Recently, more and more people are embracing eco-friendly lawns and gardens.  Some are mowing less and tolerating old foes like dandelions and clover. Still others are trying to replace lawns, entirely or bit by bit, with garden beds including pollinator-friendly plants. By creating new habitat for pollinators and insects, these sanctuaries conserve water, reduce chemical and pesticide use and beautify our landscapes. As you prepare to establish a sanctuary with native pollinator-friendly plants, here are some things to consider.

The first step in planning a pollinator sanctuary is to find suitable ground.  Choose a location that receives several hours of sunlight daily. However, a shaded area can be used, as well, with the appropriate plants.  Start small but plan for future expansions as well. Plan for areas that have access to a water source from rainfall or irrigation.  Prioritizing native plants which are well-adapted to your area will reduce the need for supplemental water once established. Make sure to work with your church council, property planning team or creation care team early on for approval of designated areas.  Let them know you will commit to pollinator friendly practices on your church grounds, such as no pesticides or herbicides.  Determine a budget which includes soil preparation and purchasing seeds or plants and include these in any presentations.

Determine what soil preparation is needed.  Will you be using an existing flower garden or converting an existing grass lawn?  Research options for converting lawns such as using biodegradable landscape fabric, removing grass and adding nutrient rich compost or simply planting and mulching.  Each option has its positive and negative benefits such as labor and materials costs.  Recruit volunteers who are willing to help prepare the soil to determine your most effective plan. 

Next, identify local, native plants that bloom throughout the growing season for your area.  Native plant nurseries or local experts, such as Cooperative Extension Services, can make recommendations on plants suited to your region. Plan to plant flowers in groups of three or four of the same species with plants spaced a foot to a foot and a half apart. Knowing your ground area and plant spacing, you can then determine how many plants are needed for initial planting.  Include a variety of flower colors, shapes and heights.  Choose plants of varying height with taller plants in back so as to not shade out shorter plants.  Plan for pathways between flower groups so that you can easily walk through your plot as weeding will probably be needed for a couple of years. Recruit volunteers who are willing to help plant the native seedlings and for future weeding.  Once established, native plants will save time and money by reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides and water.

By appropriately planning out your plot, preparing the soil and selecting the proper native plants, your pollinator sanctuary will have low maintenance and low cost in the future.