It doesn't take much effort to Give back to our Earth. This Earth Day try a simple approach by benefitting our pollinators! Plant a Garden for Pollinators: A most rewarding effort for immediate gratification!

If you have a small yard or outdoor patio space, you can make a difference. Plant native perennials around your home to provide food for bees and other pollinators. Low on space? Place your favorite sun-loving perennials in large attractive planters next to the patio for all to enjoy. Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are forgiving and happy to share the space with you!

Ditch the water-guzzling annuals. Choose nectar and pollen-rich flowers with a range of shapes, colors, and bloom times. Seek out locally native plants as they have evolved regionally and are well adapted to the climate, soil, light, and water conditions. Many native bee species have co-evolved to feed exclusively on native flowers and need them to survive.

Native plants help provide species like insects and birds with food, shelter, and proper habitat to reproduce. Most all flowering natives will benefit butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Early flowering spring varieties are important to attract and feed hungry bees: rosemary, lavender, phlox, catnip, most any native perennials, and a little later, bee balm and other mints, just to mention a few.

For plants that produce flowers throughout the growing season, check with your area's extensive free resource of Piedmont Virginia native plants and tree species- Piedmont Native Plants Guide.

Helping any part of nature—from pollinating insects to birds to mammals—begins with helping native plants thrive. Use organic fertilizers and ground amendments, especially in herb and food gardens. And NEVER use pesticides! 

Below are five ways to give a healthy boost to pollinators and wildlife in your yard.

1. Plant native species of plants, shrubs, and trees. Fruit trees grow fast and have the added benefit of producing apples, plums, peaches or cherries for your family while supporting the endangered bee populations.
2. Create safe and preferably moving water features to attract bees, birds, and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds especially need shallow water to rinse "the sticky" from their bodies and wings. They love sprays but indulge for short periods at a time, as there is a bit of resource wastage with a spray.
3. Keep your native perennial garden in place year round. Perennials are drought-resistant and provide nutrition for hummingbirds, bees, and birds well into the fall. Resist cleaning up your garden in the fall and leave the seeds and foliage to feed the wildlife into the winter.
4. Practice "farm to table" right from your yard! Reserve some space to plant a few herbs, vegetables, and salad. The whole family will appreciate the experience. Low on space? Attractive large planters will do just fine without the weeding chore.
5. Most all flowering natives will benefit butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees and set up a natural living environment for all wildlife.

Sit back and enjoy your new neighbors, and Thank Earth, seriously!