Creating a Pollinator Paradise: Simple Ways to Support Bees, Butterflies & Beyond

At Swift Acres, we talk a lot about bees—our busy little workers who keep the farm buzzing (and the honey flowing). But bees aren’t the only pollinators that help our ecosystem thrive. Butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, beetles, and even some flies play a role in helping plants grow, bloom, and produce. These unsung heroes are essential to food production, biodiversity, and the beauty of our gardens.

As homesteaders and nature lovers, we have a unique opportunity to create little pockets of refuge for these helpful creatures. And the best part? You don’t need acres of land or a big budget to do it. With a few thoughtful changes, anyone can create a pollinator-friendly space, whether you’re in the middle of the country or nestled in a town lot.

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators are responsible for fertilizing over 75% of flowering plants, including more than a third of the food we eat. Without them, our gardens would look very different—and our diets would be a lot less colorful and nutritious.

But pollinators are in trouble. Habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change are all contributing to population declines. That’s where we come in. Every backyard, farmstand, or windowsill garden can become a haven for pollinators with a little care and intention.

5 Easy Ways to Support Pollinators This Spring

1. Plant with Purpose

Choose a variety of native flowering plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season. Pollinators need a steady supply of nectar and pollen from early spring to late fall.

Some of our spring favorites include:

• Bee balm

• Echinacea

• Wild bergamot

• Lupins

• Chives and thyme when they flower

Bonus: Let your herbs flower! Bees love thyme, oregano, and mint when they’re in bloom.

2. Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides

This one’s simple but important. Even “natural” sprays can harm pollinators. If you must use pest control, apply it early in the morning or late evening when pollinators are less active, and choose products that are bee-safe.

3. Leave a Little Wild

A manicured yard might be neat, but pollinators love a bit of mess. Leave a patch of wildflowers, let dandelions bloom in the spring, or skip mowing a section of your lawn. Even a small brush pile or log can provide essential shelter and nesting sites.

4. Provide Safe Water Sources

Just like us, pollinators get thirsty! But they can’t land in a big bird bath or puddle without risk of drowning. Here’s a super simple DIY to create a pollinator-friendly spring water source:

DIY: Pebble Pollinator Water Station

You’ll Need:

• A shallow dish or pie pan

• Small pebbles or river stones

• Fresh water

Instructions:

1. Place the stones in the bottom of your dish. They should stick out above the water level to give pollinators a safe place to land.

2. Fill the dish with just enough water so the tops of the pebbles remain dry.

3. Place your water station in a sunny, sheltered spot in your garden. Near flowers is even better.

4. Check it regularly and refill with clean water every couple of days, especially in hot weather.

This simple setup can help honey bees, native bees, butterflies, and other insects stay hydrated and healthy.

5. Add Habitat for Native Bees

Not all bees live in hives! Many native bees are solitary and nest in small holes in the ground or in hollow stems. You can help by:

• Leaving patches of bare soil

• Avoiding landscape fabric or heavy mulching everywhere

• Leaving stems standing through winter and cutting them back in spring

If you’re feeling crafty, you can even build or buy a bee hotel (just make sure it’s well-ventilated and cleaned yearly to avoid spreading disease).

Around the Farm

Spring is waking everything up here at Swift Acres. The bees are slowly beginning to stretch their wings, venturing out on those warmer days in search of nectar and pollen. You can almost feel their excitement (I get it—after a long winter, I’m eager to get outside too).

The first little pops of green are pushing through the soil, the trees are budding, and our goats—round and content—are getting ready to bring new life to the barn. It’s that magical, hopeful season where everything feels possible.

In the midst of it all, we’ve been working behind the scenes on something special—a few new beeswax creations made with the same care and intention as everything we offer. We recently introduced hand-rolled beeswax candles, made right here on the farm with pure beeswax. They’re simple, beautiful, and full of old-fashioned charm—just the way we like it.

Coming Up Next…

Next month, I’ll be sharing a look into our beeswax candle-making process and showing you how to make your own hand-rolled candles at home. Until then, I hope you’ll take a moment to step outside, watch the world wake up, and maybe even spot a honeybee or two.

With warmth from the farm,

Marci Swift | Swift Acres Apiary & Farm