The buzz about pollinators
Spring is here and maybe, just maybe, warmer weather and rain, too! Through the month of May, the Chief will be bringing you ways to celebrate spring and bring green and other bright colors of growing things to your gardens and lawns. We hope you enjoy “W
CUSTER COUNTY - Although April was dry and windy, the rain in May is finally starting to make it feel like spring. The first of May is the perfect time to get started planting flowers, watering lawns and plotting a garden. This year, consider dedicating a section of lawn or garden to helping our pollinator species.
The most common type of pollinator is the honeybee but there are many other bees, butterflies, moths and insects that help pollinate plants. Pollination is key in the fertilization and reproduction of plants. Not only is it important for flowers, but apples, tomatoes and even alfalfa rely on pollinators to reproduce. According to www. pollinatorplot.unl.edu/ pollinators one of every three bites of food we eat is reliant on a pollinator.
How can we help? Pollinators rely on nectar from flowers as a food source. They need different food sources throughout the different stages of their life, from larvae to adults, as well as shelter and habitats. Recent increases in monoculture lawns and single-crop farming has reduced the available flowers and habitat. Whether you have five acres or a windowsill pot, you can plant flowers that are beneficial to pollinators.
The first step in planting a pollinator garden is to decide which kind of pollinators you want to attract. The different structures of flowers will attract different pollinators. “Flowers that are blue are most attractive to honeybees, while flowers that are wide and flat are best for butterflies,” Elizabeth Exstrom, Extension Educator with Nebraska Extension explained.
Secondly, think about the timing of the flowering of each plant. “Pollinators need food throughout the year, so consider a variety of plants that will bloom at different times,” Exstrom said. “Although most people consider Dandelions a weed, they’re a great source of food for pollinators coming out of hibernation in the early spring.”
Lastly, consider the arrangement
of the flowers. Large displays are more easily seen than small groups that are spread out. Try to put them in a place that gets plenty of sun, but has protection from the wind.
Planting flowers can be relaxing and rewarding. A yard full of color can brighten anyone’s day, but there are more benefits to flowers than aesthetic appeal. Visit your local garden center to find out how you can start your pollinator garden today.