Backyard Biodiversity Sask

Happy Earth Day from my backyard critters to yours! Today I celebrate all of the tiny insects that call my backyard home and keep it thriving🌎

Even though spring has been excruciatingly slow this year, that hasn’t stopped the birds from migrating. This not-so-little fox sparrow showed up and did some hop‑scratching at the edge of my native plant garden, hoping to stir up something worth eating! It only stayed for part of the day before carrying on, and I can’t wait to see who shows up next.

Way to go team! We made it, winter is over. Now buckle up, cause the crocuses are coming 🌸

Growing crocuses from seed has probably been the most rewarding plant experience I’ve ever had, as it takes a lot of patience (many years) for them to bloom. While I didn’t start any this year, I planted a few dozen 4–5 years ago, and I can’t wait to see how many blossoms I get this spring, stay tuned.

Saskatoon folks, take note. Please consider writing a letter to the Committee to express your concerns about the proposed National Urban Park boundaries. These boundaries do not adequately represent the Swales and exclude key lands that support known rare species. National Urban Parks shouldn’t exist simply to receive funds to maintain status quo, they should exist to conserve nature.

I continue to be gobsmacked by the lack of leadership from our city’s administration when it comes to protecting our last remaining prairie ecosystems. So don’t be fooled by the promise of a National Urban Park when it isn’t fulfilling the very purpose it’s meant to serve.

URGENT Action Required!📣Submit a letter to Committee by Monday March 9 at 5pm.

The Governance and Priorities Committee will be voting on the proposed National Urban Park boundaries on Wednesday March 11. These new boundaries include newly revised lines for the Northeast and Small Swale, which reduce the amount of protected land of the Swales that was endorsed by council on February 22, 2023.

While we are excited that there is still work happening towards bringing a National Urban Park to Saskatoon, we are very worried about the park's proposed boundaries!

We are asking you to write to the Committee by March 9 at 5pm to urge stronger protection and inclusion of key lands.

Find a letter template and instructions on how to submit it, along with maps and more details, here: https://swalewatchers.org/call-to-action

View the agenda item here (6.2.2): https://pub-saskatoon.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=90f7da86-c770-49ba-8178-02fbec061419&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=26&Tab=attachments

Submit a letter here: https://www.saskatoon.ca/submit-letterrequest-speak-council-and-committees

Really great information in this post! Especially about wildflower seed mixes. Make sure if you are wanting to grow wildflowers that you source the seed from a trusted local company! My recommendation for SK growers is always Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company.

They have some mixes for sale on their website 🌸 https://www.growwildflowers.ca/collections/canadian-wildflower-collection

Native plants are clearly important to me! Which means that being a member of the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan is also important! A bonus to being a member is being able to participate in their field trips (adult field trips are the BEST). I can't wait to see where we go this year!

Become a member here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/memberships-native-plant-society-of-saskatchewan

Happy National Bird Day!

Birds have greatly influenced how I grow native plants in my backyard, especially around my pond! This spot brings me so much joy during the warm months, as watching a variety of birds visit is always a highlight.

We built it in the summer of 2023, and I can't believe how well it's filled it! as you can see from the photo. Pictured here also is 3 different species I was able to photograph last spring in and around the water. Because the surrounding plants have filled in so much, it's hard to get clear photos of birds now (no complaints though).

Next years garden space will be quite different than what I am used to. Our "backyard" is expanding from an urban space, to a rural area. We have a hay field that is waiting to become a garden/native plant plots, and access to about 2 acres of native prairie. The majority of my winter sown seeds came from the prairie here, and will be planted out here!

I am beyond excited for this next chapter.

Last nights task was sowing native seeds in milk jugs! I planted seven different types of native grasses and a variety of forbs, including one I’ve never grown before: smooth blue beardtongue (Penstemon nitidus).

What makes this years sowing unique is that all seeds were hand collected by me this past summer/fall from a few locations in Saskatchewan. I am excited to see how they germinate, and am even more excited about where I will be planting them in 2026 --> stay tuned for tomorrows post!