Gardening for pollinators
Now you might not think about pollinators straight off when you think about gardening. After all, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds have always been part of the background of our gardens. But wildlife habitats are disappearing as our world becomes more developed. Since 80 per cent of crop plants around the world require pollination, it’s vital we bring back some of the environment these pollinators need to thrive.
As luck would have it, the same gardening practices that attract and help wildlife also improve our air, water and soil quality it only takes a few plants and some forethought to create a habitat for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
Some other points to keep in mind:
Select a wide variety of plants to provide bloom plant clusters of each type if possible include a variety of flower shapes Hummingbirds preferred tubular flowers, while butterflies are drawn to more open-faced yellow and purple flowers, as well as herbs like dill, thyme oregano and parsley Bees like a wider selection of flower shapes and types and are especially lured by calamint.
Choose native plants for your region – they’re four times more attractive to pollinators.
Think any, floating gardens (like hanging planters, dangling vines or tail plants) for attracting hummingbirds – and make sure the plantings aren’t crowded. These little birds need space to flutter their wings 75 beats per second!
Provide water. Most pollinators like shallow pools or bird baths – and especially mud puddles (which provide important minerals)
Provide host plants for caterpillars. Colorful butterflies need plants for egg-laying. Yes, the caterpillar babies will eat the leaves, but this is essential to the perpetuation of butterflies. One of the most common larval plants is milkweed.
Remove invasive plant species – they tend to displace the necessary pollinator plants.
Avoid using persticides may – particularly those containing carbamates – are a danger to bees.
To make your garden more sustainable, mulch your beds, reduce the amount of lawn in your landscape, collect rainwater and encourage beneficial insects (AKA, pest predators) to visit. Pollinators – and all wildlife – benefit. With very little maintenance, your pollinator garden will be a welcome haven for all kinds of insects and birds, while adding beauty and sustainability to your life.
