Planting For Lawn Pests
As I sit on my porch watching the activity in my front yard, I am reminded why I keep the turf I have. The concept among so many in the native plant world is that turf must be eliminated and replaced with a native ground cover if it's going to be a landscape that supports wildlife. While a landscape devoid of native plants certainly does little to support the diversity of life possible, it is short-sighted to believe that it is the only solution. My remaining patches of turf support lawn pests and I welcome them. The glossy and white ibis that reside in my area, use my lawn to feed and that food is critical to supporting them. The mole crickets that live just beneath the soil surface and the chinch bugs that require my St. Augustine grass are species that I would not have otherwise. Each day, as the troop of ibis work their way across my lawn area, I am reminded that having this turf is important. I also know that it would feed the caterpillars of Carolina satyrs, clouded sk