When it comes to establishing CRP, purchasing the right seed mix is very important. This is especially true for pollinator habitat. Not only do you need the seed to germinate, but it needs to attract pollinators once it’s grown.
To accomplish both of these goals, you need to select a quality CRP pollinator seed mix. What makes a good pollinator mix? There are a few factors to consider.
Local Ecotype
As with all CRP seed, pollinator seed mixes must be made up of native vegetation. Native plants contain a local ecotype, which means they’re biologically adapted to thrive in the region where you live. In the same way native plants have adapted to your soil and weather conditions, native pollinators have adapted to those plants.
The wrong pollinator seed can fail to attract pollinators or even cause harm to them. Local ecotype ensures that native pollinators get the resources they need to thrive.
Promoting Pollinator Diversity
Seed diversity plays an integral role in establishing pollinator habitat. You need to ensure that there are plants in bloom throughout the year. There are three different bloom periods that must be accounted for: April – May, June – July, and August – October.
At least three different species should be included for each, though more is typically better. Additionally, you need to account for the variety of pollinators in your area. Promoting diverse pollinator habitat is one of the leading recommendations for combatting the world’s pollinator shortage.
To do so, you’ll need to understand the preferences of each pollinator, such as color.
You’ve likely noticed that pollinator areas tend to feature a variety of vibrant colors. This isn’t just so they look nice. Color actually plays an important role in attracting pollinators. Brightly colored flowers stand out from the surrounding vegetation, attracting pollinators as they fly by.
Different pollinators are attracted to different colors, so diversity in colors is important. For example, bees cannot see red. Birds, however, can. Strategically choosing wildflower colors will help maximize pollinator diversity.
Ultimately, you should have at least three different types of colors per bloom period.
Quality Pollinator Seed Mixes Ready for Purchase
At All Native Seed, we have a variety of high-quality pollinator seed mixes specifically created for many CRP states. All of our seed is reprocessed for enhanced purity and tested for pigweed such as Palmer amaranth. This allows our seed to achieve the highest germination rate possible and free of unwanted species.
If you prefer to create your own pollinator seed mix, we offer that as well. Simply choose from our selection of NRCS seed here or provide us with your information, and we can help you decide.
Whatever you purchase from ANS, you can expect the same customer-driven experience. Our staff is comprised of CRP experts ready to answer any questions you might have. All seed purchased from ANS includes the necessary tags and paperwork for easy USDA reimbursement.