POLLINATOR WEEK

National Pollinator Week Tip#1: Plant a habitat garden and make a lasting impact that's both beautiful and functional for helping these struggling tiny wildlife. Five easy steps will get you on your way:

1. Select plants suitable for your area (see Tip No. 2) and requiring little irrigation--be water-wise and use drip irrigators;

2. Plant in patches of the same plant, as pollinators can more readily find 3 feet by 3 feet patch of blooms;

3. Plant patches that bloom across multiple seasons--even a winter blossoming manazanita with its tiny bell shaped white-pink flowers will bring that wonderful native bumble bee at a critical time for feeding;

4. Have a shallow tray of water, perhaps with a drip irrigator;

5. Avoid all herbicides, insecticides, and other pesticides.

National Pollinator Week Tip #2: Native plants co-evolved with the native wildlife of your region, including bees and otrher native pollinators. Native plants are the heart of your habitat garden for pollinators--providing them with pollen and nectar for food, cover from the elements and predators, and places where their young can grow. The best way to attract beautiful butterflies, busy bees, speedy hummingbirds and other pollinators is to fill your yard with native plants. (a good plant list source is our seasonal list which can be downloaded by clicking here, or through your local California Native Plant society website)

National Pollinator Week Tip #3: Lure more bees to your garden by considering COLOR! Bees love blue, purple, and yellow flowers and plants. Include some in your garden design!

POLLINATOR WEEK 2022: JUNE 20th - 26th alinabeesml

Take the Pollinator Path Pledge, and make a difference during National Pollinator Week:

1. Plant a 3 foot by 3 foot mass of native flowering plants this week! (Or, go all out, and plant four such plots, each one blooming in a different season! Check out our Tip #1 for 5 easy steps)

2. Properly dispose of pesticides, and stop using them in or near your garden

3. Make a monthly recurring donation to Conservation Works ($20 a month as we celebrate 20 years of helping pollinators)!

This week and every week, celebrate these important tiny wildlife that make our fruits and vegetables possible!

Here are just a few of our native pollinators you would be helping:

RustyBurlewbetterimage

Black Tailed Bumble Bee (Image courtesy of Rusty Burlew)