Why my yard is full of clover, violets, and dandelions

Let me be clear: I don't enjoy having the only yard in the neighborhood with dandelions, but I tolerate it.  This is why...

The Bee's Knees

I was very excited this weekend to see my first bee of the year.  Bees are a mainstay in my yard.  In fact, anytime I go to the nursery to buy a new plant or look through my seed catalogs, bees (and butterflies) are first and foremost on my mind.  With so many bees dying due to pesticide use and habitat loss, keeping a few dandelions around to feed a hungry bee seems worth it.  Yeah, I've stepped on a bee or two without shoes on, but I'm not allergic so it's not the end of the world.  

I don't just keep bees around because it's the right thing to do.  I also keep them around to work for me.  I grow plenty of fruits and vegetables in my yard so attracting bees is important for my harvest every year.  

Butterfly Kisses

Besides bees, I also like attracting butterflies to my yard.  Not only did I see my first bee of the season this weekend, I also saw my first butterfly and moth.  I'm not sure butterflies have the same power to pollinate my plants that the bees do, but they help.  And they look so beautiful doing it!  

So keeping dandelions may not look traditionally beautiful in a yard, but I think keeping bees and butterflies around is worth it!

This Year's Project

Hardscape is the name of the game this year.  This year we'll get new siding and replace the deck.  To start us off, I've started taking down more of the railing and more of the wood siding on the edge of the deck.  Hopefully, by taking apart most of the deck ourselves, we'll save some money on the whole project.  I just have to be careful to keep the deck kid-safe by removing or bending down all the nails.  It's going to be an exciting summer!

What's blooming in the yard now?