Welcome to The Buzz, your go-to pollinator conservation podcast. I'm April Johnson, the NDSU Extension Pollinator Technician, and in today's episode, we're looking at easy ways to integrate and optimize pollinator habitat in urban gardens. 

This podcast is supported in part by the USDA, NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management - Extension Implementation Program, award number 2021-70006-35330. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA. 

Studies have shown that pollinator visitations increase fruit size and overall yield even in open-pollinated plants like tomatoes. As maximizing yield is one of the primary goals of vegetable gardens, and flower gardens in which seed-saving is practiced, attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects should be on every gardener s to-do list. 

There are a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs which fall under the umbrella of  urban gardening  but one common theme is limited space. City lots are usually no larger than   acre, minus the footprint of the house. Many urban gardeners live in apartments where outdoor spaces are shared with neighbors or limited to a patio or balcony. Even with such challenges, there are ways to incorporate pollinator conservation in a small growing space without compromising abundance or aesthetic appeal.

Start by selecting native plants adapted to the northern plains' climate. These plants are tailor-made for local conditions, offering food and habitat for native pollinators. Native species require less water, fertilizer, and attention than non-natives, and they have evolved to perfectly suit the needs of local pollinators. They are your best choice for maximum pollinator conservation support. Incorporate at least three plants that bloom at different times of the growing season, ensuring that you are attracting and supporting pollinators from spring to fall.

Containers and raised beds are great options for increasing gardening space, but they each have benefits and challenges. Container gardening requires more water as pots tend to dry out quickly. Use weed-free mulch to cover bare soil, which will reduce weed impact, restrict water evaporation, and help keep roots cool. Perennial pollinator plants such as Echinacea, Liatris, or Rudbeckia, can be grown in containers or raised beds which are at least 24 inches deep, but may not survive winter in exposed areas. If you experiment with herbaceous perennials in containers, try overwintering them indoors in a heated garage or basement.

Soil health is essential for a thriving pollinator garden; after harvesting annual crops, consider adding nitrogen-fixing cover crops to your raised beds and containers to supply sugars to the soil microbiome in preparation for next year s plantings. Sourcing organic, chemical-free supplements for the soil is an essential strategy to maintaining soil fertility especially in containers and raised beds, and saves the gardener money on artificial additives..

If your space is too small to support nesting and shelter sites like bare ground, brush piles, or rotting logs, you can incorporate compact options like bee, butterfly, or bird houses without sacrificing growing space. Add structures like trellises and arbors to support climbing and vining plants like cucumbers, squashes, indeterminate tomatoes, and grapes, or flowering plants like honeysuckle, clematis, or roses. Vertical gardening structures simultaneously expand the growing space and create resting spaces for pollinators. 

That wraps up my short list of tips for incorporating pollinator habitat in urban gardens. Whether you have a large city lot, a boulevard planting, or a cozy balcony container garden, you can implement these strategies to increase your harvest and make a positive contribution to pollinator welfare. 
       
Be sure to subscribe to The Buzz for future episodes, and follow us on Facebook at NDSU Extension Pollinator Conservation. Until next time, keep growing your gardens into thriving ecosystems for plants and pollinators alike. Thanks for listening.