And remember, supply equals demand: The more you ask for pollinator-safe plants, the more likely stores will start stocking them. Smaller nurseries that specialize in organic gardening will likely be your best bet. And read the fine print: If a plant is marked “protected,” that may mean it’s chemically treated. Buy only plants or seeds that aren't pretreated with pesticides. Shop smart.Ī 2014 report by the nonprofit group Friends of the Earth and several other organizations revealed that 51 percent of plant samples purchased at top garden stores in the United States and Canada contained neonicotinoids. It's not as pie-in-the-sky as it might sound many places have banned spraying that's not related to public-health purposes, especially for private lawns. And see if you can collectively work on town and county ordinances to further reduce their use.

When applied, these poisons make their way throughout the entire plant-including the pollen and nectar.Ĭonsider asking your neighbors to ditch pesticides, too. Not only are they most toxic to bees, butterflies, and other insects, but they're also systemic. The number one threat to pollinators-and the chemicals you should avoid over all others-is neonicotinoid (or neonic) pesticides. It’s amazing how many fans of organic food willingly use the dangerous chemicals they try to avoid in the grocery store on their home gardens. Consider these nocturnal visitors organic pest control. While bats mainly pollinate plants in desert climates (like the agave in the Southwest), they're useful everywhere because they eat insects, including crop pests. Throw in some larval host plants to attract the caterpillars that turn into colorful butterflies, and don’t forget night-blooming flowers for bats. Planting clumps, rather than individual flowers or plants, will also make it easier for pollinators to find you. To please your bees and your butterflies, opt for plants of all shapes and colors that will bloom from early spring to late fall. For more on what is considered native (sage) and what is not (butterfly bush), check out the Xerces Society. A little research into your local climate and soil will reveal which plants work best in your yard. Those modern hybrids you find at plant nurseries, on the other hand, may have pollen, nectar, and even scent bred out of them. Local plants match the needs of nearby pollinators. (Bees need clover!) Instead of wiping a plot clean to make a new garden bed from scratch, leave wild spaces-especially meadows of wildflowers-as they are.

Instead of weeding out natural greenery, let your lawn go.

Lawns and gardens that provide food, nutrition, and shelter for pollinators and other critters can still be gorgeous. “Think about your garden as a habitat for wildlife rather than approaching it as 'I need a nice and tidy manicured lawn,’ ” says Sylvia Fallon, a senior scientist with NRDC's Land and Wildlife program. Stop obsessing over perfectly planted flower beds and weed-free lawns. Make your own yard a pollinator-friendly pit stop with a few simple fixes. But as we work on the larger issues at play, like climate change and widespread pesticide use, pollinators need safe spaces in order to feed and find mates. It's true that no one person can single-handedly restore the monarch butterfly, cure bat-killing fungus, reverse the honeybees’ downward spiral-and save agriculture as we know it.

Diy bee garden