Insect food

– Posted in: Miscellaneous
5 comments

Goldenrod provides food for many beneficial insects. It deserves a place on your property where it won’t overwhelm more domesticated plants (if you can find such a place).

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

When dealing with frost it is always best to be paranoid. In the spring never think it is too late for one more frost to come. And in the fall never think it too early.

~Rundy in Frost

5 Comments… add one

Julia Myers April 28, 2021, 3:29 pm

Thank you for this posting. I’m fighting a losing battle with this stuff, which had totally consumed the front flower beds of a home we bought 2 years ago. I made good progress last year, but so much is back this year. I will say that after digging up a lot of it last year, it seems to be coming up more easily this year from places I dig up last year. I feel like I have a lifetime battle with this. Thank you for commiserating with me.

Bruce Radzwion August 25, 2019, 2:41 am

I have 5 acres, half field/meadow, that I have owned since 2015, I have let things grow in areas, with raspberries, blackberries, Goldenrod, and Milkweed, and weeds, and grass…and planted things in those areas with them, like Hazelnuts, Lilacs, etc. But, I have Milkweed growing with my Goldenrod, who is going to win this environment?!?

Leo A Blair II September 15, 2013, 8:39 pm

Hello Kathy,
I’m really confused now that I’ve looked at photos of Rag weed and Golden rod on the internet?? Is there a particular smell to either one of these plants(weeds)? We are senior and have fell in love with gardening several years ago and the party goes on:-)).
We use to live in the Rochester area but moved in Apr 2013 to Massachusetts.
Our garden (Raised Beds) 30″ high have done real well this year. Tomatoes galore and 3 kinds of Kale all doing fine. Hope you have had a great year too.
Thanks , Leo on a mountain.

Kathy Purdy September 15, 2013, 9:34 pm

I think goldenrod has a fragrance. I don’t know how to explain it except that it reminds me of late summer. I wouldn’t try to sniff ragweed since it is full of pollen and causes hay fever in some people. I don’t know why you’re confused because the two plants really don’t look alike. Ragweed isn’t showy at all.

Leo A Blair II September 16, 2013, 6:30 am

Thanks for your email.
I will further investigate as our field has lots of yellow looking weeds?
Leo on a mountain.

PS Love your site.

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