All Photos from Sally’s Pollinator Garden in New Jersey.

In the busy buzz of our daily lives, it’s easy to forget about the smaller beings that play a monumental role in the great tapestry of life. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are not just beautiful to watch; they are pivotal in nurturing our ecosystem, aiding in plant reproduction, and maintaining the delicate balance of biodiversity.

At Boon For All-Ecco Bella, we are not just observers of this wondrous natural process; we are active participants. We’ve cultivated our own vibrant sanctuary—Sally’s Pollinator Garden, named affectionately after our founder and designed by Kim Eierman of EcoBeneficial of Westchester New York. This garden is a crucial habitat for pollinators, and a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship.

 Why a Pollinator Garden?

Creating a pollinator garden is an environmental imperative. These gardens serve as havens for pollinators, providing them with the shelter, nectar and breeding grounds necessary to thrive. By planting a variety of flowers and shrubs native to your area, we offer these creatures food and shelter that they recognize, which is increasingly important as urban development and agricultural practices diminish their natural habitats.

Moreover, pollinator gardens are not just beneficial for the environment; they’re a feast for the eyes and the soul. Imagine stepping outside to a garden teeming with fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees among a riot of flowers. It’s not only a spectacle of nature’s beauty but a profound way to connect with the earth and contribute to its preservation.

Creating a pollinator garden is a delightful way to contribute to your home habitat while enjoying the natural beauty show these creatures bring to your space. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a modest balcony, every garden can become a pollinator paradise. Here are some tips and tricks to enhance your native pollinator garden and ensure it’s a haven for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators:

  1. Choose a Variety of Plants: Diversity is key in a pollinator garden. Include a range of plants that flower at different times of the year to provide a continuous food supply. Here are some fantastic choices that attract and nourish pollinators:
  • Milkweed: One of the most effective ways to attract and support monarch butterflies is by planting milkweed. Monarchs rely on milkweed not just for nectar but as a nursery for their larvae. By adding milkweed to your garden, you’re providing a lifeline for these magnificent butterflies, ensuring that future generations can continue their essential role in our ecological web.
  • Sunflowers: These striking plants are great for attracting bees and birds and add a vibrant touch to any garden.
  • Coneflowers (Echinacea): These hardy perennials are favorites among butterflies and bees.
  • Sage: Offers a long blooming period and attracts a variety of bees and butterflies.
  • Foxglove: Attracts bees with its bell-shaped flowers.
  • Borage: Known as a bee magnet, this plant also has edible flowers that can be used in salads or as garnishes.
  • Mountain Mint: Draws a variety of bees and butterflies and repels unwanted insects.
  1. Provide Water Sources: Just like all creatures, pollinators need water to survive. Adding a shallow water source, such as a birdbath with stones or marbles for landing spots, can make your garden even more attractive to pollinators.
  2. Do Not Use Chemicals: Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are harmful to pollinators. 95% of insects in your pollinator garden are beneficial. Leave them bee!
  3. Include Nesting and Overwintering Sites: Pollinators need places to nest and overwinter. Leave some areas of your garden a little wild to provide shelter. You can also install bee hotels or leave hollow stems, leaves and brush piles to offer nesting sites.
  4. Plant in Clusters: Planting in clusters rather than single plants can help pollinators find and access the flowers more easily. Grouping the same types of plants together in a block also increases the visual appeal of your garden.
  5. Choose Native: Native plants are generally easier to grow and better adapted to your local climate. They also tend to attract native pollinators. Check with local garden centers, mail order nurseries, your local Native Plant Society or extension services to find the best native species for your area.
  6. Sunny Spaces: Most flowering plants prefer full sun, and pollinators are no exception. Ensure your garden has plenty of sunlight, ideally six or more hours a day, to keep both plants and pollinators happy. They will even fall asleep on the flowers!

 

Creating and maintaining a pollinator garden is an ongoing adventure that offers a myriad of benefits—not just to the pollinators but to our environment as a whole. By following these tips and incorporating a diverse range of plants, you’ll create a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem right in your backyard. Plus, you’ll have the added joy of watching these beautiful creatures as they visit your garden throughout the seasons.

Embark on this rewarding journey and watch your garden transform into a bustling hub of nature’s activity.

Embracing pollinator-friendly practices goes hand-in-hand with sustainable living, much like our Boon Broth reset. This initiative supports a plant-based lifestyle, which, in turn, creates more habitats for crucial pollinators. Regenerative agriculture helps improve soil health, increase water retention, and support biodiversity. When you make room for butterflies and bees by supporting this kind of lifestyle, you’re directly contributing to the revival of ecosystems. Try a plant-based, sustainable way of living today! We provide you with 30 days of plant-based recipes along with Boon Broth designed to support your gut, help you reach your ideal weight, have more focus and energy, along with better hair, skin and nails.