Building your foundation

These resources provide a strong foundation. Learn why pollinator habitat matters, explore different project types, and gain an understanding of how native plants support Minnesota’s pollinators.

• MN BWSR Planting for Pollinators Handbook – A comprehensive guide covering pollinator needs, planting design, project types, plant selection, installation, and long-term maintenance.
• MN DNR Landscaping with Native Plants – An introduction to using native plants in home landscapes, including the ecological benefits of native plantings and tips for getting started.
• Rethinking Lawns Guide – Explore why pollinator-friendly lawn alternatives matter and discover habitat options that align with your goals, budget, and maintenance capacity.

Planning your project site

Before you begin preparing the ground, take time to evaluate your space and define your goals. These resources can help you choose a project location, understand site conditions, and plan a habitat that will thrive in your landscape.

• MN BWSR Pollinator Toolbox – Step-by-step guidance for planning, installing, and managing pollinator habitat, including considerations for selecting the best project site.
• UMN Extension: Planting and Maintaining a Prairie Garden – Learn about prairie ecosystems, site selection considerations, and best practices for establishing a prairie-style planting.

Choosing a Site Preparation Method

Good site preparation helps reduce weed pressure and gives your new planting the best chance of success. Different methods work best for different situations, timelines, and project sizes. Explore the options below to determine the right approach for your project.

• Lawns to Legumes: A Quick Guide to Site Preparation – Compare common site preparation methods, including manual sod removal, sheet mulching, and solarization, with pros and cons for each approach.
• Xerces Society: Site Preparation for Pollinator Habitat – A detailed guide covering a variety of site preparation approaches for different project goals and site conditions.
• Plastic Installation – Smothering Existing Vegetation – A Shoreview Natives video tutorial demonstrating solarization and smothering techniques for site preparation.
• The Lasagna Method – Step-by-step sheet mulching instructions from a Hennepin County Master Gardener.

Managing weeds and protecting soil

Good site preparation doesn’t end once existing vegetation is removed. Mulch and other soil-covering strategies can help suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and create better conditions for your new planting to establish successfully.

• Mulch and Soil Health Clip from Blue Thumb Planting for Pollinators Workshop – Jennifer Ehlert from Metro Blooms Design+Build shares about soil health and mulching practices for native plant pollinator gardens.
• Green Mulches – Keeping your Weeds Suppressed and Soil Protected – Explore the concept of living mulches and how native plants can help reduce weed pressure while providing ecological benefits.
• Mulching Techniques for Native Gardens – Learn how mulch can suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and support healthy soil during habitat establishment.

Native Plant Identification

Native plants are the foundation of pollinator habitat. Learning to recognize the plants growing around you can help you discover new species, build confidence in your plant selections, and better understand local ecosystems.

• Identifying Native Plants (Blue Thumb Blog Post) – Learn practical techniques for identifying native plants, including recommended websites and apps.
• Minnesota Wildflowers – One of Minnesota’s most comprehensive native plant identification resources, featuring photos, bloom times, habitat information, and searchable plant profiles.
• Blue Thumb Pant Finder – Search for Minnesota native plants by bloom time, sun exposure, soil moisture, height, flower color, and more to help plan future habitat projects.

Pollinator Identification & Bee Resources

Minnesota is home to hundreds of bee species, along with countless butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, and other pollinators. These resources can help you learn who’s visiting your garden and why they matter.

• University of Minnesota Bee Lab – Explore educational resources, research, and outreach programs focused on Minnesota’s native bees and pollinators.
• UMN Bee Lab Guide to Native Bees – Learn to recognize common groups of Minnesota native bees, understand their nesting habits, and discover the important roles they play in local ecosystems.
• UMN Bee Squad – Access educational materials and learn how community members across Minnesota are helping share pollinator knowledge through outreach and education.
• Minnesota Native Bees – An online field guide dedicated to understanding, appreciating, and conserving Minnesota’s diverse native bee species.

Community Science and Observation

Observing and documenting the plants and animals around you is a great way to build identification skills while contributing to scientific research.

• iNaturalist — Photograph plants, insects, birds, and other organisms and receive identification help, and contribute to community science.
• Help Collect Data — Learn from the UMN Bee Lab how you can participate in community science projects and contribute pollinator observations to ongoing research efforts.
• Xerces Society Pollinator Habitat Evaluation Form — Evaluate existing habitat and identify opportunities to improve resources for pollinators in your yard or community.

Indigenous Perspectives on Plants

Native plants have long been valued not only for their ecological importance, but also for their cultural, medicinal, and spiritual significance. These resources offer opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives and relationships with the natural world.

• Wakan Tipi – Gifts of the Plant Nation Playlist — Explore a series of videos highlighting Indigenous knowledge, cultural teachings, and relationships with native plants and the ecosystems they support.
• Restoring and Celebrating Indigenous Plants (Owámniyomni Okhódayapi) – Learn about efforts to restore Indigenous plant relatives and the cultural significance of native plants in Dakota and Anishinaabe communities.

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