How to Help Pollinators in Your Garden This Summer
This summer at Haskins we’re focusing on all things pollinators!
As a business, we’re a big fan of bees, can you tell? And we want to encourage all our lovely customers to help our friendly pollinators thrive this summer because without them, we have a big problem!
Bee populations are under severe stress. Since the Second World War, we’ve lost 97% of our wildflower meadows, a vital habitat which pollinators depend on for food and shelter. Friends of the Earth say ‘Britain’s bees are in trouble. 35 UK bee species are under threat of extinction, and all species face serious threats.’
Here’s how you can help in your garden at home!
Select the
right plants
Choose plants high in pollen and nectar is crucial to supporting your garden visitors, whether it’s the odd pot, pollinator plants mixed into your displays or a whole dedicated bed, a little bit of help goes a long way!
Our biggest tip is to go for flowers that have as open a surface as possible, bees, butterflies and other pollinators need easy access to their energy source.
You can find a list of plants for pollinators here!
Mow less
Although a freshly mowed lawn is something us humans love, our pollinators wouldn’t agree!
Even leaving just a small patch of your lawn to grow out so that any ‘weeds’ flower is better than nothing. These ‘weeds’ give a great extra boost to our garden visitors!
Longer grass also creates a cooler, more humid microclimate and acts as essential cover from predators, giving pollinators a place to rest and lay eggs.
Hydration station
Bees sometimes need to stop for a little drink, offering a shallow edge of a pond or small dish filled with stones and water provides a safe hydration station for pollinators to seek.
Avoid pesticides
To protect pollinators, never spray open flowers and make sure to read the instructions before use. In a pollinator friendly space, we must expect some ‘pests’. They create a natural balance in the garden and provide larvae which some pollinators eat. If pesticides are needed, we recommend considering organic products, the Ecofective range is our favourite here at Haskins!
For more information on how to give a helping hand to the wildlife in your garden pop in and see our friendly team of experts or give us a follow on socials @haskinsgardencentres.