Pollinators are an essential part of a healthy garden. In many cases, these creatures fly from flower to flower of their own accord, naturally helping the plants reproduce and flourish throughout the seasons. Unfortunately, your garden may need a little help sometimes. Here’s how to attract pollinators to your garden.
Do Your Research
Many different kinds of pollinators might visit your garden, but the most popular ones are usually hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Find out which creatures are native to your area as well as which plants they like. It’s best to have a variety of pollinators visiting your garden, so try to have as much variety as possible among your plants.
Plant Wisely
What you plant has a big impact on who visits your garden. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds need nectar as well as pollen, so be sure to plant nectar-rich flowers to attract them. Plants that bloom in various seasons are also useful. When you’re arranging your garden, place blooms close together so that they’re easier for pollinators to spot. Trying to choose the perfect seeds or location for your garden can be overwhelming, but with so much information online and innovations such as Bloomin’s seed paper, getting started has never been easier.
Avoid Pesticides
It’s not all about the planting, either. Part of keeping a pollinator-friendly garden is creating a safe environment for them. If you have all the right plants and you’re still wondering how to attract pollinators to your garden, try cutting out pesticides. Many pesticides, including organic ones, are toxic to pollinators. In fact, not using pesticides at all is one of the best ways to protect honeybees—some of the most important pollinators out there. If natural pest control solutions don’t work for you, at least limit your use of pesticides. Only spray in the evenings when pollinators aren’t as active, and avoid spraying any blossoms that would attract pollinators.