Each year when I staff the Audubon Minnesota booth at the state fair, I get repeat questions.

For example, there are always one or two visitors who drop by to ask about controlling a Cooper’s Hawk that is preying on birds at their feeders. (Answer: if you don’t want to feed the hawk, close your feeders.) This year, the hot topic seemed to be native plants. “What kinds of shrubs will attract birds?” “What should I plant to get butterflies in my yard?” It seems people are becoming excited about growing plants that belong in Minnesota—excited by their natural beauty, their winter-hardiness and their resistance to insect pests. Excited by the idea that these plants do more than just look pretty—they feed our native wildlife. Fall is a great time to put in a native berry-bearing shrub, or to start a native perennial garden. The results are worth it! As I write this, I overlook the “meadow” we planted ten years ago. The goldenrod are a mass of ochre and mustard and migrating songbirds—kinglets and Tennessee warblers this morning!—are flocking to it.

Check out our tips under the “Pinfeathers” section of this newsletter on where to find native plants.

Happy gardening! And happy birding!

              Sue