Moonlit Movie Magic
Do you love avocados, chocolate, watermelon, or tequila? You have bees, birds, and bats to thank for these popular treats and many of the everyday foods you may leave the grocery store with. POLLINATORS AND THE FOODS WE LOVE Nature’s Helpers
According to the U.S. Forest Service, almost all of the crops humans consume, 80% to be exact, require pollination from animals to grow. In Indiana, there are many natural pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, ants, and beetles. National Pollinator Week is June 17–23, and it’s a great chance to think about your yard and the important pollinators stopping by. You can incorporate various plants into your garden to attract specific pollinators and contribute to your local ecosystem. Pollinator gardens are fun and colorful, and they give back to the planet. Here are the essential elements you need for your own pollinator garden.
Whether it’s blocking pucks during a street hockey game or checkmating chess hustlers at the park, traditionally indoor activities take on an entirely new feel and flavor when taken outside. While a rare sight these days, movie-goers worldwide used to enjoy cinema from the comfort of their cars at drive-in theaters. These made a brief resurgence during the pandemic, but now that movies are rolling in theaters again, the fad has begun to die off. These days, if you want to watch a movie, it seems like you are limited to three options: Watching it at the theater, on your TV, or on your phone or tablet. Now, I think we can all agree that watching a movie outside on your phone does not make for a great cinematic experience. Debtrette, a TikTok influencer and mom, has a suggestion. She put a spin on an old classic — family movie night — by holding it in her backyard with all the conveniences you would expect at a movie theater — like an air mattress, pillows, and blankets! If you are looking for a fun way to spruce up a traditional movie night, what better way than to bring it outside under the stars? Here are some necessities to make your moonlight movie night truly magical: • A portable projector screen, like a sheet on a clothesline • Portable movie projector • Candy, popcorn, and beverages • Some outdoor seating and cushions • Lamps, lanterns, or candles • Warm blankets • The perfect movie to bring it all together You can find screens and projectors to fit any budget, and your movie selection will depend on the crowd. Just make it fun: Lie back on the grass and watch “Antz” or lounge in the pool while watching “Jaws”! The key is to make the experience unforgettable, and all who share in it will be thankful for your effort to make it all possible. HOSTING THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
FOOD Pollinators primarily feed on the leaves, nectar, and pollen of plants. So, the best way to draw them to your garden is by planting a diverse selection of flowers. It’s wise to aim for a mix of flowering plants that are early, mid, and late-season bloomers. By offering options throughout the seasons, you’ll ensure there’s something for everyone. Opt for native plants that naturally provide physical cues, like their colors, for native pollinators. Depending on your property, you may even have some native species already growing that make a perfect meal for pollinators. HABITAT Like any animal, these creatures need the proper conditions to make a home for themselves. The majority of pollinators prefer sunny areas and dense or connected gardens. Insects visiting your yard will seek somewhere to lay eggs and escape the elements. Bees, in particular, gravitate to nesting sites like small patches of bare ground, logs, and areas with taller grass and plants. To keep your overall yard tidy, designate a small corner for nesting habitat by leaving a small portion of the ground bare. WATER Your pollinators will also need a water source, though many will gather that from dew or recent rainfall. To further entice bees or butterflies, add a shallow water basin with sloped sides or rocks so they can get a sip without drowning. Pollinators use water like any other living being to hydrate, regulate their body temperatures, and reproduce. Next time you see a bee or hummingbird, another common pollinator, remember they are vital to the environment and the foods that support the human species.
2
AnthonysLawnCare.com • AnthonysTreeRemoval.com • 812-345-5694
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator