PLANTING A
POLLINATOR
GARDEN BY MARGARITA COHEN
Pollinator gardens are great for adding interest and diversity to your yard – and in a world that is becoming increasingly urbanized, they also help in restoring the beneficial insects that are crucial to our ecosystems. These gardens are designed to attract bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bats, and even hummingbirds. But why would you want these critters in your backyard? Because they perform the crucial ecosystem service of pollination, making it possible for our
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food and flowers to grow.
den a favorite destination for them. Choose carefully to match the site conditions; natives will flourish without the addition of fertilizers and pesticides. Examples of great North Carolina plants include asters, daisies, golden rods, and sunflowers. For a more comprehensive list of plants native to North Carolina, check out the Pollinator Conversion Guide page on the NC State Extension website at growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-pollinatorconservation/. Avoid modern hybrids which often have been bred to produce larger blooms and color but may have lost their ability to produce nectar and pollen. When buying annuals, purchase older heirloom varieties known to have them.
here are many factors that have been putting pressure on pollinators. Creating a pollinator-friendly yard can help address one of the biggest issues – urbanization. The loss of a habitat that provides sites for overwintering, foraging for pollen and nectar, or nesting has been extremely detrimental. Creating a pollinator garden for your home can be a relatively simple task, as it requires minimal upkeep, and provides a positive impact for these important critters. Creating a pollinator garden is a fun and rewarding project that the whole family can enjoy. As a mother and grandmother, I am always looking for things my family can do together. Creating a pollinator garden is not only fun and educational, but it also gets the whole family outdoors and away from their screens. It also creates a rewarding feature in your yard you can enjoy together for years. Also, finding ways to teach the benefits of protecting pollinators ensures that everyone understands their role in our ecosystem and food chain. Involving your children is not only educational, but it will also help them make eco-friendly choices as adults. They can take what they learned as children and apply it to their future, educating others along the way. Native plants share a long evolutionary history with their pollinators, so including a wide variety of natives will make your gar48
CIRCA Magazine
| July • August • September 2022
|
circamagazine.com
