Massachusetts Pollinator Network’s Guidelines for Ecological Gardening
Choose the right plants
Prioritize planting your landscape with native plants, including trees and shrubs
Ask your local nursery for seeds and plants that are native, straight species (not cultivars), that are not treated with pesticides
Plant a wide variety of native plants, shrubs, and trees with different heights, flower shapes and colors. Include bloom times in spring, summer and fall
Plant flowering plants in your lawn, especially clover, violets, self-heal (Prunella), wild strawberries, and native grasses
As you progress in your ecological gardening practices, remember that the rule of thumb for creating pollinator habitat is to have at least 70% of your plants be native species
Care of your garden
Minimize soil disruption (digging, tilling) to protect soil health
Avoid all pesticides (herbicides, insecticides & fungicides) and granulated fertilizers
Skip fall cleanup and wait until mid-spring to cut stems to about 12” (or better yet, never remove them!)
Don’t rake/blow leaves; if they are in a path, gently move them to a garden bed
Where it is safe to do so, leave dead tree trunks standing & stash fallen branches in an inconspicuous place; they are vital insect homes
Mow every 2-3 weeks. Allow grass to get 3-4” tall
Other ways to support wildlife
Pollinators, other insects, and birds get thirsty like all of us, especially now that our temperatures reach record heights. And, like us, they need a reliable and safe water source. Learn how to easily add water to your space
If possible keep outdoor lights off, or use yellow motion-sensor lights, pointing downward. See more info on the DarkSky movement and a video on night pollinators
Leave areas of bare, loose soil for ground nesting bees
If you are feeling overwhelmed . . .
There are people who can help! We have created a list of ecological landscapers who understand the need for and encourage native plants. If you have businesses to add, please let us know.
