With Pollinator Week coming June 16 – 23, Zerowaste Marin is highlighting how Pollination and Composting are intrinsically linked in a symbiotic relationship.
Did you know that composting is a secret weapon for supporting our precious pollinators and that one in every three bites of food you eat exists thanks to pollinators? From apples to almonds, these tiny workers make a huge impact on our plates and they can’t do it without healthy soil.
Here are 3 simple ways you can support them:
1. Plant native gardens – they provide food and shelter for local pollinators.
2. Say NO to pesticides – even “natural” ones can harm bees and butterflies.
3. Compost – it enriches soil, reduces waste, and supports healthy ecosystems.
When we compost our food scraps and yard waste, we nourish
the soil. And when the soil thrives, so do the plants and pollinators that depend on it.
Pollinators, in turn, help plants reproduce and sustain the food systems and ecosystems we rely on. Without pollinators, we lose biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience.
Together, composting and pollinator-friendly gardening creates a regenerative loop: food scraps → compost → healthy soil → thriving plants → supported pollinators → more food and habitat for all.
Healthy soil, enriched by compost, grows stronger and more vibrant plants. These robust plants produce more nectar and pollen which is the essential food sources that bees, butterflies, and other pollinators rely on!
Here’s how your compost helps:
- Nutrient-rich soil: Compost provides the vital nutrients plants need to thrive and produce abundant flowers.
- Water retention: Compost helps the soil hold moisture, keeping pollinator-friendly plants healthy even during drier periods.
- Reduced need for pesticides: Healthy plants are naturally more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for harmful chemicals that can hurt pollinators.
So, keep composting those kitchen scraps and yard waste!