Encouraging Pollination During Winter

Q & A
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1

This winter how can I encourage pollination in my garden?

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Pollinators create a healthy ecosystem. During winter many Pollinators are less active making it challenging to Encourage pollination. However, you can take several steps to attract and support pollinators that remain active during winter. Here are some tips to follow:

  1. Winter blooming Plants: Grow plants which provide nectar and pollen during winter like jasmine, snowdrops, rosemary, thyme and mahonia. Choose native plants that support local pollinators.

  2. Provide Shelter for Pollinators: Build bee hotels or bird houses. leave hollow stems and logs for solitary bees. Allow some garden areas to remain wild for Overwintering insects.

  3. Provide Artificial Nectar Sources: Place shallow dishes of sugar water for bees. Refresh regularly and avoid placing them near shady and cold areas.

  4. Create Sunny Spots: Create sunny areas in the garden where pollinators can warm themselves. Place flat stones or logs in sunny spots for bees and butterflies to bask.

  5. Provide Water Sources: Use shallow dishes with pebbles or moss and fill them with fresh water for insect.

  6. Avoid Disturbing Hibernating Pollinators: Avoid disturbing areas with leaf piles, log and soil because some pollinators like bumblebee queens and butterflies hibernate there.

  7. Creating Microclimate: Raised your garden beds to have more air and sunlight. Use cold frames or sheltered garden to create slightly warmer microclimates where plants and insects can thrive.

2

Could you suggest some good hand pollination techniques for terrace Gardens.

3

There are some hand pollination techniques you can apply to make sure your terrace garden plants are well pollinated. First thing you need is a paintbrush, use it to brush up some of the pollen from the male flower and transfer it to the pistil on a female flower. You can pick the male flower and wave pollen right into the female. You can also Pollinate plants by giving a shake to branch of flowers. I hope this helps you!