Two years ago, my bright-eyed three-year-old picked up a ladybug, and something was born. Ever since that fateful day of her discovery, she has made it a goal to create a habitat supporting our insect friends. I am here to support her 100%.
If you want to help your child embrace our fragile ecosystem of pollinators, here are some easy ways to do so!
Aim for a natural garden, not a “perfect” one.
First off, creating a pollinator garden is more than just planting a few flowers. Though helpful, you need to make an environment, not just a garden. Why? Because our ecosystem is currently being depleted through housing and commercial development. Large fields that once supported the fragile pollinator are now being taken over. Our butterflies and bees need more than just the occasional flower to thrive.
So, if you hate the presence of weeds, understand their role in our ecosystem and how incredibly important they are to insects that emerge early in the spring. If you must be rid of the dandelions, create a patch that remains untouched until late June when our other flowering plants have an opportunity to bloom.
» » » » » RELATED READ: 5 Flowering Plants that Will Make Your Kids Love Gardening « « « « «
If weeds aren’t an issue for you or your HOA, then let them grow! I know they aren’t always the prettiest, but they are so vital to our bees and butterflies. Consistent treatments of average suburban lawns are the reason we have witnessed such a decline in our pollinator population. Keep in mind that many herbicides will keep these insects away. If you spray for weeds or have neighbors that do, developing a pollinator garden can be difficult, so do your best to isolate the garden to keep the bugs coming and keep them safe.
Section out a spot where you aren’t concerned about perfection. It can still be cute! Back in 2020 when the October ice storm hit in OKC, our redbud took a nasty hit, and the following year it had to be cut down. This left a stump and a lot of space around it. This is where we created our Fairy Garden, aka Pollinator Garden. We bought little ornaments of fairies and mushrooms to add and sectioned the spot off. I filled it with nutrient-dense soil and began planting.
So what do you plant?
Most home and garden stores will carry mixes for pollinators. However, if you wish to get specific, zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and coneflowers are the best choices. Pollinators seek flowers that contain an open flat shape with bright colors. You can also focus your efforts on attracting specific butterflies. Swallowtail butterflies seek out herbs like parsley and dill to lay their eggs, much like Monarchs seek out milkweed to lay their eggs. Providing a baseline food source for caterpillars will ensure more attraction to your garden. In addition, wildflowers will keep the bees happy and coming back for pollen.
Create shelter.
In addition to planting your flowers, creating a space for our pollinators to stay is a great way to support our ecosystem. When Monarchs travel, they seek out nutritionally dense mud like a green smoothie to boost their energy. Take a plate or simply make a spot to leave a section of mud for them to find. Carpenter bees struggle to find shelter while doing their job, so you can purchase small boxes and homes designed to keep them safe. During the fall, instead of raking all your leaves to be taken away, make a pile near or in your garden. Insects will seek refuge in the dead foliage. Not only will this help them out, but it’s also great for your soil!
Plant your veggies nearby.
Another great way to get further benefit from our pollinator friends is by planting a nearby vegetable or berry garden. Giving them further plants to pollinate will ensure a returning guest and also will give you better chances at seeing those tomato plants thrive.
Find resources.
Lastly, seek out resources that can assist in your journey in supporting our pollinators. Okies for Monarchs is an amazing organization working to support the resurgence of our monarch population. You can find resources and tips on their website. If you want to expand the educational benefits, you can purchase butterfly habitats to collect caterpillars and observe the full metamorphosis process.
The benefits of planting a pollinator garden with your child are multifaceted. Not only are you assisting in their education on insects and horticulture, but you are also building empathy.
It takes a certain amount of kindness to want to protect our smallest creatures. You will enlighten your children’s curiosity and set them up for a future of wonder and understanding.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of OKC Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
