Last year, a good portion of the vegetables in my garden produced lots of flowers but very little fruit. I started researching and learned that this could be, in part, due to a lack of pollination. Here’s 10 things that you can try if you too are having pollination problems in your garden!
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Alarming Concerns About Pollination Problems
You might have a pollination problem in your garden if the plants are growing well, have flowers, but the blossoms fall off and don’t turn to fruit. You could also have an issue with pollination if some of your plants start to produce fruit but then the plants wither and die.
What is Pollination?
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the male reproductive organs (anthers) to the female reproductive organs (stigma) of a flower, resulting in fertilization and the production of seeds. This transfer of pollen can occur either within the same flower (self-pollination) or between different flowers of the same species (cross-pollination). Pollination is essential for the reproduction of flowering plants.
Wind, water, insects, birds, and other animals can all aid in pollination. For example, bees are among the most well-known pollinators, but butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, and even some mammals like bats also play important roles in pollination.
Why Does Pollination Matter?
Pollination is essential not only for plant health but also for humans who depend on plants for food! Here are a few reasons why it is so important:
- Plant Reproduction: Pollination is essential for the reproduction plants that flower. Without pollination, many plants would not be able to produce seeds and reproduce.
- Biodiversity: Many animals depend on plants for food and shelter. They work together as a team.
- Food Production: Many crops that people eat, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, depend on pollination. Without pollinators, these crops would produce much less, leading to food shortages and higher prices.
How to Fix Pollination Problems in Your Garden
If you are having trouble with pollination in your garden, here are ten things to try to fix your pollination problems!
Choose Native Plants
One of the best ways to encourage pollinators to come to your garden is to plant native plants for your area that will provide food and shelter for native bugs and animals. You can research native plants on your own and start them from seed or go talk to your local garden center and purchase pre-started plants. Use this Native Plant Finder website to help you determine what to plant for your area.
Choose Plants that Bloom from Spring to Fall
Some plants only bloom for a short time. If you can, try to choos e flowers for your garden that will bloom all season long.
Here are a few recommendations:
- Rudbeckia
- Lavender
- Phlox
- Coneflower
- Salvia
- Catmint
- Geranium
- Daylily
- Shasta Daisy
- Russian Sage
- Lily
- Astor
- Viola
Starting flowers from seed saves so much money. You can get an entire packet of 100+ seeds for less than most garden centers sell one plant for! I like to buy my flower seeds from Botanical Interests and True Leaf Market.
Don’t Use Pesticides
Pesticides can help reduce harmful pests in your garden, but they can also hurt the ones that benefit your plants. It’s best to avoid them entirely or look for more natural options!
Some more natural options include neem oil, soap, hot peppers, vinegar, diatomaceous earth, and garlic spray. Even though these are more natural, they can still be harmful to good pollinators. Research the risks prior to using any of these natural options.
One of the best but most tedious ways to remove pests is to do it manually, such as removing squash bugs and their eggs. If you don’t have time for this, one of the natural options above or utilizing companion planting may be a good option!
Purchase Pollinators for Pollination Problems
You can purchase pollinators like ladybugs or caterpillars online to add to your garden. If you’re struggling to get pollinators to your garden, start by introducing them yourself!
Start Beekeeping
This year, we started backyard beekeeping. Although my family loves honey and beekeeping seemed liked the next step on our small homestead, my main reason for getting bees was to help with pollination in my garden.
If you want to learn about how to get started with beekeeping read this post and check out The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Beekeeping by Katie Brandt.
Provide Bird Seed and Nectar for Pollination Problems
Bees are not the only pollinators. Fill your yard with bird feeders to encourage pollinator birds to come to your garden. Hummingbirds and orioles are two common birds that are excellent pollinators! Hummingbirds love nectar (mix 4 parts water with 1 part sugar) and orioles love orange slices and grape jelly.
If you are willing to splurge, I highly recommend the Wuipet bird feeder that comes with a camera that sends close-up videos of birds right to your phone! Click here to read my review of this incredible dual-purpose bird feeder/security camera, and use my code MILLERACRES to save!
Hand Pollinate if Needed
If you are still struggling to get pollinators into your garden, you can try hand pollination. Hand pollination means manually transferring pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts.
Start by identifying flowers that need to be pollinated and ones that have pollen. Use clean fingers or a small, clean toothbrush to move the pollen to the stigma.
Use a Natural Pollinator Spray for Pollination Problems
When I figured out that I was having pollination issues with my tomatoes, I purchased a natural pollinator spray–specially designed for tomatoes–at my local garden center. These sprays encourage flowers to set and eventually produce fruit.
Plant Lots of Flowers
Instead of just planting vegetables, try planting lots of flowers in your garden! Zinnias are one of my favorites due to their ease to grow, low maintenance characteristics, and beautiful varieties.
Grow Plants in Clumps
Groups of flowers are easier for pollinators to find instead of having to go across an entire garden to find sporadic flowers. Try planting flowering plants in clumps–even if they are spaced closer than recommended–to encourage pollination.
Don’t Give Up if You Have Pollination Problems
Pollination problems can be really discouraging, but take heart! Try the above 10 tips and you should see an increase in pollinators in your garden this season.
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