Pollinator Garden Step By Step
- Garden Location Site: Choose a south-facing spot with 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, ensuring good drainage (common in Southern Oregon’s volcanic or clay soils). Place it 30+ feet from structures for fire safety.
- Size: Start with a 10x10-foot plot, expandable as needed. Soil Prep: Test soil pH (aim for 6.0-7.0) and amend with compost. Avoid synthetic fertilizers to protect pollinators.
- Planting Schedule and Layout
Spring (March-May)
Plants:
- Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum): Early nectar for Mason Bees and Honey Bees. Plant 5-7 clumps, spaced 1-2 feet apart.
- Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum): Attracts Bumble Bees and Hummingbirds. Add 2-3 shrubs, spaced 4-5 feet apart.
- Columbine (Aquilegia formosa): Hummingbird favorite. Plant 3-5 clusters, 1-2 feet apart.
Layout: Place shrubs along the back as a windbreak, with perennials in front for easy access. Mulch with gravel (fire-resistant) around bases.
Summer (June-August)
Plants:
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Draws Honey Bees and Bumble Bees. Plant 6-8 plants, spaced 1.5 feet apart.
- Penstemon (Penstemon spp.): Bumble Bee and Swallowtail attractant. Add 4-6 clumps, 1-2 feet apart.
- Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): Essential for Swallowtail caterpillars. Plant 2-3 patches, 2 feet apart.
Layout: Arrange in rows or a spiral pattern, keeping 3-5 feet between groups to reduce fire spread. Water with drip irrigation during dry spells.
Fall (September-October)
Plants:
- Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.): Late-season food for Swallowtails and Bees. Plant 5-7 clusters, 1-2 feet apart.
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Supports Bumble Bees and Honey Bees. Add 4-6 clumps, 1-2 feet apart.
Layout: Scatter around the garden’s edges or in a circular bed, maintaining spacing for airflow and fire safety.
Additional Features
- Water Source: Install a shallow dish or birdbath with pebbles, refilled daily in summer. Place near the center for easy access.
- Nesting Aids: Add a bee hotel (wooden blocks with drilled holes) for Mason Bees near the back, and a small brush pile for Bumble Bees.
- Maintenance: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage regrowth, and remove invasive weeds like Scotch broom. Avoid pesticides—use neem oil if pests appear.
Fire Safe Considerations
Use fire-resistant natives (e.g., manzanita as a border) and keep vegetation pruned to 4 inches off the ground. Clear dead leaves monthly during fire season (June-October).