Every third bite of food we eat is made possible by a pollinator. While honey bees are the most celebrated champions of this natural workforce, they share the landscape with a variety of wild pollinators. Ants, beetles, birds, butterflies, moths and even bats are vital in sustaining our ecosystems.

Roughly 80% of all flowering plants and three-quarters of the global staple crops that feed humanity rely entirely on animal pollinators to reproduce. Unfortunately, honey bees aren’t the only species facing sharp declines in numbers. Building a backyard pollinator garden is a beautiful way to help protect our fuzzy and winged neighbors while supporting the biodiversity of our community.

Understanding Your Ecological Zone

The most important step in planting a successful pollinator garden is before you ever dig into the dirt. It begins with understanding your unique climate and soil conditions.

Experienced growers rely on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the national standard for determining which perennial plants are most likely to thrive in a given location. This interactive guide divides the country into zones based on average annual extreme minimum winter temperatures. Choosing plants best for your hardiness zone ensures they can survive the winter and thrive during the spring and summer.

The Power of Native Gardening

Once you know your hardiness zone, the next step is to choose the right flora. When selecting varieties for your garden, always prioritize plants native to your region. Native plants have spent thousands of years adapting to your specific local climate and soil conditions, forming a perfect biological partnership with local wildlife.

Opting for native wildflowers has several major advantages for both your property and the environment:

• Lower Maintenance: Native plants naturally thrive without chemical fertilizers and require significantly less management.
• Water Conservation: The extremely deep root systems of native plants allow them to require far less water, while dramatically increasing the soil’s capacity to store water.
• Wholesome Habitats: Unlike highly engineered garden-center hybrids – which often look pretty but provide little nutritional value – native flowers produce rich, accessible nectar and pollen to feed and shelter local wildlife.

Designing for Continuous Bloom

To provide reliable, season-long support for the flight force, design your garden so that something is always blooming from early spring through late fall. This continuous food supply ensures that migratory pollinators have energy to travel and that local colonies can successfully build up food stores for the winter.

Cultivating Wholesome Backyards

Caring for our environment starts in our own backyards. At Nate’s Hives our deep commitment to the health of our honey bees is grounded in a respect for natural forage landscapes. By introducing native plants to your home landscaping – whether you manage a large yard or a few potted plants on an apartment balcony – you are making a meaningful investment in the protection of pollinators and our natural heritage.