Before certifying your property most habitat certifications have several requirements. These sites all have lists specific to their certifications but a few things they have in common:
- habitat and food source for both young and adults
- water sources
- no pesticides/chemicals that can harm wildlife and pollinators
- invasives management
If you’re just starting on your journey you can use these sites to reference things to add to your garden/property.
Planting for Pollinators
Online native plant nurseries sell plants in seed cell trays like the one on the left. At in person native plant nurseries you can find plant starts or more established seedlings. I’ve used and recommend both. For shrubs and trees you’re better off with local stores, whereas perennials from plugs can establish really quickly and it’s really about budget and size of the project which will suit your needs.
Plant for multiple parts of the pollinator life cycle
Images below are of swallowtail caterpillar on parsley and fennel (both non natives that the caterpillars find a suitable substitute for their native hostplants), and a monarch caterpillar on common milkweed
Below you’ll see bees and butterflies feeding on nectar, another stage in their lifecycle that native plants support. Giving them host plants for caterpillars but not nectar sources means the adults will not hang around after pupating. If you want to enjoy their adult form then make sure you include plenty of blooms throughout the season.
I think this is the last thing most new gardeners consider, but removing invasives is beneficial in that it gives more targeted species for pollinators and wildlife. Some invasives like black swallowort even mimic the native plants and break the cycle bc while they may attract pollinators to lay eggs their foliage is not a food source so the caterpillars will die.
Signage – spread the word
Help educate your friends and neighborhood with signage that can let them know why your landscaping looks different or why you leave certain things standing all winter. I think if there is one thing my fashion background has taught me is that most people want examples of how to do something and trend leaders will be the model they follow.
Here are the Habitat certifications that we chose:
- Pollinator habitat – xerces society
- Wildlife habitat – National Wildlife Federation
- Monarch waystation – Monarch Watch
Want to see two of our biggest projects that support wildlife and pollinators on our property? Check out Rain Garden and Cultivating a Wildflower Meadow
“The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer
Follow our journey in growing and share in our experience and lessons learned from nature with more posts from In the Garden