Butterflies on milkweed

One third of human food crops and 90% of flowering plants need animal pollinators for reproduction.  Pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds and bats. Whether we realize it or not, each of us depends on pollinators to provide the wide range of foods we eat.  Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set and quality, and increase fruit size.  On the farm, this improves production per acre.  In the wild, wildlife food sources increase.

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) pollinators are in trouble.  Bees, bats and other animal pollinators face many challenges in the world today.  Habitat loss, disease, parasites and environmental contaminants have all contributed to the decline of many species of pollinators.

There are things that we can do in our own yards to help them thrive.  We can provide food and shelter by planting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants in our landscapes.  Shrubs and trees, including dogwood, locust, spicebush, sumac, blueberries and ninebark provide pollen and nectar at various times of the year starting in early spring.  Native flowers such as butterfly weed, asters, blazing stars and sunflowers provide a continuing food supply through the summer and into the fall.  Many also provide a food source for larvae, such as marsh milkweed does for the monarch caterpillar.  Consider planting a small native prairie patch or butterfly garden.  To attract many different pollinators, choose a wide variety of flower colors, shapes and fragrances that bloom at different seasons and heights.  Plant flowers in groups to increase pollination efficiency.

We can protect pollinators from accidental poisoning by eliminating or reducing the amount of pesticides we use in our yards.  When chemicals must be applied, they should be sprayed in the early morning or early evening when pollinators are not as active.

Provide a clean water source and consider leaving some dead tree trunks or branches for wood-nesting bees and beetles, as well as some leaf litter for shelter.  Areas of bare earth will provide ground-nesting insects easy access to underground tunnels.

To help create pollinator friendly landscapes, Franklin Soil and Water is offering a Bee and Butterfly Packet of trees and shrubs, packets of fruit trees and berries, a wide assortment of native perennials and seed packets that will provide three seasons of pollen and nectar.  You will be able to enjoy the gentle buzzing of bees in the garden, the colorful butterflies and flowers and also appreciate the fruits of their labors on your table for many years to come.

Published: January 27th, 2012