The Power Of Pollen

A pollinator garden is designed to lure natural pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden for the purpose of moving pollen from flower to flower.

Eighty percent of pollinators rely on such gardens for survival, and worldwide approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines must be pollinated by animals, according to pollinator.org. In fact, one of every three bites of food we eat is made possible by a pollinator. And, unfortunately, recent evidence has shown that pollinating animals have suffered from loss of habitat, with the United States losing over 50 percent of its honeybee colonies in the past 10 years.

So when you think about gardening, remember that it can be more than a fun hobby to keep stress away. Even one garden is beneficial in the fight to protect pollinators. Here’s how you can help.

Getting Started

When creating your pollinator garden, choose plants that have a long blooming period from early spring to late fall. It’s also important to use plants that are native to our region. These plants have adapted to the local climate, soil and pollinators and tend to fare well. Planting in large clumps helps the garden’s probability of blossoming, so avoid placing plants in singular lines. Don’t forget to include a few night-blooming flowers to support nocturnal pollinators, such as moths and bats. Installing bat houses gives bats somewhere to hide out during the day. Creating a damp salt lick area provides a broad range of micronutrients for butterflies and bees to consume. And get creative! A bird bath, sprinkled with a bit of sea salt, works just as well as an irrigation line. Butterflies are attracted to overripe fruits, and by placing those types of items in a container, the butterflies will have a resource other than nectar and saltwater. You could also choose plants that hummingbirds favor, including bottlebrush, firebush, yellow trumpetbush, honeysuckle and bergamot.

In addition to a food source, bees also require nesting sites to breed and pollinate. To create a natural place for native bees to reside in, leave a dead tree in the garden or at least spare a few dead limbs.

DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES…

Avoid hybrid plants when planning your pollinator garden. They aren’t beneficial and often lack the necessary pollen and nectar the critters are searching for.

Pesticides should be eliminated as often as possible, as they’re dangerous for the pollinating insects. If pests become an unmanageable problem, though, choose the least toxic pesticide available.

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