Building a Pollinator Garden
Imagine stepping outside and seeing your yard buzzing with life — bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visiting the flowers you’ve planted. By creating your own pollinator garden, you’re not only adding beauty to your space, you’re also helping protect the creatures that keep our ecosystems healthy and our food growing.
The good news? It’s easy to get started! Follow our simple, step-by-step guide to plan, plant, and care for a garden that provides food and shelter for pollinators all season long. Whether you have a large yard, a small plot, or even just a few containers, every garden makes a difference.
Together, we can grow healthier communities — one garden at a time.
Step 1: What You'll Need to Start
Begin by clearing your garden area of any weeds and loosening the soil so it’s ready for planting. A helpful tip: water the soil the day before to make pulling weeds easier. If the soil quality is poor, consider adding a layer of fresh soil to give your plants the best start
Step 2: Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Landscape
If your garden site is exposed to strong winds, consider adding a windbreak to help protect your plants and visiting pollinators. Incorporating rocks can also enhance the look of your garden while providing warm resting spots for butterflies. To support them further, place a shallow bowl filled with mud in the garden. Butterflies use this as a drinking source and to absorb essential minerals through a process called “wicking.”
Step 3: Planting and Planning Your Garden
Be sure to space plants far enough apart to allow room for growth, and water them thoroughly right after planting. For best results, include a variety of recommended plants that provide nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds, as well as leaves for caterpillars. Pollinator gardens with a high density and diversity of plants are the most inviting and beneficial for pollinators.
We encourage adding native plants to your pollinator garden, as they provide the best support for local pollinators. Click the links below to explore lists of native plants found in Manitoba that you can include in your garden!
Not sure where to buy your seeds from? Prairie Originals (located in Selkirk MB) and Skinner Native Seeds (located in Roblin, MB) are two great local businesses to choose from!
Step 4: Mulch for Beauty and Balance
Mulching is an effective way to reduce weeds and retain soil moisture around your plants. For extra protection, you can start by placing a few layers of wet newspaper around your plants—this biodegradable layer acts as a barrier against weeds. Then, cover with a thick layer of mulch. Local tree removal companies can be a great source for mulch. Keep in mind that while the newspaper helps hold moisture, you may need to water more thoroughly to ensure water reaches the plant roots.
Step 5: Caring for Your Garden
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves, flowers, and branches to encourage healthy new growth. Be mindful not to disturb birds’ nests, caterpillars, or chrysalises while pruning.
Watering: Newly planted gardens require frequent watering to establish strong roots. For established gardens, provide periodic deep waterings, especially during the hottest, driest weeks of summer, to keep plants thriving.
