Blooming Bounty: Grow a Pollinator Paradise (You Can Eat!)
Have you noticed fewer buzzing friends flitting around your zucchini blossoms this summer? It's a common concern these days. The good news is, you can help! And what if I told you, you could do that by enjoying your favourite treats and foods? By integrating edibles into your pollinator garden, you're not just helping the environment – you're creating a sustainable cycle of bounty and flavour.
Lush edible garden with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers attracts bumblebees, butterflies, and other pollinators, creating a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem.
Pollinators – bees, butterflies, moths, even hummingbirds – are essential for a healthy planet. They play a vital role in food production and maintaining biodiversity. Sadly, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. But, you can make a difference! This post will show you how to design a beautiful and productive garden that provides essential food and habitat for pollinators while also providing you with delicious and nutritious food.
Understanding the Pollinator-Edible Connection
It's easy to think that pollinators are only interested in wildflowers, but many edible plants are incredibly attractive to them. Open-pollinated varieties, in particular, are often excellent nectar and pollen sources. These heirloom plants have retained their original genetic diversity, leading to variations in flower structure and bloom time that can benefit a wider range of pollinators. Also, Single petal flowers let the pollinator get to the nectar and pollen more easily.
The relationship between pollinators and edible plants is symbiotic. Pollinators transfer pollen, enabling edible plants to produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. In return, the edible plants provide pollinators with the nectar and pollen they need to survive. Think of it as a delicious win-win! Where possible, use 'native' edible plants. These are often the best choice, but make sure you are planting the correct plant for your hardiness zone!
It's also important to understand the difference between nectar and pollen sources. Nectar is a sugary liquid that provides pollinators with energy, while pollen is a protein-rich food source essential for larval development. A well-rounded pollinator garden should offer both.
A single-petal, open-pollinated zinnia provides easier access for the bee to reach pollen and nectar compared to a double-petal variety. Open-pollinated seeds are great to support life cycles.
Key Takeaway: Pollinators aren't just attracted to wildflowers; many edible plants offer valuable food sources and increase your harvest!
Design Your Edible Pollinator Patch: Planning & Planting
Creating a thriving edible pollinator garden requires some thoughtful planning. Here's how to get started:
- Site Selection: Choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. A sunny spot will encourage vigorous growth and abundant blooms. Also, consider proximity to a water source and protection from strong winds.
- Soil Preparation: Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden. Amend your soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. This will improve drainage, aeration, and nutrient availability.
- Companion Planting: Companion planting is a fantastic way to deter pests and attract pollinators. Certain plants release scents or chemicals that repel unwanted insects, while others attract beneficial insects that prey on pests. Here are a few examples:
- Basil planted near tomatoes helps to deter tomato hornworms and attract pollinators like bees and hoverflies.
- Marigolds planted around vegetables repel nematodes and attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which feed on aphids.
- Succession Planting: Extend your harvest and provide a continuous supply of blooms for pollinators by practicing succession planting. Plant multiple crops of the same edible at intervals of two to three weeks. This will ensure a steady supply of flowers and food throughout the growing season.
- Regional Specificity: Remember that planting choices will vary based on your climate and hardiness zone. Consult your local extension office or nursery for recommendations on the best edible plants for your area.
Raised beds showcasing a companion planting system with herbs and vegetables such as basil, tomatoes, marigolds, dill, borage and calendula.
Key Takeaway: Careful planning and soil preparation are crucial for creating a thriving edible pollinator garden.
Top 5 Edible Plants That Pollinators Adore (and You Will Too!)
Here are five edible plants that are particularly attractive to pollinators and relatively easy to grow:
- Borage: This beautiful herb boasts vibrant blue, star-shaped flowers that are a magnet for bumblebees. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, with a refreshing cucumber-like flavour. Add them to salads, drinks, or use them as a garnish.
Borage's bright blue flowers attract bumblebees, providing a valuable nectar source in the pollinator-friendly garden.
- Lavender: With its fragrant purple flowers, lavender attracts bees and butterflies alike. It's a versatile herb with culinary uses in desserts, drinks, and savoury dishes. Plant lavender in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
A lavender field in full bloom attracts butterflies and other pollinators with its fragrant purple flowers, creating a serene and vibrant landscape.
- Herbs (Dill, Parsley, Cilantro): Don't discard your herbs after harvest! When you allow dill, parsley, and cilantro to flower, they become a haven for pollinators, especially hoverflies. The edible seeds and leaves add flavour to your dishes.
Dill in full bloom is a magnet for hoverflies and other pollinators, adding a touch of beauty and biodiversity to the garden.
- Strawberries: Strawberries provide an early-season nectar source for pollinators, offering a sweet reward for their efforts. And, of course, you get to enjoy the delicious fruits!
Ripe red strawberries growing in the garden, providing delicious fruits and early-season nectar source for pollinators.
- Raspberries/Blackberries: These berry bushes attract a variety of pollinators with their abundant blossoms. The delicious berries are a treat for both you and the local wildlife.
Ripe raspberries attract a butterfly with their bright color. Raspberries in the garden provide delicious berries to eat and beneficial insects.
Key Takeaway: These edible plants will attract a wide range of pollinators and provide you with fresh ingredients for your kitchen.
Beyond Flowers: Creating a Complete Pollinator Habitat
Attracting pollinators isn't just about planting flowers. To create a truly thriving habitat, you also need to provide water and shelter.
- Water Source: Pollinators need water, especially during hot summer months. Provide a shallow dish of water with pebbles or marbles for them to land on. This will prevent them from drowning.
Shallow dish of water with pebbles in a garden to let pollinators get a drink. The stones also prevent the bees from drowning.
- Shelter: Shelter is also important for pollinators. Leave some areas of your garden undisturbed, with brush piles or patches of native grasses. These areas provide nesting sites and refuge from the elements.
- Avoid Pesticides: This is crucial! Pesticides can harm or kill pollinators. Use natural pest control methods, such as companion planting and hand-picking, to protect your beneficial insects.
- Building a Simple Bee House: You can also provide shelter by building a simple bee house. Drill holes of varying sizes into a block of wood and hang it in a sunny location. This will attract solitary bees, which are excellent pollinators.
You can also purchase premade houses from most stores that sell garden supplies.
Key Takeaway: A complete pollinator habitat includes food, water, and shelter.
From Our Garden to Yours
Creating an edible pollinator garden is a rewarding experience that benefits both you and the environment. By incorporating these simple steps into your gardening practices, you can help support pollinator populations while enjoying fresh, homegrown food. As summer fades and autumn approaches, consider leaving seed heads standing to provide food for overwintering insects. Every small action counts.
Why not sign up for our newsletter to get year-round gardening tips? Or better yet, share your own tips for attracting pollinators to your garden in the comments below! What are your favorite edible plants to grow for pollinators? Let us know! Even one small change can make a huge difference. Happy gardening!
A happy gardener harvesting herbs and vegetables from her thriving edible garden during a warm, sunset.