AS the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to cool, it might seem like an odd time to think about planting a pollinator-friendly garden. However, autumn is the perfect season to start preparing for a vibrant garden that will attract bees and butterflies come spring.
During autumn, you can lay the groundwork for your pollinator garden by:
Planning your garden layout: Take the time to sketch out your garden design, considering the types of plants and their placement in your yard.
Preparing the soil: Autumn is an excellent time to enrich your soil with compost or organic matter. This will help improve soil structure and fertility, providing a healthy environment for plants to thrive.
Selecting pollinator-friendly plants: Choose a variety of flowering plants that bloom at different times throughout the year, ensuring a continuous food source for pollinators. Native wildflowers, herbs like lavender and rosemary, and perennial flowers such as coneflowers and salvias are excellent choices.
Providing shelter: Incorporate features like rocks, logs, and dense shrubs into your garden to create hiding spots for pollinators to rest and seek shelter from predators and adverse weather.
By taking these steps in autumn, you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and welcoming habitat for bees and butterflies in your garden come spring. So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to sow the seeds of a flourishing pollinator paradise!
