When I was exploring ways to build on regenerative agricultural practices, adding or building on areas that would support pollinators came up again and again. And after learning more about the role that they play; it was clear that Creating a Pollinator Patch would need to be added to our List of Things to Do.
Why are pollinators so important?
“Of the 1,400 crop plants grown around the world, i.e., those that produce all of our food and plant-based industrial products, almost 80% require pollination by animals.” ~USDA
Without them, there may be no us.
As a result of climate change, pesticide use and habitat loss pollinators are facing a significant and dangerous population decline. And our friends, the pollinators, are more than meets the eye. They can be a bee, a butterfly, a wasp, an ant, a moth and so much more.
Fun Fact: There are about 400 species of bees in Wisconsin.
After two failed attempts at planting pollinators from seed, I gave up and gave in and planted started plantings this year. I was also committed to planting native to Wisconsin species that included some purchased plants, Joe Pye Weed, Blue and Yellow Indigo and Coneflowers, and some that were found around our homestead that were carefully dug up and replanted, Milkweed, Goldenrod and Asters.
The start of our Pollinator Patch with straw beds in the middle that serves as walk way, supression of grass growth to give new plantings room to flourish and a moisture retainer.
Joe Pye Weed, fun to say and cool to see.
Check out more about the invaluable role pollinators play for us and our planet and discover some very easy-peasy ways that you too can do more.
At the end of the day, whether we want to admit it or not, we all could bee doing more.
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