Athena Rayne Anderson

This post was originally published on July 16, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online).

Start a pollinator garden plot

Here’s an example of how to create one that looks similar to mine in the featured image. You’ll need the following:

• 2″ x 4″ lumber sections to frame your plot. Start small, with a 4′ x 4′ plot, so you’ll need 4 – 4′ long sections of lumber
• Nail the sections together
• Find a spot you’d like your flowers to grow
• Watch your spot for a day to see how much light it gets
• Get a native flower seed mix or a packet of one species (try American Meadows or Prairie Moon Nursery) for your light conditions and region. I recommend a single species for plots less than 16 sq. feet because a seed mix will only give you one or two plants of each species in such a small space. I learned this the hard way!
• Fill your plot to the top with compost or soil (if you use compost, you might get “bonus” plants!)
• Follow the planting instructions for your seed mix- be sure to plant in the right season!
• OPTIONAL: I added chicken wire around my plot to keep the neighbors’ dogs from pooping in it!

Now sit back and enjoy your contribution to pollinator conservation!