4 Ways to Participate in National Pollinator Week

By Ramon Gonzalez, TreeHugger

Pollinators play an important role in the cycle of our gardens, health, and agricultural ecosystems. According to the Pollinator.org website, about 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of pollinators to move pollen grains from plant to plant for fertilization.

An estimated 1/3 of all foods and beverages consumed are helped by pollinators. That accounts for nearly $20 billion worth of products annually in the United States alone.

The majority of pollinators are beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees, beetles, wasps, and ants. A smaller, but equally important role is played by vertebrates such as birds, bats, and various small mammals.

Today marks the start of National Pollinator Week and there are many ways you can celebrate and encourage pollinators where you live.

1. Start a Garden Today

You don’t need a big, expensive, time-consuming garden to create a habitat for pollinators. Start small and grow what will keep you interested in gardening.

If you want to try growing some of your own food there are garden books I recommend. If this is your first time edible gardening try an herb garden to give your green thumb a test run.

Don’t have land? No problem—grow a mobile garden! You can grow practically anything in containers, even drool-inducing tomatoes.

If finding time to water is an issue, plant your garden in self-watering planters. Make your garden greener by purchasing and using garden products made sustainably.

Keep it cheap by starting many of your plants from seeds. Earlier this spring I posted a roundup of links of some of my favorite seed companies, and TreeHugger readers chimed in with their 10 favorite seed companies.

Next: making your garden pollinator-friendly

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Donna H.

11:45AM PST on Nov 14, 2012

Thanks.

November 14
send a green star

Michele W.

7:20AM PDT on Jul 14, 2012

Thank you

July 14
send a green star

Ron B.

7:10PM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

We have more bees than ever in our backyard this season---a good sign.

June 19
send a green star

Vicky P.

5:29PM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

thanks

Terry V.

3:44PM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

I have over 2500 square feet of flower beds and LOVE to share my extras.Have even offered them for free on Craigslist.
True gardeners share their plants. We consider it an honor.

Joan R.

11:53AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

bees love my chives and butterflies love my lilacs

Lindsay K.

11:46AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

I have some flowers in my garden that are borderline between being flowers and weeds. I have left them to grow because they are pretty - stately toadflax, and bees just love them. I have also tried to grow varieties of flowers that attract bees and other insects, and it is working! The garden is buzzing!

aj E.

9:02AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

I don't have enough room to attract much in the middle of the city, but I'll keep trying.

Suzanne L.

8:46AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

We have quite a few bees that peruse our garden. I like the huge bumblers.

Christeen A.

8:01AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

I am pollinator friendly.