Some might see pollinators as pretty pests, but they’re actually a key part in the circle of life, and it’s up to us to support them! Pollinators are animals like bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even bats that transfer pollen from one flower to another so they can fertilize and make fruit and seeds. Now that it’s blooming season, here are some ways you can help pollinators visiting your yard:
Limit Pesticides
While you want to kick out any pests eating away at your plants, trees, and shrubs, you want to be careful not to make an inhospitable environment for pollinators that could potentially endanger them further. Limit your use of pesticides or find organic products to use instead. You can also wear gloves and personally trim or remove any pests, infested plants, or weeds.
Offer Food and Shelter
Now to create a more hospitable environment, offer up your home outside of home. Put out a shallow dish of water or erect a birdbath so pollinators can refresh themselves. Can’t decide between composting or throwing out your leaves and branches? You have a third option of keeping your fallen debris from last year in a designated area to offer food and housing for pollinators. We also recommend providing nectar for your hummingbirds and milkweed for your monarch butterflies.
Grow Your Garden
Plant native flowers in clusters and also individually spread out so pollinators have familiar homes to hop around and create community. Make sure you choose spots that don’t get a lot of wind but receive some sunlight and rain. Native plants are also a great way to fight back pests so you won’t have to even think about using pesticide. Be sure to plant various shapes, sizes, and colors that bloom from early spring to late fall to best attract different pollinators as their tastes vary from one to the next. This all means more and more garden and less and less lawn, so you won’t need to mow as much to preserve the pollinators’ habitat.
And if you’re looking for a way to support local bees and beekeepers and enjoy ethically-sourced honey, Wolf’s Honey Bee Farm is a great business in Goshen, Ohio that you can order or purchase in store with us.
At Burger Farm and Garden Center, we want to equip everyone with the tools and knowledge to make their plants, lawn, and garden beautiful and healthy. Learn more and visit us today at burgerfarms.com.