DO buy organic plants — Some non-organic nurseries use systemic pesticides (like neonicotinoids/neonics) that may persist in plants for a year or more – actually poisoning the pollinators you are trying to nurture; ask you supplier whether their plants are treated this way, and let them know if so, that you’ll be buying your plants somewhere else; in time, they’ll get the message.

DO leave the leaves — Insects, including pollinators, nestle in them over the winter.

DO save the stems — Native bees lay eggs in plant stems in the spring and they over-winter in them and then hatch the following spring.

DO aim to make 70% of your garden plants native.

DO nurture a patient gardener – Young native plants put lots of energy into growing their deep roots - this is why they are drought tolerant. So, please be patient. Some plants might take a year or two before they put their energy into blooming.

DON’T fog for mosquitos – It is seldom even effective. Be a good neighbor. Know that you are poisoning your neighbors’ yards as well as yours and killing off beneficial insects.

DON’T use insecticides, pesticides, or fungicides.Learn to accept that plants are what bugs eat. Nibbled leaves show that you are helping insects survive. This is good!