One third of our bee species are threatened with extinction in Ireland.

During a recent visit to the Maynooth Tidy Towns committee we spoke to some community gardeners who are promoting the cause of pollinators.

At this time of year people are itching to get out into their gardens and begin planting for the summer.

With a little extra forethought and planning we can help Mother Nature feed these industrious creatures.

Why not help out our little buzzing friends while we are preparing the garden this spring?

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is about all of us, from farmers to local authorities, to schools, gardeners and businesses, coming together to try to create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive. Full information can be found on the Biodiversity Ireland website, click here.

10 Ways to help pollinators in your garden!

• Let Dandelions Bloom – Dandelions provide vital food for hungry bees in spring.
• Pollinator Friendly Mowing – Mow every 6 weeks from mid-April to allow flowers like clover to grow and provide food.
• Pollinator Friendly Bulbs – Plant Crocus, Allium or Snowdrop bulbs. The provide better food than Daffodils and Tulips.
• Pollinator Friendly Plants – Begonias, Petunias and Busy Lizzies don’t provide food for pollinators. Find alternatives, e.g. Calamintha nepeta.
• Plant Native Flowering Trees – Willow, Hawthorn and Blackthorn flowers provide important food for pollinators.
• Don’t Spray – The overuse of herbicides is making it difficult for pollinators to find enough flowers to feed from.
• Bare Soil for Nesting – Most of our bees need bare soil to nest. Create a small south-facing earth bank to provide shelter.
• Put Up Signage – Inform the public where land is being managed for poliinators.
• Junior Pollinator Plan – Download the Junior Plan from Biodiversity Ireland click here and help educate the next generation.
• Actions for Pollinators – Log your ‘Action for Pollinators’ click here. Help track the build-up of resources in the landscape.