Quick Guide: How to create community pollinator areas

It is a common misconception that seeded wildflower meadows of bright blue, red, yellow and all the colours of the rainbow are the ideal habitat for our pollinators. In fact, the ideal pollinator area contains the wildflowers that we try so hard to keep off our lawns. The below simples steps show how communities can create a cheap, easy and attractive area that our native pollinators will love.

This article is adapted from the National Biodiversity Data Centre's Local Communities document which is available to download here.

Action #1 - Protect existing areas that are good for pollinators

Simply leave these be! Flowering hedgerows (food), wildflowers on waste ground, ivy & brambles (food), earth banks & dry stone walls (Shelter)

Action #2 - Reduce mowing to create a wildflower area

No purchase of wildflower seeds needed! Follow these steps to have a natural wildflower meadow for the pollinator season.

1. Identify and agree an area with your resident's committee / neighbours.

2. Don't cut the grass until April to allow the first flush of dandelions.

3. Don't cut the grass all summer - cut paths & edging to allow people enjoy the area.

4. Cut the area in early September & remove the cuttings to reduce soil fertility. This thins the grass and helps propagate wildflowers over time.

Activity for kids - Let them collect the wildflower seeds when cutting and sow in trays be added to the meadow in Spring & Autumn.

Action #3 - Create a "6 week meadow"

Identify areas of grass that could be cut on a 6-weekly rotation to allow Clovers and Bird’s-foot-trefoil to flower. This will provide food for pollinators where shortly mown grass does not. Such areas could be beside areas of shortly mown grass, a path or a meadow.

Action #4 - Let Dandelions Bloom

Identify areas that will be mown under existing regimes, but aim to carry out the first grass cut of the year in April after the first flush of Dandelions, but before they set seed. Dandelions are a vital food source for bees in spring.

Action #5 - Clover Lawn

Identify small areas where grass could be entirely replaced with a permanent clover mix. Red and white clovers will provide colour, and are a very important food source for bees.

Action #6 - Create New Hedgerows

Creating new hedgerows provides habitats and food sources for pollinators. Only use native shrubs such as Willows, Blackthorn, Whitethorn, Wild Rose, Hazel, Bramble and ivy.

Action #7 - Create Earthbanks for Pollinators

Using a spade, you can create and maintain earth banks for mining solitary bees where natural ridges / banks occur. This is the best and most cost effective way to create nesting habitat for solitary bees. Once established, they should be maintained by manual scraping back to bare soil on an annual basis.

Action #8 - Nesting Areas for Pollinators

Where wooden fencing exists, you can drill small south or east facing holes approx. 10cm in depth and 4-8mm diameter. A range of different diameters is best, ideally at a height of 1.5-2m.

Action #9 - Eliminate Pesticides & Herbicides

Identify some areas where the use of pesticides could be eliminated. This could be areas where your group is willing to take responsibility for manual weed control. Most herbicide use is along edging or tree bases that mowers can’t access. Identify areas of south facing edging that could not be sprayed to provide solitary bee nesting habitat.

Action #10 - Put up Signage & Encourage Others!

Put up signage explaining the importance of pollinators and what is being done locally to support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Tell your neighbours and friends and encourage them to get involved.

For more information on the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and how you can play your part visit https://pollinators.ie/