you can think of it, it will grow now. Veggies and greens thrive between October and May in our region. Go on out the door and
get in the garden, it’s good for you. Are you composting yet? As always, I wish you happy gardening. • Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at the Fox Hill Nursery. You can contact him with any questions you may have, or topics you would like to see discussed, at gardening242@gmail.com. at gardening242@gmail.com.
