Pollinator Paradise: 6 Ideas for Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden to Support Local Wildlife

Your garden is a beautiful place for humans to enjoy, but with a few extra steps, you can make it a pollinator paradise. Pollinators, especially bees, are incredibly crucial to our ecosystem. Bee populations are declining at an alarming rate, however, home gardeners can help! Here are six simple ways to create a bee-friendly garden that’s earth-friendly and lovely to look at.

Understanding the Importance of Bees

Bees may be tiny, but they’re incredibly important little bugs. They’re responsible for pollinating over 90% of the flowers and crops that produce our food. Without bees, most of our essential food crops would die off, leaving humans with little to eat. 

Today, bees face many challenges, including urbanization as well as the use of pesticides. As humans continue to create more living space, bees also quickly lose their natural environments to live and reproduce. At the same time, many farmers are using harmful pesticides on their plants, making it difficult for bees to navigate and reproduce.

Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden

Luckily, you can do some simple things to create a bee-friendly garden that encourages pollination. This includes:

1. Plant a Variety of Flowers

Bees are attracted to a wide variety of native flowers and plants. Incorporate many different wildflowers, annuals, and perennials native to your area. Pick flowers that bees love, including lavender, sunflowers, and coneflowers. The colorful, attractive blooms will also look beautiful in your garden, and the bees will be happy to pollinate on your property.

2. Provide a Water Source

Bees also need access to clean water to survive. Consider adding a shallow birdbath with pebbles as a place for them to cool off and hydrate. Make sure the water is clean and fresh by regularly cleaning the area and refilling it as necessary.

3. Avoid Pesticides

Never use pesticides in your garden as these harmful chemicals act as a poison to bees. Many pesticides affect their ability to navigate, and can often leave them without the ability to reproduce. When this happens, entire hives can die off, contributing to the decline in bee populations across the globe.

Instead, try companion planting, and keep your bee-friendly garden healthy by weeding and watering frequently.

4. Create Bee Habitats

Build bees a shelter and they will come! Consider installing bee houses near your garden or leaving dead wood and plant stems nearby. These undisturbed areas also allow ground-nesting bees a place to create a habitat that’s close to your garden space. By inviting them onto your property, you can ensure that bees will congregate and pollinate in your garden.

5. Plant Herbs and Vegetables

Bees aren’t just attracted to flowers, they love vegetables and herbs as well. Plant watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumbers, which must be pollinated to produce food. Herbs like basil, thyme, and chives are also bee-friendly plants. Mint and lemon balm are also great options that make your garden smell delicious.

6. Plan for Continuous Bloom

Depending on your climate, it’s best to plant flowers that bloom throughout the year. Pick flowers that have staggered bloom times, so bees have plenty of flowers to pollinate year-round. There are many different spring flowers to pick, including flowering dogwood, winterberry, and American Holly. As summer approaches, phlox, coneflower, and black-eyed Susans begin to bloom. In the fall, cardinal flowers and goldenrods also show off their beautiful blooms, creating a year-round feast for bees.

Pro Tips for a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden

To start a bee-friendly garden like a pro, avoid hybrid plants as they simply produce less nectar for bees. It’s also wise to create a shelter for your plants that keeps them safe from wind and harsh weather conditions. Pro gardeners also know what invasive plants are common in their areas, and they remove them as soon as they pop up.

Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden in Your Backyard

Planting a bee-friendly garden is a rewarding job that benefits humans and bees. By planting pollinator-friendly native flowers that bloom year-round and creating habitats for bees on your property, you’re sure to have an influx of bees in your garden.

If you’d like to learn more about creating a pollinator-friendly property, contact us or visit our Columbia and Ellicott City Garden Centers.