As bee populations face increasing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, gardeners have a unique opportunity to become part of the solution. A pollinator-friendly garden not only supports bees but also butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. These creatures play a vital role in our food systems and ecosystems. Here’s how you can turn your yard, balcony, or community space into a thriving haven for pollinators.
1. Plant a Diverse Range of Flowers
Bees are most attracted to gardens that offer a wide variety of plants, especially native species. Aim to plant a range of flower types, colors, and bloom times so that something is always in bloom from early spring to late fall.
Best practices:
- Include a mix of annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, and trees.
- Choose plants with single blooms over double blooms—single blooms offer more nectar and are easier for bees to access.
- Group the same plant species together in clusters to help pollinators forage efficiently.
Pollinator favorites:
- Lavender, bee balm, echinacea, black-eyed Susan, milkweed, salvia, goldenrod, borage, and thyme.
2. Prioritize Native Plants
Native plants are adapted to local conditions and have co-evolved with native pollinators. They typically require less water and maintenance and are more resilient to pests and diseases.
Tip: Consult your local extension office or native plant society for a list of the best pollinator-friendly native plants for your area.
3. Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides
Chemical pesticides and herbicides are among the leading threats to bee populations. Even “bee-safe” pesticides can have sub-lethal effects that impact navigation, reproduction, and immunity.
Alternatives:
- Use integrated pest management (IPM) techniques.
- Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings.
- Hand-pick pests when possible, or use organic solutions like neem oil cautiously—and only in the evening when pollinators are less active.
4. Provide Water Sources
Bees and other pollinators need clean water for hydration and hive cooling. A shallow dish with pebbles or floating corks gives them a place to land while they drink.
Important: Change the water frequently to prevent mosquitoes.
5. Offer Shelter and Nesting Sites
Pollinators need places to live, rest, and raise their young. Many native bees are solitary and nest in the ground or in hollow stems.
Tips for nesting:
- Leave a small bare patch of soil for ground-nesting bees.
- Avoid using mulch everywhere.
- Add bee hotels or leave some dead wood and plant stalks intact over winter for nesting.
6. Create a Pesticide-Free Zone Around Hives and Nesting Areas
If you’re managing a beehive or encouraging wild pollinators, avoid chemical use in a 30-foot radius of known nesting sites. Even indirect exposure can harm bees.
7. Educate and Inspire Others
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is a great step—but the impact multiplies when your neighbors join in. Share seeds, swap plants, and invite others to garden tours or workshops.