How to Attract Pollinators to Your Denver Kitchen Garden This Spring
A buzzing, fluttering garden isn’t just beautiful—it’s essential for a thriving ecosystem. In Denver’s dry, high-altitude climate, pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are your garden’s secret sauce. They boost your fruit and veggie yields, help maintain biodiversity, and bring your space to life (literally).
Here’s how to roll out the red carpet for pollinators this spring!
1. Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers
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Think of flowers as a welcome sign for pollinators—and the more blooms, the better. In Denver, aim for drought-tolerant, native or well-adapted species that provide consistent nectar and pollen throughout the season.
Top picks for our climate:
🌻 Sunflowers – Loved by bees and birds; easy to grow and super cheerful.
🌿 Bee balm – A hummingbird magnet that thrives in full sun.
🌸 Lavender – Fragrant, long-blooming, and drought-tolerant (a trifecta).
🌼 Echinacea – Tough as nails and a butterfly favorite.
🪻 Local tip: Plant flowers in clumps rather than scattering them. Groupings are easier for pollinators to spot and visit efficiently.
READ NEXT: Denver Gardening Hacks: Top Flowers for Pest Control and Protections
2. Grow Herbs That Pollinators Love
Let those herbs flower! While we often snip them before they bloom, herbs in flower are a goldmine for pollinators—and you’ll still get plenty for your kitchen.
Let these herbs go wild:
Thyme
Oregano
Basil
Cilantro
Chives
🐝 Double win: You’ll attract bees and enjoy a garden-to-table lifestyle. Fresh pesto, anyone?
3. Provide a Fresh Water Source
It doesn’t have to be this big! 😘
In Denver’s dry climate, water is just as important to pollinators as flowers. They need safe, shallow places to sip and hydrate.
Try these simple water setups:
A shallow dish filled with pebbles and water (so bees can land safely).
A birdbath with a small solar fountain (hummingbirds love the moving water).
A mud patch in a shady corner for butterflies (yes, muddy water is their jam!).
4. Say No to Pesticides
Even organic pesticides can harm beneficial bugs. Pollinators are sensitive, and keeping them safe means embracing natural pest control methods.
Try these instead:
🐞 Release ladybugs and lacewings to fight off aphids and mites.
🌱 Practice companion planting (think basil with tomatoes or marigolds with cucumbers).
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5. Add a Pollinator Habitat
Pollinators need food and shelter. Give them places to nest, rest, and hide from predators.
Habitat ideas:
Hang a bee house on a sunny fence or leave a bare patch of soil for ground-nesting native bees.
Plant milkweed to support monarch butterflies.
Avoid over-mulching—some solitary bees need bare ground to nest.
Final Thoughts: Welcome the Buzz!
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden isn’t just good for your veggies—it’s good for the planet. You’ll enjoy more blooms, bigger harvests, and a thriving ecosystem that hums with life.
So, what are you planting this season to attract pollinators? Drop your favorites in the comments—we love seeing your gardens grow! 💚
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Meet the Gardener
I’m Elisa Mack - a mom and Denverite who went from being a green-ish thumb to a kitchen garden fanatic simply by dedicating myself to the study of all things Colorado gardening.
Landscapers don’t design. And nurseries don’t make house calls.
We take a more full-service approach, from designing your dream garden to keeping it beautiful year-round.
And as your coach, I’ll help eliminate the guesswork through every season, no matter your level of knowledge.
