The family yard is still the safe outdoor space to relax, play and de-stress. The TurfMutt Foundation reminds families that nature starts right outside your back door – and one way to help nature is to make sure your yard supports our very-important pollinators.
June is National Pollinators Month and June 21-27 is designated as “National Pollinator Week.” Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S Department of the Interior, Pollinator Week is a great opportunity to encourage people to do more in their backyards to support pollinators.
Plant It for the Planet
• Choose flowering plants for pollinators – butterflies, bees, bats and hummingbirds
• Backyards, school yards, green roofs, parks, planted medians and other green spaces provide food and shelter for pollinators
• Select flowering plants that thrive in your yard’s conditions, considering the following: climate zone, soil type, sun/shade ratio, and average rainfall
• Plant a healthy balance of grasses, garden flowers, shrubs, and trees
• 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce
• About 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators
• More than 3,500 species of native bees help increase crop yields
I had a chance to interview Kris Kiser, president and CEO of The TurfMutt Foundation about how our yards, parks and other green spaces important for the planet for the health and well-being of us all.
Why is it important for families to consider pollinators when planning their landscapes?
Our backyards provide food and shelter for pollinators – bees, butterflies and birds. By choosing the right pollinating plants for your climate and lifestyle, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and purposeful green space your entire family and backyard wildlife will enjoy.
How can families find the right plants for their climate?
Finding the right plants for your yard is simple if you know the right questions to ask, such as: Do we have long, hot summers? Or, are we in an arid region or a wet one? By checking out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map or visiting the local nursery you can easily learn which plants, grasses, shrubs and trees are most likely to succeed where you live. By taking these steps will help you select climate-appropriate plants that will thrive with little input from you.
How much impact do backyard gardens have on pollinators?
In addition to being a safe place for kids and pets, our yards are a vital home habitat for pollinators, bees, butterflies and birds, and backyard wildlife, which rely on our backyard ecosystem for food and shelter. By planting the appropriate nectar and pollen-rich flowers for your climate, you will nourish pollinators. Allowing a pile of grass clippings to decompose on your lawn, rather than bagging it for the trash, will shelter insects, worms and other backyard critters.
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