Balms

Every June, we celebrate Pollinator Month—a time to recognize the incredible creatures responsible for much of the food we eat, the flowers we enjoy, and the healthy ecosystems we depend on.

When people think of pollinators, honey bees often come to mind first. While honey bees play an important role in agriculture, they are just one part of a much larger pollinator community. Native bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, beetles, and other beneficial insects all contribute to pollination and biodiversity.

Pollinators help more than 75% of flowering plants reproduce and support approximately one-third of the food we consume. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds all benefit from their work. Without pollinators, our farms, gardens, and natural landscapes would look dramatically different.

Unfortunately, pollinator populations face increasing challenges from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, disease, invasive species, and changing climate conditions. At the same time, research efforts that help scientists understand and address pollinator health are facing uncertainty. The USDA's renowned Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, which has long served as a national leader in honey bee health and disease research, is being closed as part of the broader shutdown of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Many researchers and beekeepers are concerned that losing this facility could slow progress in addressing colony losses, pests, and diseases that affect pollinators nationwide.

The good news? Everyone can help.

How to Support Pollinators Even If You Don't Keep Bees
Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers

Choose a variety of plants that bloom from spring through fall. Native plants are especially valuable because they have evolved alongside local pollinator species and provide important food and habitat. If you don't have native perennial options available, or simply want to add color and nectar sources this summer, pollinator-friendly annuals are an excellent way to support pollinators right away.

Great annual choices include:
• Zinnias
• Cosmos
• Sunflowers
• Calendula
• Nasturtiums
• Alyssum
• Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia)
• Salvia
• Verbena
• Lantana
• Gomphrena

Provide Continuous Blooms

Select plants with staggered bloom times so pollinators have access to nectar and pollen from spring through fall.

Reduce or Eliminate Pesticide Use

Many pesticides can harm pollinators directly or contaminate the pollen and nectar they rely on.

Leave Some Areas Wild

Many native bees nest in bare soil, hollow stems, or leaf litter. A small natural area can provide valuable habitat.

Add Water Sources

A shallow dish with stones or pebbles gives pollinators a safe place to land and drink.

Support Local Beekeepers and Growers

Purchasing local honey, native plants, and produce from farmers markets helps strengthen local food systems and supports pollinator-friendly practices.

Every Flower Counts

Whether you manage a large garden, grow vegetables on a balcony, or simply add a few pollinator-friendly flowers to a container, your efforts matter.

At Honey Glow, we've seen firsthand the important role pollinators play in healthy gardens, abundant harvests, and thriving communities. Pollinator Month is a reminder that small actions can have a lasting impact.

This June, take a moment to appreciate the bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators working tirelessly around us—and consider one small step you can take to support them.

Honey Glow