Create a pollinator garden
Pick a sunny or part-shaded patch and plan a compact, flower-rich mix that provides nectar and pollen across the seasons. Focus on a variety of flower shapes and heights, include early- and late-flowering species, and mix native plants with long-flowering non-natives to extend forage into autumn. Prepare the soil with simple clearing and light cultivation, then choose an installation method that suits budget and time: sow a wildflower mix, plant plug plants in groups, or use containers for a pocket garden. Protect bare-ground nesting sites by leaving small undisturbed bare patches and add nesting boxes or a log pile for solitary bees. Maintain the area with seasonal actions: stagger mowing to leave flowering strips, dead-head some plants but keep seedheads for overwintering insects where appropriate, and avoid routine pesticide use. Water established plants sparingly; inspect for invasive volunteers and weed by hand where possible. Share results by recording pollinators, swapping local-provenance plants with neighbours or joining a citizen science count. Start small, observe which plants attract local pollinators and expand planting in later seasons based on what works in your garden.