Around this time of year, many Utah gardeners are starting or getting ready to start growing their plants indoors. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, you should start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date. But no matter how well your plants do indoors, you will have to eventually move them outdoors where it’s up to mother nature to do most of the work.
Pollinators such as bees are in danger and need our help. Many populations are in decline due to habitat loss, diseases, and the overuse of pesticides. So it makes sense that you want as 
many pollinators as possible to pay your garden a visit. How do you attract them? Keep reading to find out.
What Are Some Other Types of Pollinators?
There are many different types of pollinators but bees are by far the most important, providing one-third of the food we eat. Pollinators are also responsible for allowing the plants in our gardens to produce fruits and seeds. Other types of pollinators include bats, hummingbirds, moths, beetles, and butterflies.
Plant Sunflowers
Sunflowers are beautiful, tall plants that steal the show in any garden. Their height also makes them a beacon for pollinators, with some varieties reaching 14 feet in height. Their large yellow heads are a rich source of nectar and pollen. The best part is that their height keeps all this buzzing bee activity above your head and out of the way. After the pollinators have done their job you will be left with sunflower heads full of seeds for winter bird feeding.
Create Drifts Of Wildflowers
You really can’t go wrong with the types of flowers you choose for your yard. If it’s a flower, a pollinator will seek it out. But in order to attract them, you need to plant a lot of them and different varieties. Creating a viable pollinator garden is as easy as planting large amounts of flowers in groups around your yard. Having different areas of your yard for pollinators to visit mimics the natural way they seek out nectar. Be sure to stagger your flowers so you have blooms throughout the year.
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are the rarest and most majestic of the pollinators. Just the sight of one will take our breath away and leave us staring until it flutters off. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, especially the color red. So if you want to attract hummingbirds you want to choose perennial flowers like red or purple hollyhock, pink or red coral bells, bee balm, summer phlox, or sage. Annuals include begonias, geraniums, cosmos, and petunias. Hummingbirds are also attracted to flowering vines like hibiscus, honeysuckle and flowering currant.
Many homeowners like to put up hummingbird feeders on their porch to feed hummingbirds. This way you get to see them up close. Hummingbird feeders can be purchased at any hardware store. You can even make your own hummingbird nectar and store it for later use.
Call The Experts At Ferta-Lawn
Here at Ferta-Lawn, we know Utah lawns. Our six-step lawn care program begins with a thorough inspection of your yard so our professionals can come up with a personalized plan for your lawn. We will continue to visit your yard throughout the year to control weeds and apply fertilizer to keep your lawn looking green and vibrant.
Having trouble with pests or don’t even want to deal with them this year? Call and ask about our pest control programs.
Call us at 801-295-3057 or quickly contact us here. Check out our blog for more tips on lawn care, tree care, pest control, and more. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on the latest news and deals from Ferta-Lawn.
