Whether you’re looking to start a pollinator habitat for your own pleasure or to complete a pollinator habitat certification, we have everything you need.
As Pollinator Week comes to an end, we want to encourage our Art family to consider starting their own pollinator garden. Each pollinator garden creates a potential safe space for our pollinating friends! From bees and butterflies to birds and bats, there are a plethora of creatures that each play a significant role in our ecosystems. Accordingly to pollinator.org, “Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce.” If that doesn’t motivate you to create a safe space for them, your desire for a gorgeous landscape full of wonderful buzzing critters will.
The first step to creating your own pollinator garden is to learn about host plants and nectar plants. The purpose of nectar plants is to attract our pollinators by inviting them to stop and eat, and the host plants encourage them to stay a while. Specifically, butterflies are attracted to host plants which results in males and females mating. The work required to find their partners and host plants is exhausting and requires lots of energy. This is where nectar-rich flowers supply a plethora of nutrients! When your garden provides both, you will find a plethora of our wonderful pollinators!
The next step is to learn the different host and nectar plants. Start with milkweed - you’ve gotta have it! Check out this link for a comprehensive list of pollinating plants and example garden ideas.
Once you’ve completed step one and two, you’re ready to head down to our garden center and begin your own pollinator garden. Our skilled and knowledgeable staff can answer all your questions and direct you to the perfect plants!
If you decide to complete the Pollinator Habitat Certification check out this link. It should have all the info and resources you need!
Contact us with any questions!