Monday, June 22^rd is the kickoff of the 13^th annual National Pollinator Week here in the U.S. celebrating pollinators

and bringing awareness about what we can do to help protect them.

Responsible for pollinating over 75% of our flowering plants and crops bees, bats, birds, flies, and butterflies carry pollen

from one plant to another playing a crucial role in their reproduction, often going unnoticed. 

Yet without them, we would not have many of the nutritious berries, seeds, fruits, and vegetables

(not to mention coffee or chocolate) if it were not for pollinators.

The easiest ways to bring more pollinators into your yard is by planting a pollinator garden. When planting your garden, it is important

to keep a few things in mind. Plant flowers of different colors and shapes to attract a wide variety of pollinators. Select an assortment of

plants with different bloom times so there is food available from early spring until late fall. Pollinators also need shelter and a clean water source.

 Incorporate different canopy layers in your garden by planting shrubs, perennials, and trees of different sizes to protect pollinators from predators

and severe weather.  Add a water source that is shallow or has sloping sides so they can easily approach it without drowning.

  Pesticides are extremely toxic to pollinators so use caution and only apply them to problematic target species.

  Happy Planting!

For a full list of pollinator plants and which pollinators they attract in the North East check out

the Pollinator Partnership guide:

www.pollinator.org/PDFs/EasternBroadleaf.Oceanic.rx18.pdf

 For more information about Pollinator Week events, how you can celebrate, and what you can do to help check out:

https://pollinator.org/pollinator-week