Tips For Creating a Pollinator Garden in Portland, OR

While many households across the country are moving away from the traditional grass lawn that we have traditionally used for many years even in places where geographically, keeping a grass lawn green might not be easy to do. One thing we can all do to protect our pollinator species who are vital to our food health is to make an effort to dedicate all or part of our garden to our Oregon pollinator friends. Check out this OJ blog about establishing a pollinator friendly garden and what you might need to consider.

1)      First Things First: If You Have an HOA

For our homeowners who belong to an HOA, make sure any methods alternative to a traditional grass lawn are approved by all the right people. This will avoid you some major headache in the future, having to undo hard work that ends up not being allowed.

2)      Say No to Pesticides

While it might take extra elbow grease to pull weeds or manage them in a way that remains pleasing to the eye, it’s so much better for our pollinator friends than using pesticides. Even organic pesticides can hurt bees, so if you absolutely have to manage a pest issue with pesticides consult a local nursery on the safest way.

3)      Flower Power

You can transform your yard space into a beautiful pollinator sanctuary with curb appeal by allowing native flowers like showy milkweed, common camas, meadow checkermellow and Oregon iris.

4)      You Don’t HAVE to Give Up Grass

If you’re really tied to your grass lawn, or your HOA is not with the idea of a wildflower lawn, ask if you can have a grass lawn, but something that’s a little better for the pollinators and the environment. Try something like roemer’s fescue, tufted hairgrass, or toad rush. You can also mix these with wildflower seeds to add some variety.