Start Your Own Pollinator Garden

Pollinator gardens have grown in popularity as bee, butterfly, and beetle populations continue to decline. According to the National Park Service, habitat loss, non-native plant species, and pesticide use all contribute to shrinking pollinator numbers. By creating a pollinator-friendly space, you can help protect these important species — and enjoy a vibrant, blooming yard at the same time.

Pollinators do far more than add beauty to your garden. Bees and butterflies help pollinate nearly 70% of the world’s flowering plants, and bees alone are responsible for about one-third of the crops that produce much of the food we eat, according to the USDA.

If you’re thinking about creating your own pollinator garden, here are some easy ways to get started:

Choose plants that attract pollinators

Every region has native plants that thrive and support pollinator health. Check with your local extension office or conservation board for the best options where you live. A few popular choices include:

• Butterfly bush (using sterile or native-friendly varieties), which attracts butterflies and blooms all summer.
• Coneflowers, which bring in butterflies, bees, and birds, with blooms that last well into fall.
• Lavender, a favorite for bees and also helpful for keeping mosquitoes and flies away.
• Zinnias, which attract monarch butterflies and bloom until the first frost.

Plant alternatives

Even if gardening isn’t your specialty, you can still make your yard pollinator-friendly. Birdbaths, small fountains, and hummingbird feeders (filled with plain sugar water and no red dye) provide food and water sources that encourage pollinators to visit.

Reach out to Monnick Supply to get started.

Source: primelending.com