Though they may seem small, the pollinators buzzing around your lawn and garden play a huge role in the survival of our world. Virtually all the planet’s seed plants need pollinators — and that includes those that make up a vital part of humanity’s diet. As pollinator week kicks off (June 20-26), we’re emphasizing the work and plans we employ year-round to support pollinator health.
How you can help
Here are a few steps you can take to make your lawn or garden a pollinator paradise.
Get messy. Pollinators don’t care if your yard is a little untidy. In fact, they prefer it that way. Small piles of sticks and high grass offer protection, especially when insects are just starting out. Use this as an excuse to put off yard work for a little while.
Feed the hummingbirds. Grow plants that attract more pollinators to your yard. Include perennials like red or purple hollyhock, pink or red coral bells, bee balm, summer phlox and sage in your garden that attract hummingbirds, which are great pollinators.
Offer a drink. Make sure to provide a water source for your pollinator guests. Bees and butterflies benefit from still pools and puddles. Offer them a drink in a bowl or birdbath filled with small rocks so they don’t drown while getting hydrated.
Avoid pesticides. When you try to eliminate unwelcome guests from your garden, consider alternative methods before you reach for harsh chemicals. Include some companion plants in your landscape that naturally deter certain pests, encourage birds who feast on bugs or enlist beneficial bug predators to take out unwelcome insects.
How we help
We work hard to help pollinators thrive, whether it’s Pollinator Week or not. That’s why at our solar sites, we plant pollinator-friendly habitats, native grasses and pollinator mixes, underneath, between and around the solar panels. These plants provide resources for bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and other flower-friendly creatures. They also enrich the soil. Decades later, when the project is dismantled, the nutrient-rich soil should be ideal for farming – but only if we work together to protect pollinators today!
Just the bee-ginning
Would you like more information about how we work to better the environment? See how our Clean Energy Blueprint guides our path toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.