Increasing habitat destruction and widespread pesticide use are resulting in dramatically dwindlingpollinatorpopulations.
Find a Location
You dont need a lot of space to create a pollinator garden.
Even pots on patios can pull in the pollinators.
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They also appreciate a sheltered site.
Too much wind can make flying and landing on those nectar-filled blooms a challenge.
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Create a mixed mini-meadow that flowers successively from early spring to fall.
The different bloom timings, colors, shapes, and heights willattract more pollinatorsand provide nourishing nectar for longer.
Dont forget to include some plants that act as caterpillar hosts, too.
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The species you should choose depends on the conditions and the types of pollinators in your region.
Your local nursery can offer advice on practical, native, nectar-filled favorites.
Its just that you and the pollinators will have to be patient and wait longer for them to bloom.
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If you dont have bare soil patches to plant it, you might need toremove an area of lawnfirst.
Fortunately, native plants are hardy species that often survive in poor sites.
Water Regularly
Native plants often require less irrigation than non-native species.
Adding a water source, like aDIY bird bath, helps to keep your pollinators hydrated and healthy.
Just dont let the water stagnate, or you could become overrun with mosquitoes.
However, native species often grow in poor soils, and theyre adapted to your region’s conditions.
Its best to avoid fertilizers as they arent typically needed.
They can also encourage weed growth, which can choke out your pollinator-friendly species selection.
Fortunately, hardy native plant species are often unbothered by pests and encouraging untamed spots can attract more wildlife.
If weeds start to take over, stick with hand pulling up by the roots.
Avoid Raking in the Winter
Its worth leaving leaf litter in your pollinator garden during the winter.
Lay out your pollinator garden in dense clumps.
Mass plant a mix of sizes, heights, and species with different bloom times.
Select anatural mulchwithout any harmful chemicals or dyes.
