Put Pollinators First: A Guide for Young Gardeners
What are Pollinators?
Pollinators are insects and animals that help plants make seeds. They do this by carrying pollen from one flower to another. Without pollinators, many of our favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers would not exist!
Why are Pollinators Important?
Pollinators are essential for our ecosystem. They help to:
- Produce food for humans and animals
- Support biodiversity
- Keep our planet healthy
What’s Happening to Pollinators?
Unfortunately, pollinators are in decline. This is due to a number of factors, including:
- Habitat loss
- Pesticide use
- Climate change
What Can We Do to Help Pollinators?
There are many things we can do to help pollinators, including:
- Planting pollinator-friendly flowers
- Avoiding the use of pesticides
- Creating habitats for pollinators
- Reducing our carbon footprint
How to Make a Pollinator Garden
One of the best ways to help pollinators is to create a pollinator garden. This is a garden that is designed to attract and support pollinators. Here are some tips for creating a pollinator garden:
- Choose flowers that bloom at different times of the year. This will provide a continuous food source for pollinators.
- Plant flowers in blocks or groups. This will make it easier for pollinators to find them.
- Include a variety of flower shapes and colors. This will attract a wider range of pollinators.
- Avoid using pesticides. Pesticides can harm pollinators.
- Provide water and shelter for pollinators. This will help them to stay healthy and thrive.
Other Ways to Help Pollinators
In addition to creating a pollinator garden, there are other things you can do to help pollinators, such as:
- Leave fallen fruit on the ground. This provides food for butterflies and other pollinators.
- Take cuttings of bee-friendly plants and give them to friends and neighbors. This will help to spread pollinator-friendly plants across your community.
- Look after urban pollinators. Plant flowers in pots and window boxes to provide food and shelter for pollinators in urban areas.
- Nurture a nettle patch. Nettles are a food source for butterfly larvae.
- Support moths. Plant night-blooming flowers to attract moths.
- Join Plantlife’s No Mow May challenge. This challenge encourages people to leave their lawns unmown during the month of May to provide food for pollinators.
- Add blocks of pollinator-friendly flowers to your garden. This will provide a concentrated source of food for pollinators.
- Leave dandelions to flower. Dandelions are a valuable food source for bees in the spring.
- Plant lungwort. Lungwort is a flower that attracts hairy-footed flower bees.
- Create a herb garden. Herbs are a great source of food for pollinators.
- Sow Pollinator Mix meadow seeds. These seeds will create a beautiful and pollinator-friendly meadow in your garden.
- Create habitats for butterflies, moths, and caterpillars. This will provide a place for pollinators to lay their eggs and raise their young.
- Make a cornfield nectar bar. This is a simple way to provide food for pollinators in the summer.
By taking these simple steps, we can all help to protect pollinators and ensure that they continue to play their vital role in our ecosystem.
