How to Plant and Create a Habitat for Pollinators
Let’s talk about the birds, bees, and butterflies—and how to help them out with your garden
Our winged pollinator friends carry a lot of weight when it comes to the environment. With climate change, dwindling habitats, and the ever-present use of chemical pesticides, they need all the help they can get. It might not seem like much, but building your own pollinator garden can make a big difference for these crucial creatures. Here’s how to turn your garden into a pollinator conservation haven.
1. Choose the Right Spot for Your Pollinator Garden
As with any garden, the importance of location simply can’t be overstated. Butterflies and other pollinators love to bask in the sunshine, and many of their favorite flowers thrive in full sun. Choose the sunniest spot available to make your garden a favored hangout for these critters. If you’re planting pollinator-friendly trees, be sure to plant these far enough away where their shade won’t block your plants.
2. Assess Your Soil Type
Along with the amount of sunlight, soil type is one of the most important factors to consider when planning out your pollinator garden. It’s a good idea to have a local soil testing service assess your soil type, including:
Composition (clay soils vs. sandy soils)
Soil pH levels
Natural nutrient availability
Once you have more information, it’s best to work with what you’ve got rather than trying to supplement with chemical fertilizers. Use organic compounds like mulch and compost to naturally enrich the soil.
3. Prepare the Earth Before Planting
It's essential to prepare the earth before you get your plants in the ground. Pull up any weeds and stray plants by the roots (especially invasive species). Then, till the soil and add a layer of mulch or organic compost for a nutrient-rich base.
4. Attract Native Pollinators With Native Plants
Planting what’s native to your region will naturally attract native bees and local pollinators to your garden. They’ll also be easier to grow since they’re naturally adapted to your area’s climate and conditions. Look for organic seeds and organically-grown native plants from your local nursery. To learn more about which plants are native to your area, contact your state university’s extension office for fact sheets on local plant life.
5. Add Water Sources to Pollinator Habitats
Pollinators need water, and not having enough can hurt them—especially during a drought. Add some type of water feature to your pollinator garden, such as a fountain or a birdbath. As a bonus, these make beautiful decorative elements amongst your plants and flowers.
6. Plant in Clusters
Pollinators love a densely-packed habitat that’s filled with their favorite fragrant, delicious plants. Rather than spacing out what you plant, group everything in clusters to create the perfect pollinator hangout spot. Be sure to account for the plant’s full size and follow spacing recommendations on seed packets.
7. Plant Garden Herbs to Feed Local Pollinators
Fresh herbs don’t just take your sauces and soups to the next level. They’re pollinator-friendly plants and can make a delicious snack or host for breeding. Plus, if you’re growing vegetables, pollinators help your garden. Keep in mind that most mint plants (excluding hyssop) will grow like crazy and are best left in containers.
8. Plant Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars
According to the National Wildlife Federation, the monarch butterfly population has declined by about 90% since the 1990s. These beautiful (and extremely important) pollinators are losing their habitats fast. They’re also having to migrate farther distances during the colder winter months.
Planting milkweed is the single best thing you can do to help these striped-and-spotted creatures. Monarch caterpillars exclusively munch on milkweed, and it’s the favored plant for adults to lay their eggs. Once they grow their brilliant orange wings, monarch butterflies feed on milkweed and several other blossoms. Many local wildlife organizations will send native milkweed seeds for free, so it’s a low-cost—and highly worthwhile—addition to any pollinator garden.
9. Don’t Use Chemicals to Deter Insects and Pests
If hungry deer and other pests won’t stop munching in your garden, do anything but resort to chemical deterrents and pesticides. These can harm and even kill pollinators. Consider using fences to keep out those furry dine-and-dashers. For slugs and snails, use crushed eggshells to cover the soil.
10. Get Creative and Grow Your Own Pollinator Paradise
The easiest way to keep up with maintenance is to design a garden you truly love. Include the bright, fragrant, and delicious plants that pollinators relish, but create an aesthetic that makes you excited to hit don your gardening hat and hit the dirt. Once it’s turned into a blossoming garden buzzing with happy pollinators, you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of all your hard work.