Pocket Gardens & Pearls
A Pocket Refuge or Garden is a small, intentional garden space. It’s all about adding plants in strategic ways, and in our case, we are strategizing to attract pollinators so you will also hear them called Pollinator Gardens.
We like to refer to each Refuge Garden as a P.E.A.R.L., or Pocket Environment Animals Really Like. They are planted with flowers, shrubs, and sedges which provide food such as nectar, pollen, and seeds for insects & birds. They provide a haven for other wildlife as well.
When planning pollinator gardens, it is important to include local, native plants. Your garden will be less work to keep alive & flourishing, as natives are best adapted to your area’s climate, growing seasons & soils. Choosing natives benefits insects, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats & birds! In fact, non-native plants may even be inedible to pollinators, or may not meet their needs.
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge is a big pearl, but the small pearls in the habitat necklace are also vital.
PLANTS
- Grow plants native to your area
- Use a mix of flower shapes and colors
- Utilize perennials, which will return and multiply year after year
- Think seasonal – sequence bloom times for a show of color throughout the spring, summer and fall
- Use double duty plants, those that will host a combination of larva, pollinators & birds
- Check labels to be sure your plants are neonicotinoid-free (not treated with pesticides that are harmful to bees and other pollinators)
WATER
- Shallow pans are best, moving water, drippers
- It’s important to keep water clean
SHELTER
- Nest boxes
- Evergreens
- Brush piles help overwintering bugs. Use your discarded Christmas tree for easy winter shelter
NO “ALANS”
- No Artifical Lights At Night! Turn your outside lights off.
- Prevent window strikes by using eco-tape
- Monitor for bird predators, including cats
RESOURCES
fws.gov/story/highlighting-importance-pollinators From this page, there are lots of links to USFWS pages about pollinators and planting for pollinators, including a list of the Top Plants for Midwest Pollinator Gardens
illinoisplants.org: View or Download a simple, direct, presentation with an overview of who-what-why grow a pollinator garden
illinoispollinators.org: Wow, this site has it all! View what plants to choose by soil type, month they are flowering, color, and size.
extension.illinois.edu: Features a downloadable plant guide and tips for your pollinator garden
smallwaters.org: Small Waters Education is our local expert non-profit here in Harvard, IL. They partner with Friends of Hackmatack NWR to create pollinator gardens, work with local schools and other groups, and plant & help to maintain pollinator habitat gardens.
dnr.illinois.gov: View or Download a design guide full of helpful information from the Illinois DNR.
extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/pollinator-pockets The University of Illinois has information on creating “Pollinator Pockets.”
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/pollinators/ The University of Wisconsin-Madison has great information on pollinators, as well as additional resources.
nps.gov/articles/000/idkt-planting-for-pollinators Read about the importance of using native plants for pollinators. They also link to Ecoregional Planting Guide Cards.
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee USFWS puts out a great fact sheet on this important endangered species. And it has been spotted on Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge!
Friends of Hackmatack NWR
P.O. Box 413
Richmond, IL 60071
friendsofhackmatacknwr@gmail.com
Call 262-448-3558 to listen for the latest updates on upcoming activities. If you need to reach us, please leave a message and we will return your call.
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