Pollinator Garden Guide: 5 Easy Steps to Help Bees & Butterflies Thrive

Pollinators (bees, butterflies, birds!) support 1,000+ food crops and keep ecosystems healthy—but they need our help. With these simple practices, you can create a buzzing sanctuary right in your backyard!

1. Plant Native & Diverse Blooms

   • Choose local plants adapted to your soil/climate (e.g., milkweed for monarchs).
   • Mix early spring to late fall bloomers for constant food. Pro Tip: Aim for 3+ flower types per season!

2. Never Use Pesticides

   • They harm pollinators—even "natural" ones. If absolutely needed:
     → Pick low-toxicity options (e.g., neem oil).
     → Spray at night when pollinators are inactive.

3. Skip Fancy Hybrid Flowers

   • Many lack nectar/pollen. Opt for open-pollinated heirlooms like:
     → Sunflowers
     → Purple coneflowers
     → Wild lupine

4. Add Host Plants for Babies

   • Butterflies need larval hosts (e.g., dill for swallowtails).
   • Hide them behind nectar plants—caterpillars munch leaves!

5. Create "Pollinator Real Estate"

   • Set up a salt lick: Mix 1 tsp sea salt into damp soil.
   • Hang hummingbird feeders (4:1 water-to-sugar ratio).
   • Leave dead wood for nesting sites—messy gardens save lives!

Plant Native & Diverse Blooms

• Choose local plants adapted to your soil/climate (e.g., milkweed for monarchs).
• Mix early spring to late fall bloomers for constant food. Pro Tip: Aim for 3+ flower types per season!

Never Use Pesticides

• They harm pollinators—even "natural" ones. If absolutely needed:
  → Pick low-toxicity options (e.g., neem oil).
  → Spray at night when pollinators are inactive.

Skip Fancy Hybrid Flowers

• Many lack nectar/pollen. Opt for open-pollinated heirlooms like:
  → Sunflowers
  → Purple coneflowers
  → Wild lupine

Add Host Plants for Babies

• Butterflies need larval hosts (e.g., dill for swallowtails).
• Hide them behind nectar plants—caterpillars munch leaves!

Create "Pollinator Real Estate"

• Set up a salt lick: Mix 1 tsp sea salt into damp soil.
• Hang hummingbird feeders (4:1 water-to-sugar ratio).
• Leave dead wood for nesting sites—messy gardens save lives!

👉 Start your pollinator paradise with our curated seed collections:
Pollinator-Friendly Seeds at Whalejet

Q: Can I start a pollinator garden in small spaces?
A: Yes! Use containers or a 4’x4’ plot. Bees love balcony gardens too.

Q: How do I attract hummingbirds?
A: Plant red tubular flowers (bee balm, cardinal flower) and clean feeders weekly with hot, soapy water.

Q: Are fruit scraps really helpful?
A: Absolutely! Overripe bananas/oranges attract butterflies. Place them on a raised plate to avoid pests.

Q: Why avoid hybrid flowers?
A: Breeding for looks often removes nectar/pollen. Stick to heirlooms or verified pollinator-friendly hybrids.

Q: What if caterpillars eat my plants?
A: Celebrate! It means butterflies are coming. Protect prized ornamentals by planting extra host plants like parsley or milkweed.

Be a Hero for Pollinators!
Even tiny gardens make a huge difference. Ready to help bees, butterflies, and birds thrive? Grab our easy-grow pollinator seed kits and join the movement:
Explore Pollinator Seeds →

🌸 Remember: "Weeds" like clover and dandelions are pollinator superfoods—let some bloom!

🌸 Remember: "Weeds" like clover and dandelions are pollinator superfoods—let some bloom!