If you’ve ever wanted to help improve and support your local ecosystem, a pollinator garden may be a great project for you! A pollinator garden provides local pollinators (birds, bees, and other animals that help carry plants’ pollen) with food in the form of pollen and nectar to ensure that these animals stick around and continue to help pollinate the area.
Choosing a Location
While flowering plants can grow in the shade, think of the animals you’ll be targeting. Most pollinators enjoy basking in the sun, and some of their most well-loved wildflowers will grow best in partial to full sunlight. Along with sun exposure, be sure to check the soil in the area and consider submitting it for testing. Soil and sunlight will go a long way in determining which types of plants will have success growing in the area.
Choosing Your Plants
When choosing your plants, it’s a good idea to research native ones, as they will require less maintenance and are built to withstand the local conditions. A nursery that specializes in local plants will be able to tell you which milkweeds and wildflowers will be best for your garden! Be sure to focus on perennials that will keep pollinators coming back every year and stay away from any plants that have been treated with pesticides, insecticides, or neonicotinoids. You should also consider having a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year so that your pollinators come back all year round. If you have the budget, nursery-started plants are a great way to get started quickly, but seeds that you plant yourself will work too!
Prepping and Planting
If you want to use a raised bed or container, there are plenty of pre-made options available in addition to simple designs you can put together yourself. Converting an existing lawn is also an option, but you’ll need to remove the existing grass and other plants as well as till the soil prior to planting. Wherever you plant, be sure to add nutrient-rich compost or soil to ensure your garden’s success. Most of all, be patient! Butterflies and other pollinators may take several seasons to frequent your garden. Just be sure to weed, water, and maintain the area, and you’ll be sure to create a vibrant addition to your local ecosystem that pollinators will use and enjoy for many years to come!
Butterfly Nets:
https://www.amazon.com/RESTCLOUD-Professional-Butterfly-Stainless-Telescopic
https://www.amazon.com/USATDD-Telescopic-Butterfly-Caterpillar-Extendable
Butterfly Houses:
https://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Wildlife-Habitat-Natural-Gardens
https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Bird-Products-Butterfly
Nature’s Way Multi-chamber Insect House: https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Bird-Products-066561
Nature’s Way Bee House: https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Bird-Products-PWH1-C
Flow Hive for Beekeepers: http://honeyflow.com/email.getambassador.com
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