Having a garden does not only give beauty in our homes, some of us grow plants for food. Either way, both need pollination for a successful harvest. Pollinators such as bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, and beetles all help pollen travel between plants. So, how can we boost our garden’s productivity through these pollinators?
Here are some tips from Doctors Nova Scotia:
Plant native species
Planting native and heritage varieties of plant and herbs is one way to attract pollinators. . In Nova Scotia, these include bleeding heart, rhododendron, primrose, aster, cone flower, Joe Pye weed, brown-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s lace, yarrow, goldenrod, sedum, pussy willow, lilac, salvia and lupin. In garden stores, you can find them in the perennial section. You can also ask from your gardener neighbors who are always separating, cutting back and moving perennials, and they’re often happy to share.
Spice it up
If you want to have flowers from spring to autumn, try planting a variety of blooming plants that are red, orange, yellow, purple and blue which the pollinators love. If you can and still has the space, try making sheltered wild spots or make your own bee hotel for your pollinators to warm themselves.
Avoid lawn and garden chemicals and pesticides
Even if you do the first two items above, pollinators will not stay if you use chemicals and pesticides in your garden which are very harmful to them. You can try the natural way by attracting beneficial insects like soldier beetles, lacewings, ladybugs and hoverflies that will eat slugs and aphids, including their eggs.
Leave things alone
Instead of rushing to clean up your yard during spring, wait until there have been at least five consecutive days of warm weather, or above 10 degrees Celsius, before tidying up the dead leaves and plants left from winter. Same is through during fall. The dead stalks, leaves and other plant debris overwinter in your garden, giving insects a cozy place to burrow and materials for bird nests. Rake leaves onto your garden beds to provide extra protection.
More to this blog at https://www.yourdoctors.ca/blog/healthy-living/pollinators
Reference: https://www.yourdoctors.ca/
Photo by Piotr Wojnowski: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-yellow-bee-on-white-flower-11246893/
