Rewilding the front lawn: bee-friendly gardens
Throughout the 1940s, Americans adopted what eventually became the stereotypical vision of suburban living in the United States. The white picket fence and manicured green lawn were the goals of homeowners, creating an allure of the perfect family.
Based on results from the 2023 National Gardening Survey, that imagery may be a thing of the past as homeowners opt for a more natural landscape. The survey found that more than 31 million adults are creating landscapes for wildflowers and other foliage. National Wildlife Federation's head of native plant habitat strategy, Mary Phillips, supports the shift away from the classic idea of a lawn to create more diverse and sustainable environments.
Homeowners have a real and unique opportunity to benefit the ecosystem around them, especially the delicate bee population. Converting lawns into wildlife habitats can combat the pitfalls of non-native grasses and plant life, such as higher water consumption and emitting toxins, which can negatively impact bee communities. Knowing what to swap out and which plants can help the habitat thrive is key.
If you have any experience gardening, you know just how delicate an ecosystem can be. Even something as common as a neighborhood lawn can lose its luster and turn sour if not cared for properly. Lawn conversions, especially those done for bee-friendly gardens, start with understanding the climate in which your lawn lives and thrives and how to adjust your lawn care schedule around seasonal changes.
Sprawling green lawns are quite common in the United States, encompassing over 24 million acres of land. “No-Mow May” is one campaign designed to help lawns bloom. The National Wildlife Federation notes, though, it's not ideal for all ecosystems. Homeowners must balance allowing their lawns to flourish to cater to local plant life while not benefiting invasive species, which can enjoy unimpeded growth when not regularly mowed.
Get to know your grass and understand the optimal lengths to avoid killing your lawn or creating an overgrown, unfriendly environment for bees. Don't remove common pollinators when weeding, as they're most beneficial for the bee population. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation offers an extensive state-by-state list of plants and weeds beneficial for local bee colonies.
When promoting a bee-friendly garden, you'll need to limit insecticides, which can eradicate entire colonies. Insecticides can be transported from worker bees to the nest, affecting larvae or further spreading the chemical. Even if the insecticide isn't immediately deadly, it can alter a bee's navigation skills, making it difficult to return to the nest.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, native plants are crucial to any garden. More than just an attractive addition to landscaping, they're more likely to attract pollinators that aid in pollination during the difficult transition into winter. As more homeowners understand the role native plants play, the federation believes that homeowners will show a growing interest in using them in lawn conversions.
When starting a conversion, it's best to start small. Choose a manageable swatch of land and use that as the start of sustainable landscaping. Attempting a full-lawn conversion, whether opting for wildflowers or grass, takes a lot of effort and can be taxing, especially if this is a new concept.
Even a small patch of native plants is a step toward an eco-friendly yard, especially if you utilize sustainable fertilization methods. When trimming grass or plants, leave the excess on the ground to be reabsorbed into the earth. Grass trimmings, especially longer cuts, can provide the garden with phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium to facilitate growth.
None of this is to say you should shun non-native plants completely. In a 2020 study on native and non-native pollinator-friendly plants, researchers determined that even non-native plants can have their place in gardens. However, they need to be added only when complementing native pollinator-friendly plants. Carefully introducing these plants can attract different types of bees, which may help the ecosystem flourish.
Sustainable, bee-friendly lawns and gardens benefit the environment by creating a stable ecosystem for fauna and flora to survive. When rewilding your lawn, it is important to look beyond the visual aesthetics. Native plants may not look as good as exotic imports, but they can promote a healthier ecosystem.
When deciding on native plants, consider those that are flood- and drought-resistant. These hardier plants can withstand extreme weather events and are often less expensive to upkeep. Their resilience often means they'll survive year-round, offering benefits through seasonal changes.
As more homeowners recognize the benefits of rewilding over-manicured lawns, the local ecosystem has a greater chance of blossoming. Bees are an essential part of an ecosystem's health, and switching to native plants promotes bee activity within your garden.
