1. Add plants that attract beneficial insects around or inside your food-growing areas, for pollination and natural pest control
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Attributes |
| Umbelliferae Family | Dill, Bronze Fennel, Parsley, Cilantro, etc. | The easy-access nectar in their flat, wide flowers attracts bees, lady beetles, soldier beetles, and lacewings. |
| Asteracea Family | Yarrow, Blanket Flower, Fall Aster, Black-Eyed Susan, Calendula, Marigold, Cosmos | Another wide, flat flower that attracts many species of butterflies, skippers, and syrphid flies, as well as all the insects listed above. These top 2 are "must have" families for attracting beneficial insects. |
| Lamiaceae Family | Oregano, Marjoram, Mint, etc. | Nectar feeds bees and butterflies (always grow mint in a container) |
| Brassicacea Family | Sweet Alyssum, Candytuft, Mustard, etc. | Nectar feeds bees, butterflies, and lady beetles |
All the plants listed above are low water use once established.
Plants in Bold indicate that this plant has at least one species native to Western Washington.
Plants underlined indicate plants that also are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Dill
Resources for Learning More
- Beneficial Insect Guide
- Insect identification
- IPMopedia Benefcial Insect Factsheets
- The Garden Hotline: 206-633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org
2. Plant wind-pollinated crops like corn in a block of several adjacent rows rather than one or two long rows.
Corn pollen is carried by the wind from the tassels down to the silks and onto the tips of the ears. Incomplete pollination will result in poorly developed ears with missing rows, or sections of missing kernels.
3.How you water makes a big difference in pollination.
Avoid splashing water into flowers while hand watering or using sprinklers, which can wash away all the pollen before insects can transfer it. Plants that hold their blossoms close to the ground are most vulnerable, such as squash, melon, and pumpkin. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses help preserve pollen as well as conserving the water you use in your garden.
All photos on this page are the property of Emily Bishton
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