Plant a garden for Pollinators and Birds

Spring in the Northern Hemisphere will be here before we know it! Now is the best time to start planning and preparing for a bird-friendly garden this spring. Here are a few resources you can use while you’re plotting and researching your nature friendly landscape this year: What should you consider when designing a garden that birds will love? Read a few of the basic design considerations in the downloadable guide, Creating a Garden for Birds.

Learn bird water source preferences, why you should think about planting to attract insects to your yard, why “messy is beautiful,” and more in the free preview of the self-paced, online course, Growing Wild: Gardening for Birds and Nature. Worried what the neighbors will think of your nature friendly yard? Take a look at a few strategies you can use to keep your space wild, yet well planned in Tips To Make A “Messy” Wildlife Garden Look Good.

More good advice: Grow native flowering plants – adapted to local soils and climates, native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees are usually the best sources of nectar and pollen for native pollinators. Most native plants require little irrigation, bloom without fertilizers, and are unlikely to become weedy. Plant in the sun – Your pollinator-friendly plants should receive full sun throughout most of the day. Butterfly adults generally feed only in the sun. Provide long-lasting blooms – Sustain pollinators throughout the seasons. Plant a variety of plants that flower at different times providing nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season. Plant in groups – Clumps of flowering plants will attract more pollinators than single plants scattered in the landscape. No insecticides – Insecticides have the potential to poison or kill pollinators.

Here is a list of Idaho Native Plants that are very attractive to pollinators and are well-suited for plantings in gardens. Buy local if you can. For more information about bloom times visit the Draggin’ Wing High Desert Nursery (named for the Killdeer that nest on their grounds).