Pollination in the Garden

 

This year we added more annuals to the garden, not only because I like the show of color but mostly because they are great at attracting pollinators. 

Pollinators are primarily insects that help transfer pollen.  Pollinators, like bees, seek nectar, and transfer pollen. 

It's reported that 75% of the world’s major food crops require or benefit from pollinators. 

Bees are our most important pollinators and we grow a variety of squashes and the bees gather and hold pollen for food.

If you looking to attract pollinators get at least three species of flowering plants that will bloom throughout early spring to late fall. Flowering plants include garden herbs and fruit/vegetables, and flowering shrubs and trees and wildflowers.

Our kitchen garden rests alongside a lilac bush and our flower garden is just to the west of our kitchen garden and this bee landed on one of our lilies before making it's way over to our kitchen garden

We incorporate plants like the blanket flower, marigolds, zinnias, sedums, cosmos into the kitchen garden to attract the bees.