Pollinator Week occurs every year this time. You can find out more about the initiative at the website, pollinator.org.
It was designed to draw attention to our dwindling pollinators like the monarchs, originally. But then bats became affected by white nose syndrome and it became clear that honeybees were in trouble, and our native bees were becoming more scarce and so Pollinator Week has really expanded to include all sorts of pollinators and to bring awareness to ways of gardening and backyard living that can help them.
Another cool thing that Pollinator Week does is draw attention to all the other different types of pollinators besides the ones mentioned above. Birds, flies, beetles, my beloved ants and insects–all of those can be pollinators and some of these can be endangered as well.
So how can you help? First, check out the website. It will have resources for your part of North America (sorry if you aren’t in North America–perhaps you recognize some of the plants mentioned for a similar latitude?)
Next, even if you can’t add any plants to your garden, practice responsible pesticide use in the garden you have. We use no pesticides–& a pesticide is defined as a fungicide, a herbicide or an insecticide–on our property. We don’t even use algacides in our pond.
But if you do, please use them responsibility. Read and follow the label directions. If you are spot treating something, try to do it at a time when no or few pollinators are present–dusk is often a good time. And that is usually better for the plants (& the gardener) as well since it is cooler and causes less stress.
Finally if you are adding plants, consider natives. It is a proven fact that they feed all wildlife in all stages of their lives more often than ornamentals. But don’t feel that you must go crazy. I will show you why ( I hope) on Friday.
Gardendaze 