Help the pollinators in your garden and get a bigger harvest

Destruction of pollinators' habitats, monocultures (large areas where only one type of plant is grown), plant and insecticides, climate change, and even light pollution (that is all the world's lamps) are causes of the decline in insect numbers. In a hundred years, researchers believe they may be completely extinct if the problems persist, and already about forty percent of Europe's insects are endangered. Fortunately, there are things we can do to help – and most of it is actually both simple and fun.

The most important thing when it comes to taking care of bumblebees, bees, butterflies, flies, and beetles is to plant and cultivate many different types of plants and flowers – insects of different kinds like different things. Plant pollen and nectar-rich untreated species with a strong scent. Both colors and shapes should be varied as different insects have different mouthparts and tastes. For example, a bee or a bumblebee with a long proboscis would like to have deep flowers like vetch, broad beans, and clover. Day butterflies prefer nectar-rich flowers that are towards purple or red, such as buddleja, verbena bonariensis, cone flowers, and lavender.,,Flies are also a group that should not be forgotten, they like among other things yarrow, flowering carrot, and marigold. Marigold is also a good attraction flower for wild bees – in studies, it has been shown that 70 percent chose marigolds over other flowers. Regardless of which flowers you choose, they should preferably be in a sheltered and sunny location.,,Planting and cultivating diversity does not mean that the beds have to become a mess – you can still plant flowers in groups, making it easier for pollinators to find their favorite. Creating a flower meadow is also good, as these have decreased significantly in the last century. Some pollinators are specialized in meadow flowers and cannot survive without them.

Cultivate diversity, the more different varieties of flowers in different colors and shapes the better. Plant both deep and shorter flowers, preferably old-fashioned untreated varieties that are fragrant. Avoid double, treated flowers - most insects have difficulty getting into them.,,Grow organically and do not use pesticides, even if they do not kill them immediately, they can destroy the insects' reproductive capacity or their ability to locate themselves.,,Provide water in a drowning-proof container (e.g. with gravel). Place it near the flower beds.,,Assist with insect shelters and egg-laying sites, you can build them yourself or buy pre-made ones. A weed corner, a sand pile, an old tree or a pile of old branches also make good habitats.,,Ensure there are flowering plants from early spring to late autumn, in spring there can for example be crocuses and bulb plants, and in autumn marigolds, asters, and giant verbena.,,Turn off the lights. Consider whether you really need outdoor night lighting as many nocturnal insects wander around until they collapse.

A bowl of water is always popular on hot days, but make sure it is not so deep that they drown, for example, add gravel to the bowl. Place it near the flowers. Also, an insect hotel, a pile of sand for the sand bees, a butterfly house, or a bumblebee box are things that attract pollinators to your garden. Many insects also appreciate decayed, old trees, a pile of branches, or a corner with weeds. Nettles are often a place where butterflies lay eggs.

Make sure that the pollinators have blooming bulbs to welcome them when they wake up hungry from hibernation, and that some flowers bloom all season long, well into late autumn. Many insects are preparing for hibernation and need extra energy. Late blooming plants include aster, giant verbena, and buttercup.

Turn off the outdoor lights at night - many insects, such as moths, navigate by the moon and become confused by the light, causing them to become exhausted and fall down and die after a few hours of wandering in the light. In Germany alone, it is believed that car lights have caused 100 billion deaths every summer. Darkness is naturally relaxing for both us and pollinators. And whatever you do, don't forget the most beautiful thing - studying insects from the sunbed in the summer, because each little creature is more unique than we think.

Beer, willow, clover, borage, lavender, sage, marigold, cornflower, blackberries, apple, bees, vetch, clover, bird's foot trefoil, beans and peas, spotted medic, butterflies, purple loosestrife, thyme, honeysuckle, red thistles, bergamot, lavender

Liselotte Roll, Swedish garden inspirator, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Jord", "Odla för insekter" and "Höns som hobby".