Bee kind to pollinators!
At Jolly Lane Greenhouse, we already know the importance pollinators play, but we wanted to share this information as gardening season approaches. According the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, pollinators are essential for the health and reproductive success of over 75% of the world’s flowering plants. They are crucial to production of fruits, and over 150 food crops in the United States depend on them! The sad news is that pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, introduction and spread of invasive plant species, overuse of pesticides and disease. The Executive Branch of the United States Government even released a Pollinator Health Strategy to try and stabilize pollinator populations in the United States, but in order for this plan to succeed, they need our help!
Who are the Pollinators?
There are many different pollinators, some you may know and some you may not! While we are all familiar with bees doing their share of pollination efforts, did you know that other insects like wasps and butterflies are also contributing? Even some species of birds and bats take on some of the work.
How can you make your garden pollinator friendly?
Having a good relationship with pollinators plays a huge factor in the success of your garden. Here are some things you can do to provide a welcoming environment:
- Plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times from spring to fall, and even different times of the day. You can plant some night-bloomers, for nocturnal pollinators like bats and moths.
- Learn more about pollinators native to your area, and try adjusting your garden to compliment those particular species and help make a safe habitat
- Avoid using pesticides if possible, take measures to get the least-toxic kinds if you do use them, and apply at night when most pollinators are not active.
- Make sure you have plenty of native plants. This helps make it easier for you to garden too since native plants are already adapted to the climate and soil of the region.
You can take some easy steps to ensure that your pollinators have a safe habitat in your garden.
Help aid in creating nesting sites for bees by allowing some dead limbs to remain on your trees, or make a condo for bees by drilling different diameter holes into wood and attaching it to a post. You can also help support the larvae of these insects by having plants to support their caterpillars. They will most likely eat the leaves of this plant, so just make sure it isn’t in a very noticeable spot. These will attract that species, and it is fun to watch the stages of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly!
So, what exactly is pollination?
Good question! Many of these insects and birds are drawn to plants to eat nectar. While they are on the flower, some of the pollen can stick to their legs and bodies. When they move to the next plant or flower, they can deposit some of the pollen from the first plant, and pick up some new pollen! Without going into too much detail, this is how the plants get fertilized and produce things like fruits! So pollinators are pretty important to gardening and even farming! So the next time you see a bee and are tempted to treat it like a pest, remember the important role they play in your garden!
For more tips and tricks on keeping a healthy garden, visit with our knowledgeable staff at Jolly Lane Greenhouse! We have a variety of plants and flowers as well as butterfly houses, bat houses, and more to help you create a pollinator friendly garden!