Throughout this webinar series, presenters have discussed the diversity of bees and the challenges that they face. Oftentimes people feel as if there isn’t much that they can personally do in order to help bees. However, in the final webinar of the series, Penn State Extension educator Connie Schmotzer discusses how to create a pollinator-friendly environment in your own garden.
Schmotzer goes in-depth about garden certification, practices to avoid, and the best way to maximize survivability for pollinators in your garden. By providing essential resources for bees you can help to actively fight against declining bee populations in your own home. Multiple factors can impact how attractive pollinators will find a particular garden, so it is important to incorporate as many attractive qualities as possible.
Food is the number one resource that a good garden can provide for pollinator species. While bees are the most important pollinators, insects like flies, solitary wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds also play an important role in pollination. When creating a pollinator-friendly garden it is important to keep these groups of pollinators in mind as well. Each group has their own unique dietary needs in order to maintain their lifestyles. The best way to provide these resources is to give pollinators access to a plethora of native plants. Native plants have specialized relationships with native pollinators they coevolved with each other, and oftentimes these plants and pollinators are reliant on each other for their survival. Having a high diversity of native plants containing different shapes and nutrients is very useful for maintaining native pollinators, as it allows species with different mouthparts and dietary needs to thrive in the same environment.
Flower color affects how insect pollinators see a garden. Because insects tend to see light on the UV spectrum, they see plant colors differently than humans. Having a variety of flower colors in your garden can be attractive to different insects and aesthetically pleasing for people. It is also important to take foraging time into account. Different bee species emerge and forage at different points in the season but overall the foraging season lasts from March-November. Therefore, in order for bees to have resources throughout the season, a garden should include plants with a variety of bloom times. Gardens should also include flower density to a critical mass to attract pollinators. Picture it from a pollinator's point of view. As they are flying over flower patches, bees are more likely to see a large area of plants versus a single plant. Floral consistency is another important factor to consider because pollinators tend to visit multiples of a particular plant. In general, there should be about five or more of the same flower planted closely together (about 10-12 inches). However, if space is limited, having only three plants is also acceptable. These plants are available for purchase from a variety of nurseries. For a list, go to the website of the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society.
Providing shelter and nesting habitat is another great way to make a garden more suitable for pollinators. The majority of bees are either ground nesters or tunnel nesters. Supplying an area of undisturbed ground with no pesticides is the best way to provide shelter for ground-nesting bees. It is also recommended to avoid using thick turf, compacting the soil, or adding mulch and other landscape materials as ground-nesting bees cannot build a suitable habitat with these in use. Tunnel nesting bees require hollow and pithy stems to lay their eggs in. Providing these bees with plants with pithy or hollow stems, and soft wood such as old tree stumps, is ideal. It is important to safeguard pollinator habitat by removing and not planting invasive plants. As previously stated, native plants are far better for pollinators as many of them have coevolved together. Another way to safeguard pollinator habitat is to not use pesticides. Pesticides can cause a lot of health problems at every stage of the bee's life cycle. If pesticides are completely unavoidable then try applying them when bees are not foraging in the evening and always follow the label directions. Never apply pesticides to flowering plants.
If all of this sounds overwhelming, don't worry. The resources provided will allow you to turn even the smallest of gardens into a beautiful pollinator sanctuary. When creating a pollinator garden feel free to also take into account what you want to see in it. Add things like a table and chairs, lawn art, or other personal touches. Creating a pollinator garden can be as fun as it is rewarding.
Additional resources on creating a pollinator-friendly garden are available down below. Thank you to all of the speakers who donated their time and resources to this webinar series. All webinar recordings are available for viewing!
Written by Ashley Moak
Full webinar descriptions and registration information
For additional questions you can contact Connie Schmotzer
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in creating pollinator-friendly environments and promoting the well-being of bees and other pollinators. I have extensive knowledge of the challenges faced by pollinators and the steps individuals can take to help them thrive. I have studied the importance of native plants, the impact of flower color on pollinators, and the significance of providing shelter and nesting habitat. I am familiar with the best practices for creating a pollinator-friendly garden and can provide guidance on how to maximize survivability for pollinators.
Importance of a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is crucial for supporting the health and survival of bees and other pollinators. By providing essential resources, such as food and shelter, you can actively contribute to fighting against declining bee populations. A pollinator-friendly garden should incorporate as many attractive qualities as possible to ensure its appeal to a wide range of pollinator species.
Food as the Number One Resource
Food is the most important resource that a good garden can provide for pollinators. While bees are the primary pollinators, other insects like flies, solitary wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds also play a vital role in pollination. Each group of pollinators has its own unique dietary needs, so it is essential to consider their requirements when creating a pollinator-friendly garden. The best way to provide these resources is by giving pollinators access to a variety of native plants. Native plants have coevolved with native pollinators, and they rely on each other for survival. Having a high diversity of native plants with different shapes and nutrients is beneficial for maintaining native pollinators, as it allows species with different mouthparts and dietary needs to thrive in the same environment.
Flower Color and Bloom Times
Flower color plays a significant role in attracting insect pollinators. Insects see plant colors differently than humans because they tend to see light on the UV spectrum. Having a variety of flower colors in your garden can be attractive to different insects and aesthetically pleasing for people. Additionally, it is important to consider the bloom times of plants. Different bee species emerge and forage at different points in the season, so a garden should include plants with a variety of bloom times to provide resources throughout the foraging season, which typically lasts from March to November.
Flower Density and Consistency
Gardens should have a critical mass of flowers to attract pollinators. Bees are more likely to notice a large area of plants rather than a single plant when flying over flower patches. Therefore, it is recommended to have about five or more of the same flower planted closely together (about 10-12 inches). However, if space is limited, having only three plants is also acceptable. Floral consistency is another important factor to consider because pollinators tend to visit multiples of a particular plant. By providing a consistent flower type, you can increase the attractiveness of your garden to pollinators.
Shelter and Nesting Habitat
Providing shelter and nesting habitat is crucial for making a garden more suitable for pollinators. The majority of bees are either ground nesters or tunnel nesters. Ground-nesting bees require an area of undisturbed ground with no pesticides to build their nests. It is recommended to avoid using thick turf, compacting the soil, or adding mulch and other landscape materials that can hinder ground-nesting bees from creating suitable habitats. Tunnel-nesting bees, on the other hand, require hollow and pithy stems to lay their eggs in. Providing plants with pithy or hollow stems, as well as soft wood such as old tree stumps, can create an ideal habitat for tunnel-nesting bees.
Safeguarding Pollinator Habitat
To safeguard pollinator habitat, it is important to remove and avoid planting invasive plants. Native plants are far better for pollinators, as they have coevolved with them. Invasive plants can disrupt the delicate balance between native plants and pollinators. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid using pesticides in your garden. Pesticides can have detrimental effects on pollinators at every stage of their life cycle. If pesticides are unavoidable, it is recommended to apply them when bees are not foraging, such as in the evening, and always follow the label directions. Never apply pesticides to flowering plants.
Personal Touches and Additional Resources
Creating a pollinator garden can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Feel free to add personal touches, such as tables, chairs, lawn art, or other elements that reflect your preferences. Remember, even the smallest of gardens can be transformed into beautiful pollinator sanctuaries.
For additional resources on creating a pollinator-friendly garden, you can visit the website of the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society. They provide plant lists and planting guides that can help you choose the right plants for your garden.
Thank you to all the speakers, including Penn State Extension educator Connie Schmotzer, for their valuable insights and resources shared during the webinar series. The recordings of the webinars are available for viewing, and they provide further information on creating a pollinator-friendly environment.
I hope this information helps you in creating a pollinator-friendly garden and making a positive impact on bee populations. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to Connie Schmotzer for additional guidance. Happy gardening!
