Thankfully, we are starting to hear the message, more and more, that pollinators play an irreplaceable role in maintaining our environment and sustaining our food supply. Learning how to protect pollinators is paramount. They are the unsung heroes behind countless plants bearing fruit and seeds, ensuring harmony in our delicate ecosystem. Unfortunately, these essential creatures face an array of threats, from habitat loss to pesticide exposure and climate change. 

OK, so what can we do about it? Property owners in Minnesota hold a unique opportunity to make a difference by learning how to protect pollinators through restoration. By creating pollinator-friendly habitats, you can play a pivotal role in supporting these vital insects.

There’s a simple yet highly effective way to support our pollinator friends – restore your property with native plants. These native beauties have co-evolved with local pollinator populations and provide them with natural and nourishing food sources. Moreover, native plants are perfectly adapted to local soil and weather conditions, making them more resilient and easier to care for compared to non-native alternatives.

To ensure your restoration efforts have the maximum impact on our local pollinators, it’s crucial to approach the task thoughtfully. That’s why we’ve put together a brief list of essential factors to consider during your restoration journey. By adhering to these guidelines, you can learn how to protect pollinators by creating a thriving, biodiverse environment right in your own backyard.

Include a Variety of Bloom Times 

One of the most effective ways to support pollinators is by planting a diversity of native species that have different bloom times during the growing season. By providing a continuous source of nectar and pollen, your natural area can help sustain pollinator populations throughout their life cycles. This is especially crucial during fall and early spring when many flowers are not in bloom. This approach not only benefits pollinators but also creates a stunning and sustainable landscape that improves the ecological health of your property.

Provide Habitat, Nesting Areas, and Host Plants

Providing suitable nesting sites is crucial to support pollinator populations. Pollinators need safe places to rest and reproduce, and by offering nesting resources, you can make a significant impact. Bumblebees and solitary bees typically nest in the ground or cavities, and even in hollow plant stems. Leaving small patches of bare ground and small piles of twigs and leaves provides habitat. 

When planning your natural area, consider specific “host plants” that certain pollinators will use to complete their life cycles. For instance, milkweed for monarchs, golden alexander for black swallowtail, and turtlehead for Baltimore checkerspot. These pollinators lay eggs, eat, and live on these specific plants. Hummingbirds prefer sheltered areas with access to nectar-rich tubular flowers such as cardinal flower, columbine, and spotted horsemint. 

Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides pose a serious threat to pollinators, as they can be toxic and even fatal, while also destroying their habitat and food sources. To protect pollinators on your property, avoiding pesticides should be a top priority. Our Minnesota native plant species are already resistant to pests and support beneficial insects that help naturally control pest populations. Also, it is important to choose native plant species that have been grown without the use of systemic pesticides, which can remain in the plant for years and harm insects. 

If you must use pesticides, choose products that target specific pests and apply them during times when pollinators are less active, such as early morning or late evening. Always read and carefully follow the label instructions to ensure that you are using the product safely and effectively. By minimizing the use of pesticides and prioritizing the protection of pollinators, you can help create a healthy and thriving ecosystem on your property.

Improve Water Access

It’s easy to forget that pollinators need water, especially during hot and dry weather. You can provide a water source for them by putting out a shallow dish or birdbath. When creating a water source for pollinators, it’s important to keep in mind that the placement of the water source can impact its usefulness. A shaded area can help prevent the water from drying out too quickly. Adding vegetation can provide shelter for pollinators while they take a drink. Remember to keep the water clean by changing it frequently to avoid the growth of harmful bacteria.

Increase Diversity and Embrace Imperfection

Native plant restorations can be a bit “wild” compared to traditional perennial gardens, and this is OK. There is a massive upside in ecological value, and it is well worth the potential decrease in uniformity and continuity. Typically, natural areas with a high native plant diversity tend to, well, look natural. But this means that you are providing high quality food and habitat for our pollinators, and you should be commended!

We’re in this Together!

It really helps to share your knowledge with others. If you are interested in sharing how your restoration protects pollinators, post photos of pollinators in your restoration on social media, invite people to visit and observe, or collect seeds and share them with interested neighbors. Every bit helps. Collectively, these small steps can help us all move away from traditional landscaping practices and create quality pollinator habitat.

Resources 

If you’re interested in starting your native plant restoration but unsure of where to begin, look no further – contact us today! We offer design, installation, and maintenance services. We also offer Minnesota native shore, wetland, prairie, and woodland species to create your own special natural area. Of course, we grow all of our plants without pesticides.

For more information on how to protect pollinators, check out: 

Planting for Pollinators Habitat Guide

Creating Pollinator Habitat with Students

How to Create a Monarch Waystation