08/20/2026
🌼 The goldenrod is glowing… and the bees are busy! 🐝💛
Late August in Ontario is a beautiful reminder that the garden isn’t finished yet. Goldenrod, asters, coneflowers and other late-blooming wildflowers are putting on one last spectacular show—and for our pollinators, this late-season buffet is incredibly important.
Goldenrod gets a bad rap for causing fall allergies, but here’s the truth: goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky, so it’s not the main culprit behind hay fever. Instead, these bright yellow blooms are an important source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators as they prepare for the months ahead.
And here’s the fun part… 🌱❄️
There’s an old nature observation that when the goldenrod is blooming, we’re roughly six weeks away from a frost. It’s not a scientific frost forecast—weather has the final say—but it’s a fascinating seasonal marker that has been noticed by gardeners and farmers for generations.
So while summer may be winding down, don’t cut everything back just yet! Those “late bloomers” are working overtime, providing valuable food when fewer flowers are available.
Take a moment to notice what’s blooming around you. 🌼
The bees certainly are. 🐝💛
