Pollinate, Cultivate, Educate:
IMPLEMENTING POLLINATOR HABITAT ON YOUR URBAN FARM
BY: CIARA O’BRIEN, CHESAPEAKE CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CORPS AND NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
Introduction
In the vibrant world of urban farming, there's a crucial partnership often overlooked: the amazing connection between pollinators and crops. Pollinators, especially native bees, are unsung heroes, playing a vital role in keeping our food systems running smoothly. Did you know that bees and other animal pollinators pollinate one-third of the food crops we depend on, and native bees alone pollinate a whopping 15 percent of fruit, nut, vegetable, and field crops in the U.S.? That's a big deal! It shows just how important these small but mighty creatures are for agriculture. They're not just buzzing around; they're essential for the food on our plates. Let's take a moment to appreciate and protect these tiny superheroes, because without them, our ecosystems just wouldn't be the same.
Native bees and honey bees work together to pollinate our favorite foods. Pollinator Garden at BLISS Meadows in Baltimore
Photo by: Lindsey Walker
Sustainable urban agriculture improves food security and plays an important role in promoting environmental justice and enhancing public health.
Urban farms can increase food access in parts of cities that are historically disadvantaged and provide green spaces that can mitigate urban heat island effects. But there is another opportunity to promote environmental justice, public health, and sustainable agriculture at urban farms that is often overlooked: creating native habitat and partnering with native pollinators.
This guide is intended for urban farmers and community gardeners, where these benefits are particularly impactful. These spaces often serve as vital sources of fresh produce in areas impacted by food apartheid (a system that separates people with easy access to healthy food from those who are denied it due to systemic injustice) and foster a stronger sense of food sovereignty and resilience. Also, by engaging in sustainable practices, urban farmers can help build healthier communities, reduce exposure to pollutants, and create a more equitable food system.
Supporting urban agriculture means investing in a future where our cities are greener and our environment is healthier.
Understanding
Pollinators
Over 100,000 invertebrates including bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, wasps, and flies and more than a thousand mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians take on the job of pollinating plants. This biodiverse group of wildlife buzzes, flutters, and creeps from plant to plant, dining on protein-rich pollen and highenergy nectar. As they move, they transport and deposit pollen, fertilizing plants and allowing them to bear fruit and reproduce.
Although the domesticated European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most well-known pollinator and a beloved producer of honey, roughly 4,000 species of native bees also perform critical ecological services to plants across all North American ecosystems.
Despite their extreme importance, pollinators worldwide are in decline due to threats such as pesticide poisoning, habitat loss, and disease. Agricultural practices such as monocropping, the extensive use of pesticides, and the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exacerbate these issues. Unfortunately, what once started out as an exciting way to increase food production has created unintended consequences for the very pollinators that we need for crop pollination and ecosystem health.
The loss of bee populations poses a massive risk to the agricultural system, which is why the creation of wildlife gardens is so important. As an urban farmer, you can make a difference too! By planting native plants, avoiding harmful pesticides, and creating pollinator-friendly habitats on your farm, you can contribute to the conservation of these vital creatures.
In addition to supporting agriculture, pollinators provide other important ecosystem services. Many pollinators aid in pest and disease control and provide cultural and aesthetic value. Protecting pollinators helps protect entire ecosystems. One of the best ways to do this is by planting and creating pollinator habitat.
A bee visiting Monarda fistulosa at The 6th Branch’s Broadway East Tree & Berry Farm in Baltimore Photo by: Liz Lamb
Garden for Wildlife
Farmers feed the world, and they can feed our pollinator friends too!
Native plants are the cornerstone of a healthy habitat, offering numerous ecological benefits. They provide essential food sources such as nectar, pollen, and seeds that support a wide range of pollinators and other wildlife.
Native plants also offer ideal nesting sites and cover to a variety of wildlife. These plants, adapted to local conditions, contribute to the resilience and stability of natural ecosystems.
The pollinator garden in full bloom at the Greener Garden in Baltimore. Photo by: Lindsey Walker
Meet The Bees
Maryland is home to approximately 400 species of native bees. The five common families of bees found in Maryland are: Apidae (honey bees, bumble bees, and allies), Halictidae (sweat bees), Adrenidae (miner bees), Megachilidae (leaf-cutter bees, mason bees, and allies), and Colletidae (plasterer bees).
There are an estimated 20,000 species of bees around the world Image from: The Best Bees Company.
Apidae
Apidae is the largest family of bees, and includes a combination of North American native and non-native bees. This family includes honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, and squash bees. Although most species nest in the ground, some can occasionally be coaxed into nesting in boxes on the ground.
Halictidae
Halicitdae contains some of the most colorful bees in Maryland. This family includes sweat bees, which are attracted to the salts found in human perspiration. Most nest in well-drained soil.
Andrenidae
Andrenid bees, also known as miner bees, nest in tunnels under the ground. These bees are some of the earliest to emerge in spring, and several species pollinate azaleas and fruit trees.
Megachilidae
This family includes mason bees and leaf-cutter bees. They nest in preexisting cavities such as hollow plant stems or in decaying wood. Leaving dead plant material can provide nesting sites for cavity-nesting bees.
Colletidae
Colletids are solitary bees that nest in hollow plant stems.
Benefits of Pollinators on Farms
Pollinators are integral to our food system. In fact, about 75% of North American plant species depend on insects – mostly bees – for pollination, and some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, beetles and other animals. In urban areas, providing habitat for our pollinators is crucial for maintaining habitat connectivity. When the flowers go away, the pollinators do too.
Urban parks and farms can serve as essential refuge for pollinators, offering food and shelter in city environments. By creating corridors of native pollinator habitat, we can help ensure that pollinators can move safely between gardens, find essential resources throughout the year, and maintain healthy populations.
“Most crops need pollinators. I love my domesticated bees and the awesome niche they fill in agriculture, but they can’t replace natives.”
CHARLES DEBARBER, FILBERT STREET GARDEN
Informational signage at The 6th Branch’s Oliver Community Farm in Baltimore. Photo by: Ciara O’Brien
Not only does this connectivity support pollinator health and the overall resilience of urban ecosystems, but it also opens opportunities to have these spaces recognized by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as Certified Wildlife Habitats. Urban farms and gardens can qualify for this recognition, contributing to the broader network of wildlife-friendly areas.
Some native bees are specialist pollinators for some of our favorite foods, such as squashes, pumpkins, gourds, and sunflowers. Bees can even improve the yield of self-pollinated crops that don't require an animal pollinator, like cotton, soybeans, and peppers.
Research shows that having a variety of pollinators drastically improves pollination rates. On farms, having a diverse array of pollinators also enhances crop quality and quantity. A recent study estimates that without pollinators, half of all flowering plants would suffer a decline in fertility of over 80%, while a third would not produce seeds at all. In other words, attracting native pollinators to your farm can improve and increase yields over relying solely on honey bees.
“Optimum productivity requires a healthy ecosystem to include the full variety of pollinators.”
DANIEL TROTT, AT HOME FARM, LLC.
A bumble bee enjoys an heirloom purple coneflower. Photo by: Jeff Maslin
Assessing Your Farm & Designing the Garden
Before you get started, it's a good idea to assess the existing space. The Xerces Society has several habitat assessment guides based on your landscape. The Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators in Yards, Gardens, and Parks is perfect for assessing small and urban farms. It's also a good idea to become familiar with the pollinators that already exist in your landscape. Watch for activity throughout the day and seasons; it may be helpful to keep a notebook or use iNaturalist to keep track of who visits your farm and when.
Once you’ve assessed the area, it is important to understand that the key to creating effective pollinator habitat is providing essential amenities with a focus on sustainable practices: food, water, cover, and places to raise young.
As you begin designing your wildlife garden on your farm, make sure to take different flower sizes, shapes, and bloom times into consideration to support a greater number and diversity of pollinators.
Make sure to give your pollinator pals a sufficient food supply throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons to ensure that they are well fed as they emerge from and prepare for hibernation. Plant in groupings of each plant species for an even greater impact.
Similar to plants, wildlife needs water to survive. Maintaining clean water sources such as bird baths or shallow dishes with pebbles allows pollinators to quench their thirst without risking getting fully submerged.
Providing cover in the form of densely planted shrubs, meadow or prairie gardens, or even brush piles, offers refuge from predators and extreme weather events. Additionally, offering suitable nesting sites for native bees and other pollinators, such as leaving areas of bare ground or providing bundles of hollow stems, ensures a place for pollinators to raise their young.
Selecting Native Plants
Native plants are the best choice for wildlife habitat, since they ha co-evolved with native animals and adapted to their specific environment over time. They off a plethora of benefits; depending on the plant, they may be drough tolerant, helpful for controlling erosion, or require minimal maintenance. They provide food, cover, and places to reproduce or raise young for wildlife. Their natural beauty will bring a sense of tranquility and peace to your farm, and planting native plants will rebuild the unique local ecosystem that has existed for millennia, bringing a sense of place and honoring natural regional diversity.
You can even explore planting native plants alongside heirloom vegetables and herbs to bring more pollinators to the farm; cultivated herbs that you may already be growing, such as rosemary, oregano, basil, marjoram, and borage, are also great pollinator attractors.
Although the plant lists below are specifically native to the MidAtlantic region, you can find the best native plants for your area by taking the Find Native Plants Quiz.
Native plants at The 6th Branch’s Broadway East Tree & Berry Farm in Baltimore. Photos by: Carolyn Millard
Beautifying the Farm
Without healthy native plant communities, wildlife cannot survive. Every ecoregion has different native plant communities. Beautify your farm and attract native pollinators by welcoming these species:
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta):
Hosting 20 species of caterpillars and providing sustenance for 29 pollen-specialist bee species, this golden beauty will bring a splash of warmth to your farm.
utterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa):
monarch butterfly’s haven, this plant adds a op of orange to your scenery.
Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus):
With its sunny yellow petals, this native unflower can attract up to 50 species of pollenpecialist bees and infuses your farm with a heerful ambiance.
merican asters (Symphyotrichum spp.):
anging in a variety of colors from serene blue to brant red, asters shelter a diverse array of aterpillars.
Phlox spp.:
Also available in a variety of colors, phlox beckons butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to its blooms.
ickseeds (Coreopsis spp.):
With its sunny disposition and 22 species of pollen ecialist bees in tow, Coreopsis adds a golden ow to your farm, inviting pollinators to dance mong its cheerful blooms.
White turtlehead (Chelone glabra):
ost to Maryland’s state insect the Baltimore eckerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), this unique wer adds a touch of whimsy with its turtleaped blooms, while providing essential habitat for this special butterfly.
ee balm (Monarda fistulosa):
th vibrant hues and fragrant blossoms, bee m is a beacon for specialist bees, bumble bees, d hummingbirds, infusing your farm with color d life.
ense blazing star (Liatris spicata):
anding tall and proud, dense blazing star boasts iking purple spikes that attract a plethora of llinators, from butterflies and hummingbirds to tive bees and honey bees, ensuring your farm is uzz with activity.
Companion Planting
Some crops depend on specific types of bees for pollination, and these bees have their own favorite flowers. To see which companion plants can help attract bees to pollinate your crops, take a look at these pairings:
Garden Plant
Native Pollinator
Squash, cucumber, zucchini, melon
Squash bees, bumble bees
Native Companion Plant
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), sunflower (Helianthus), tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris)
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
Bumble bees, sweat bees, mason bees
Green beans Okra
Strawberries
Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries
Almonds
Bumble bees, leafcutter bees
Digger bees, bumble bees
Sweat bees, mason bees, carpenter bees
Sweat bees, mining bees, mason bees
Bumble bees, mason bees
Coneflower (Echinacea), obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana), tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris), dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata), milkweed (Asclepias), sunflower (Helianthus), tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris), native hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), blue star (Amsonia), wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier), wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Implementation Strategies
Once you’ve designed the garden, it's time to prep the space. In the pollinator garden, it is important to implement gentle gardening practices that minimize disturbance to pollinators and their habitats. Avoid use of pesticides and concentrated synthetic fertilizers that can harm beneficial insects and disturb ecological balance. Instead, prioritize organic and sustainable gardening methods that promote soil health and ecosystem resilience.
As with farming, soil management is key. You can prioritize soil health by implementing practices such as composting and minimal tillage to improve soil structure, fertility, and microbial diversity.
Native plants provide a plethora of benefits, and they’re stunning too! Pollinator garden planting at The 6th Branch’s Broadway East Tree & Berry Farm in Baltimore Photos by: Carolyn Millard
In addition to creating and stewarding pollinator gardens, urban farmers can integrate pollinator-friendly practices with existing strategies in several ways:
Manage the use of pesticides and herbicides.
When possible, don’t use pesticides. Insects are a sign of a healthy garden, and an important food source for birds. Instead, try using organic or natural pest deterrents, such as soap, garlic, and chili pepper.
Minimize tillage
to protect pollinators that nest in the ground.
Provide safe water sources
throughout the farm.
Soil Cover
and continuous living roots should be maximized by cover cropping. Plant perennials or a series of annuals across all seasons.
Plant Native Plants
in unused areas of the farm, just as urban farming often takes advantage of unused land in cities. These plants will act as windbreakers and buffers, as well as provide food and shelter for pollinators.
Don’t be afraid of a little mess!
Keep some ground areas bare for ground nesting insects, leave perennial plant stems standing, and use fallen leaves as mulch to provide habitat.
Check with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office
to see what technical and financial support might be available to assist you in your effort to provide nectar, pollen, and other food sources for pollinators on your farm.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Provides technical and financial assistance to producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increased water volatility.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): After establishing a conservation plan with NRCS, CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): An opportunity for NRCS and partners to co-invest in impactful and innovative solutions to onfarm, watershed, and regional resource concerns.
Pollinator Habitat Maintenance & Upkeep
Although less than with food crops, managing and keeping up with your new pollinator garden involves regular maintenance and care to ensure it continues to provide optimal habitat for pollinators. Here are some key steps for managing existing pollinator gardens:
1.
Regular monitoring: Monitor plant health, pollinator activity, and any signs of pests or diseases on a regular basis. Observation is key to understanding the dynamics of the garden and addressing any issues promptly.
2.
Weeding and mulching: Keep the garden free of weeds that compete with native plants for resources and space. Mulching around plants can help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health.
3.
Watering: Provide adequate water for plants, especially during dry periods. Watering in the early morning or late evening can minimize water loss through evaporation and ensure plants have access to moisture when they need it most.
4.
Pruning and deadheading: Prune and discard any diseased or
damaged plant material. Selectively deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooming during the warm months, but leave them on the plant in the fall to provide food and shelter for birds and insects through the winter.
5. Pest and disease management: Monitor for signs of pests and diseases and take appropriate action to mitigate their impact. Consider using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, such as hand-picking pests.
6. Provide shelter: Ensure there are sheltered areas in the garden where pollinators can seek refuge from extreme weather conditions or predators. This can include dense plantings or brush piles with proper maintenance.
7. Seasonal maintenance: Adjust garden maintenance practices according to the seasons. For example, in the fall, leave flower stalks and leaf litter as overwintering habitat for beneficial insects, and in the spring, prune dead stems back to 8-24 inches as nesting habitat for native bees and to make room for new spring growth.
Community Engagement and Education
Now, it's time to get the community involved. Consider using your new pollinator garden as an educational tool to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and their role in food production. Offer guided tours, workshops, and outreach events to inspire community members to create pollinator friendly habitat in their own neighborhoods. Enlist volunteers to help maintain the garden. Educate others about the pollinators and show them how to garden for wildlife at home by installing educational signage in the garden to inform visitors about the importance of pollinators and how they can support their habitat. This can also help raise awareness and foster a sense of stewardship among garden visitors.
Additionally, other farmers want to see what you’ve been up to! Create opportunities to show off your new garden with neighboring farmers, and teach them about the benefits of pollinators for their farms too. Working with neighboring farmers and community groups to create pollinator habitat can create pollinator corridors that connect greenspaces across urban landscapes. These corridors can help facilitate the movement of pollinators between fragmented habitats.
Herbal & Medicinal Uses of Native Plants Workshop hosted at the Greener Garden, in partnership with local garden educator Teri Speight. Photo by: Danielle Wendt
CASE STUDY: BALTIMORE POLLINATORS & PRODUCE
Although the National Wildlife Federation has been doing transformative work in Baltimore for years, NWF just recently began partnering with food producers in the city. Since farmers are already knowledgeable and passionate about plants, they are the ideal partners in stewarding urban pollinator habitat. The impact of these gardens ripples through their communities, inspiring and educating along the way.
The 6th Branch, Broadway East Community Association, NWF, and Garden for Wildlife teams came together to help establish a community pollinator garden at the Broadway East Tree & Berry Farm in Baltimore
Photo by: Carolyn Millard
Baltimore stands as a shining example of strengthening pollinator corridors through urban farming. Creating Pollinator Habitat and Enhancing Food Security in Baltimore, or Pollinators & Produce for short, is a collaborative effort between the NWF and urban growers dedicated to establishing native wildlife habitats across foodproducing sites in the city. The pilot project was made possible by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Together with partners, NWF designs and installs native pollinator gardens at food-producing sites, hosts educational workshops, and offers free native plant container gardens to residents.
Pollinators & Produce is driven by a multifaceted mission: to support native birds, bees, and butterflies that aid in food production, beautify neighborhoods, increase native
wildlife diversity, and promote our local food system.
All six farms that participated in the Pollinators & Produce pilot project are located in East and Northeast Baltimore in communities identified as “disadvantaged” by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives such as Pollinators & Produce to address environmental concerns as well as issues of social equity and food justice. In many marginalized communities, access to fresh, nutritious food is limited, exacerbating health issues and perpetuating cycles of poverty. By establishing pollinator gardens in these areas, we not only enhance local biodiversity and food security, but also support resident-led initiatives to reclaim control over their food sources, promoting self-sufficiency and resilience.
“Better ecosystems are justice. We need to restore the environment for the sake of the flora and fauna, but also for people who live in those areas for their enjoyment, education, and overall wellbeing.”
LIZ LAMB, THE 6TH BRANCH
Resources and Tools
From planting day and beyond, NWF has plenty of resources to ensure a successful garden planting and maintenance routine:
Pollinator Tip Sheet: Learn more tips and facts about pollinator gardening, as well as alternatives for chemical pesticides.
Keystone Plants by Ecoregion: Interested in attracting specific plants to your farm? Check out the top keystone plant genera based on your ecoregion.
Native Plant Finder: Find the best native plants for your farm based on zip code.
Nectar Plants for Monarchs: Interested in monarchs specifically? Find plants based on your ecoregion.
Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife: The award-winning how-to book by National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski.
Additional Resources:
Bee and Pollinator Books by Heather Holm: free plant lists, fact sheets, and posters for educational use
Farming with Soil Life: A Handbook for Supporting Soil Invertebrates and Soil Health on Farms: Learn more about soil biology and ways to protect soil animals on your farm.
Suppliers for plants and materials:
Garden for Wildlife: Take the plant finder quiz to receive a plant list unique to your interests, needs, and location. Your organization can also apply to receive a donation of wildlife garden plants.
Pollinator Conservation Seed Mixes: The Xerces society partners with the native seed industry to produce Xerces-approved wildflower seed mixes that provide foraging and nesting resources for a diversity of pollinators.
Wicklein’s Native Plants: Baltimore’s local native plant nursery specializing in growing native wetland and upland grasses and perennials. Sells retail and wholesale.
Maryland Native Plant Society: Offers resources and a list of native plant nurseries throughout the state and region.
Widespread food insecurity and biodiversity loss do not have to be solved in a vacuum. By utilizing alternative, sustainable, urban agricultural practices and stewarding pollinator habitat, we can address both issues together.
“I believe that pollinator friendly practices have a direct correlation with sustainable food and the level of whole food poverty. If more people planted pollinator gardens and planted vegetables, it would be much better for the environment,” Kizzy Anderson James, Anderson James Farm & Co.
Urban farmers have a unique opportunity to make an impact on both food access and conservation efforts. Every container garden, apiary, or native wildlife garden plot plays a part in creating a healthier, more vibrant environment. By taking proactive steps to integrate pollinator-friendly practices into your farming endeavors, you’re not just growing food–you’re nurturing life.
The pollinator garden and gathering space at the 6th Branch’s Broadway East Tree & Berry Farm in Baltimore. Photo by: Liz Lamb
Scan the QR above for a full list of resources: https://linktr.ee/pollinatorsandproduce
Founded in 1936, Nation Wildlife Federation’s mission is to inspire Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. As America’s largest environmental conservation nonprofit organization with more than six million members and 52 state and territorial affiliates, National Wildlife Federation brings vast experience in advancing the protection and restoration of waterways like the Chesapeake Bay, wildlife habitats, and community landscapes.
www.nwf.org
This guide was edited and reviewed by NWF staff members David Weber, David Mizejewski, Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, and Lindsey Walker