Creating a Pollinator Patch

Creating a Pollinator Patch

As summer is drawing to a close there is still a lot we can do to support pollinators over winter. Autumn is the perfect time to start planting your pollinator patches, as the weather gets wetter the ground is ideal for the seeds.  To start your pollinator patch you need a dedicated patch of ground, whether that’s in a lawn, window box, pot or flower bed, any size will do. You can purchase a Jersey wildflower mix from Normans suitable for urban areas, gardens and schools.

Follow these steps:

1.         Dig over the soil with a fork or spade breaking up any large clumps and removing any weeds or large stones.

2.         Ideally, leave your prepared soil for about two weeks so any dormant weeds or grasses that come to life can be removed before you sow your seeds.

3.         Scatter your wildflower seeds over the soil by hand - a little at a time for an even spread. Top tip: to make spreading easier, mix seeds with a small amount of dry play sand so you can see where you've sown them.

4.         Rake the soil again - gently - to just cover the seeds with a very thin layer (1mm) of fine crumbly soil. Seeds need sunlight, so be careful not to bury them too deep or they won't grow

5.         Very gently, water the whole area using a watering can, taking care not to wash your seeds away.

6.         Label the area with your plant markers (you could make your own!) and don’t forget to include the sowing date.

After sowing the seeds you’ll need to water your patch twice a week. To protect wildflowers already growing in the countryside from cross-pollination with the flowers in your seed kit, please make sure that you don’t sow seeds in or near open countryside or near nature reserves. 

Once you’ve planted your pollinator patch you can add it to the Channel Island Map your pollinator friendly areas at: https://pollinatorproject.gg/map-your-pollinator-friendly-area/

 

pollinator patch
Author
Sarah Maguire