Spring is here, and what does it tend to bring with it? Pollinators! (On top of allergies for those of us allergic to all the pollen!) We will begin to see more and more pollinators out and about in the coming weeks. There has been lots of ‘buzz’ in recent years about protecting our pollinators… but what does that mean? What can you do from your own home?
Why is pollination so important, anyway? Pollination is an essential part of our ecosystem that is carried out by pollinators. Crop diversity, biodiversity, and the economy can all be traced back to our pollinators in some way. According to a study that the University of Georgia did in 2014, pollination had an annual value of over $360 million (and it has likely increased significantly since then!). Without pollinators, most of our seed production would likely fail. From what I have seen, bees tend to get all the credit when it comes to pollination. Don’t get me wrong, bees are outstanding pollinators, but did you know that they are not the only ones? Bees tend to get the spotlight, but hummingbirds, butterflies, wasps, ants, and even flies and mosquitos all act as pollinators. Anything that moves from the flower of one plant to another can act as a pollinator and be beneficial. It has been shown that pollinator populations are decreasing. There are steps that we can take as individuals to help them build back their numbers and hopefully to encourage the increase in their biodiversity once again. It is essential to not only crop production, but wild plant species as well!
One way to support our pollinators is to make an environment welcoming and attractive to them. There has been a rise in the last several years of clean landscape/turfed homes, and there is nothing wrong with that! However, if there are no flowers of any kind, the pollinators cannot sustain that area and you likely will not see as many around, if any at all. So, think about a pollinator area, or when selecting landscape plants, pick plant types that are attractive to pollinators. Research has shown that flower color has an impact on how attracted a pollinator is to a certain plant, and they are often able to see Ultraviolet (UV) rays, that we as people cannot, that are emitted from brightly colored flowers. Research from UGA showed that bumblebees preferred purple flowers, but any brightly colored flower is sure to bring in bees and butterflies as pollinators! Flower shapes also play a role. If you have plants with many small flowers instead of one single flower, they are assumed to be more attractive from a distance since they can be easily seen, but it all depends on the pollinator. The same can be said for plant height.
“A garden that is both beautiful and able to attract and sustain beneficial insects, thereby reducing the need for pesticides, will be pollinator friendly and ecologically sustainable. Increasing the use of perennial, annual, and native plant species that attract pollinators, beneficials, and plant-eating insects can help you to naturally control pests in your landscape and increase biodiversity.” – The Eco-Friendly Garden: Attracting Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Other Natural Predators, University of Georgia Extension. Reach out to me at mckenzie.wheeler@uga.edu for a list of top plant species for attracting pollinators!
According to UGA research you should “choose plants with sweet, pungent, highly fragrant flowers; red, purple, orange, yellow, or pink flower colors; and simple, open flowers.” If it is possible, go for natives, whether they are annuals or perennials. These plants will adapt to the local environment which leads to lower watering and fertilization needs, leading to a decrease in maintenance costs. Everyone loves butterflies and they tend to be a big component of plant choices. If you want an abundance of butterflies, you must consider the butterflies’ needs. You will have to have not only nectar plants, but larval food plants and a shallow source of water as well. Lots of native grasses make great larval food plants.
Minimizing the use of pesticides, especially in or around a pollinator garden is best, but if you must spray, there are a few things you can do to minimize your impact. Do not spray blooms directly. Often, a pollinator may be resting on the blooms, and you can kill them if the pesticide comes into contact with them. In the same sense, you can spray in the evening hours when pollinators are not as active to lower the risk of contact. Do not spray on windy days when drift is likely. The windier it is, the more likely your pesticide is going to end up where it shouldn’t be and cause a hazard for pollinators. Using granular formulations, soil treatments, or devices that confine spray to the target can help prevent drift as well. Use rapidly degradable pesticides when you can so that it is not staying on the plant/in the soil as long. In a pollinator garden, it may be worth it to explore beneficial insects that may target your pest insects, and how to attract those beneficials!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at mckenzie.wheeler@uga.edu or at 706-629-8685. April 22nd from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm we have a Growing Gordon Seed Saving & Seed Library program. Please contact me for more information on this opportunity!
