Making Your Garden Pollinator Friendly

Most gardens will attract some bees and pollinators naturally throughout the year, but employing one or more of these pollinator friendly techniques will help optimise your garden.

One of the best strategies for gardeners wanting to support pollinating insects is not only to provide nectar and pollen-rich flowers throughout the year, but to plant a good mix of plants both native and non native to the UK. 

This ensures that in the British growing season your pollinators have access to plants native to the UK and the northern hemisphere (which are often best adapted to your local pollinators and provide the most benefits) but also that later in the year your exotic plants will extend the season and provide nectar and pollen up to the first frosts of the year.

Cutting the Grass Less Often

Allowing some or all of your grass lawn to grow slightly longer and allowing ‘‘weeds’ to flower to create a wildflower helps create even more areas for bees and other pollinators within your garden.

Providing Water

Allowing access to water within your garden is an important part of supporting wildlife and bees in your garden. You can purchase purpose build bee waterers, or you can reate your own by taking any shallow dish, fill almost to the top with pebbles or glass marbles, and filling with water. Make sure to place your water source near flowers and in a sheltered area, and to regularly replace or replenish the water. 

Avoid using pesticides wherever possible and never spray open flowers 

Provide nest sites for wild bees

Providing nesting sites for bees, especially solitary bees and bumblebees, is often crucial for their survival and their ability to pollinate. Offer a variety of nesting materials and locations in your garden, like undisturbed ground, dead stems, brush piles, and purpose-built bee hotels and, If possible, avoid using any and all pesticides within your garden.

Planting a Good Mix

The best strategy for gardeners wanting to support pollinating insects in gardens is to plant a mix of flowering plants from different parts of the world, aiming to have more plants that are native to Britain and the northern hemisphere (often best adapted to local pollinators and provide the most benefits) than the southern hemisphere. Exotic plants can be used to extend the season (especially late summer flowering) and provide nectar and pollen for some specific pollinators. Many gardeners in the UK already adopt this approach since native and northern hemisphere plants are usually very reliable in a British climate and a smattering of more exotic plants helps provide flowers up to the first frosts and often introduces unusual flowers colours and shapes.

Plant in Clumps

Grouping your plants together makes it easier for pollinators to find them and move from one plant to the next.

Getting stung by bees in your garden is unlikely, as long as you treat bees with respect. All female bees have stings, but solitary bees are not at all aggressive and only use their stings in self-defence if roughly handled.

Similarly bumblebees and honeybees are unlikely to sting while they are going about their business of collecting nectar and pollen if they are left alone. Avoid disturbing bumblebee nests or standing close to a bee hive.