Nature & Education

The Meadow & Wildlife

Monarchs, milkweed, pheasants, and bees - a thriving habitat in the heart of Union County, Ohio.

The Meadow

Life in Our Habitat

Our meadow is home to far more than honeybees. Every season brings new visitors - and we're here to welcome them all.

Monarch
Pollinators

Monarch Butterflies

Monarchs visit our milkweed patches throughout summer. We plant exclusively for them - providing the only plant where they'll lay their eggs.

Bee
The Hives

Honeybees at Work

Our bees forage across the surrounding farmland and wildflower meadow - gathering nectar and pollen that becomes raw Ohio honey.

Bird
Wildlife

Pheasants & Field Birds

The meadow shelters pheasants and other field birds year-round. A healthy habitat supports the whole web of life - not just pollinators.

Pollinator Planting Guide

Planting for Pollinators in Union County

By Nawman's Meadow  ·  Union County, Ohio (USDA Zone 6a)

Supporting our local bees and butterflies is easier than you think! Whether you have a vast meadow or a small garden bed, you can create a sanctuary for the creatures that sustain our local ecosystem.

Step 1

Choose Your Ohio Champions

The secret to a thriving habitat is using native plants - species that evolved alongside our local pollinators and are perfectly suited for Ohio soil.

M
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa - The only plant where Monarchs lay eggs. Drought-tolerant once established.
B
Wild Bergamot / Bee Balm
Monarda fistulosa - A bee magnet. Lavender blooms all mid-summer, high in nectar.
A
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae - Critical late-season nectar when most flowers are gone.
F
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis - First spring bloomer. Vital food for queen bumblebees waking from winter.
Step 2

Plan for Four Seasons of Food

A great pollinator garden never stops blooming. Aim for at least three species in bloom each season:

Spr Spring Wild Lupine, Golden Alexander, Foxglove Beardtongue
Sum Summer Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susans, Joe-Pye Weed
Fall Fall Goldenrod, New England Asters
Wtr Winter Leave the stalks! Native bees nest inside hollow stems all winter.
Step 3

Skip the Chemicals

At Nawman's Meadow, we believe in natural, raw processes. Avoid using pesticides or herbicides in your pollinator patch - they harm the very bees and butterflies you're trying to help.

Choose organic mulch, hand-weeding, and companion planting instead. Your pollinators will thank you.

Step 4

Planting Tips for Ohio

Sun
Location: Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Prep
Prep: Smother grass with cardboard and mulch - no harsh chemicals needed.
Seed
Best seeding time: November-January. Ohio's cold winter naturally "wakes up" seeds for spring germination.
Water
Watering: Daily for the first 2 months. After their first year, native plants thrive on their own.

Pollinator Pro-Tip: See It in Action!

Want to see exactly how we prepare the soil, identify a Monarch caterpillar, or choose the right milkweed? Watch us do it live - straight from the meadow.

Follow @nawmansmeadow on TikTok