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The first step toward creating pollinator habitat is deciding how you want to make a change on your property or rental space*.
Before you begin, use this chart to determine the best type of project for your yard and lifestyle. Planning, installation, maintenance, cost and aesthetics are addressed in BWSR’s Planting for Pollinators Habitat Guide.
*Projects on rental properties must be approved by landlords
Key items to consider for your pollinator project:
- Grow pollinator friendly flowers by installing Minnesota origin native plants.
- Increase biodiversity by choosing three blooming plants per season: spring, summer and fall.
- Don’t want to plant a large garden? Consider planting beneficial trees and shrubs instead.
- Eliminate the use of insecticides and fungicides as much as possible.
- Take before/after photos to track your progress.
- Help spread the word about free technical resources available to start your own pollinator project.
- Reminder: Sharing plants with soil is NOT recommended due to possible spread of Jumping Worms.
What is a Legume?
A Legume is a species in the pea family (Fabaceae family). The term is also used to describe a type of fruit that plants in the pea family produce. Most legumes have a fruit structure like a pea pod. In Minnesota, agricultural crops such as soybeans or green beans qualify as legumes, but we also have many native legumes that play important ecological roles in the landscape. These native species can be trees, shrubs or herbaceous plants and are commonly used as part of ecological restoration projects or plantings to benefit pollinators and provide many other environmental benefits.
Learn more about legumes and their role in pollinator habitat by reading our "What is a Legume?" fact sheet.