World Bee Day: 5 Ways to Support Pollinators
Inspired by our new Wildflower collection and World Bee Day last week, here are 5 ways our founder Anne helps support pollinators in her country garden. If you aren't a gardener or if this all seems overwheling, you can also support pollinators by donating to an organization like Pollinator Partnership. Pollinators are what keep us fed, whether we garden or not!
1. No-mow May (or delaying mowing your lawn)
By refraining from mowing our lawns or pushing it off as long as we can, we create a welcoming haven for pollinators and contribute to the preservation of their habitats. Allowing the grass to grow naturally and wildflowers to bloom provides valuable sources of food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other vital pollinators. The untouched patches of vegetation offer a diverse range of nectar-rich flowers, enabling pollinators to gather the sustenance they need for survival and the pollination of plants.
2. Plant things that provide early pollen and nectar.
In our case we focus on letting our dandelions, myosotis and other wildflowers grow freely in spring without mowing, but also add deer-resistant daffodils, lilacs and other spring flowers.
3. Plant flowers, especially ones native to your area!
Native plants are the best support for native pollinators. For our zone 4 garden in Northeastern North America, that means echinacea, milkweed (vital to supporting monarch butterflies), goldenrod, Monarda and Joe Pye weed among many others.
4. Try to avoid planting extremely invasive plants
When you can't or don't want to plant native species, try to avoid the very invasive or damaging plants that can push out native species. Sadly there are many of these available in nurseries or in wildflower mixes! Butterfly Bush (buddleia), vinca, oxeye daisies, japanese barberry, english ivy, japanese honeysuckle and japanese knotweed are some of the hardest to control.
5. Consider crops other than grass for lawns.
Choosing to plant alternatives to traditional grass lawns is gaining in popularity. Opting for diverse ground cover options such as clover, sedum, creeping thyme or wildflowers can be lower maintenance and beneficial to both pollinators and homeowners. Even small areas of lawn turned over to other crops can be a lovely way to help pollinators.
You can also support pollinators by donating to an organization like Pollinator Partnership.
Haven't checked out our Wildflower collection yet? It's the latest way we are celebrating the special world of flowers, inspired by my country garden. Let me know what you think!
xox,
Anne + the Dot & Lil team
