For spring-to-fall bloom, plant flowers of various colors, shapes, and bloom times. For instance, you want to give spring-waking insects food immediately.
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1. Plant a Variety
Instead of spacing individual plants, group them to attract pollinators. Planting three to five plants in clusters tells insects there's food in your garden.
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2. Go Big and Bold
Annuals bloom once from planting to frost, providing long-term color. They bloom quickly and require little care, making them good starters.
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3. Start with Annual
Perennials bloom for weeks to months and return for many seasons, making them ideal for pollinator gardens. Long-term commitments require patience.
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4. Plant Plenty of Perennial
Plant borage, chives, sage, cilantro, and dill in beds, pots, or edibles to attract pollinators. Many pollinators visit fennel and scarlet runner beans.
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5. Include Edible Varietie
Shrubs, trees, and flowers provide color, structure, food, and shelter to gardens and wildlife. Lots are low-maintenance.
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6. Use Shrubs and Trees for Structure
Procrastinators rejoice! Leave leaf litter and seedheads intact in winter to shelter pollinators. Bennett advises against letting the yard go wild.
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7. Be a Little Lazy About Fall Cleanup
A bug needs water. A simple water feature is charming. Use a birdbath or shallow dish with a pebble to attract pollinators and change the water every few days to avoid mosquitoes.