Crafting a Pollinator Paradise Garden to Support Bees and Butterflies

Changing your garden into a place that attracts pollinators is a rewarding experience that makes your yard look nicer and helps important creatures like bees and butterflies. If you pick the right local plants and make a good environment for them you can help keep these important pollinators around which are vital for our ecosystem. Let me show you how to start making a garden that attracts pollinators.

Get to know the environment around you.

Before you start planting you should figure out which plants grow naturally in your region. Plants that grow naturally in your area are suited to the climate and soil there. This helps them thrive and supports the local pollinators. You can get help from groups that focus on native plants or from local extension offices to find the right native species for your area.

Pick the best plants for your needs.

If you want to choose plants for your pollinator garden you should pick a variety of them. Try to choose a variety of plants that have flowers opening at different times during the growing season. This gives bees and butterflies a steady supply of food. Here are a few good options to consider:

Milkweed is a type of plant that belongs to the Asclepias family: It is important for monarch butterflies because it offers food and a place to live.
Coneflowers are a type of plant known as Echinacea: They provide a sweet meal that draws in many pollinators.
Lavender is a type of plant that belongs to the Lavandula family: Bees really like lavender because of its nice smell and it also works well with other plants.
Goldenrods are a type of plant that belongs to the Solidago family: These do well as the season winds down and are important for bees as they prepare for winter.

Create with different levels.

Arranging your garden in different levels makes it look more appealing and helps attract more pollinators. Add a layer of smaller trees or taller bushes such as serviceberry which flowers in the early spring. Next, add some shrubs like New Jersey tea and include a layer of short perennials underneath.

Create safe places for animals to live.

Pollinators can’t survive on nectar alone. They also need a place to stay. Add some natural features to your garden like a few rocks stacked up some fallen branches or a little pile of twigs. Think about putting up a bee hotel to help solitary bees that make their homes in small tunnels.

Stay away from using pesticides.

Pesticides might hurt bees and butterflies. Try using natural ways to deal with pests and promote helpful insects that keep them in check. A way to manage pests in your garden is to pick them off by hand and use barriers. This can help keep your plants healthy without needing any chemicals.

Make sure you have a place to get water.

Pollinators need clean water to survive. You could set up a little water spot like a shallow dish filled with some stones so it's easy for animals to drink or maybe a birdbath that has a soft drip. Make sure to swap out the water often so mosquitoes don't have a place to breed and everything stays clean.

Join in and discover new things.

Become part of a group of gardeners who are dedicated to helping pollinators thrive. A lot of neighborhood organizations and online groups provide help tips and chances to work together. Join activities such as counting pollinators or attending workshops to learn more.

When you make your backyard a great place for pollinators you help different kinds of plants and animals thrive and you also get to feel good about helping important creatures. Your garden can turn into a lively place full of activity where you can find many ways to have fun and explore.