June 23, 2025
Pollinator Friendly Fertilizers: Feed Your Garden, Protect the Pollinators
When you plant a pollinator garden, you’re not just creating a pretty backyard haven — you’re building a vital food source and habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other essential wildlife. But did you know the type of fertilizer you use can make a big difference in keeping these helpful visitors safe and your garden thriving?
Why Fertilizer Matters for Pollinators
Many conventional fertilizers contain synthetic chemicals that can run off into waterways or disrupt the delicate balance of your garden’s soil life. This can harm the very pollinators you’re trying to attract — especially bees and beneficial insects that rely on healthy flowers and clean water.
Choosing organic fertilizers is an easy way to nourish your plants while supporting a pollinator-friendly ecosystem. Organic fertilizers feed the soil naturally, encourage healthy root growth, and break down slowly — reducing the risk of nutrient runoff that can harm local waterways.
How Do Organic Fertilizers Work?
Unlike synthetic fertilizers that deliver a quick dose of nutrients, organic fertilizers work with nature. They’re made from natural materials like plant meal, composted manure, or fish and seaweed. These materials feed the microbes and earthworms in your soil, which break them down into nutrients that plants can absorb over time.
This steady, slow release means healthier soil, stronger roots, and more resilient plants. Healthy plants produce more blooms — and more blooms mean more nectar and pollen for the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds you love to see in your garden.
Our Favorite Organic Fertilizers
At our garden centers, we love sharing trusted organic options that help you care for your plants and your pollinator friends:
🌱 Espoma ‘Tone’ Series — You’ll find a “Tone” for nearly every plant! Garden-tone, Flower-tone, Rose-tone — these slow-release organic blends add nutrients gently and enrich the soil with beneficial microbes.
🌿 Organic Plant Magic — This all-in-one organic fertilizer is easy to mix and apply, and it works with your soil’s biology to give plants a balanced boost. Perfect for gardeners who want a fuss-free, safe way to feed flowers and veggies alike.
🐟 Neptune’s Harvest — Made from fish and seaweed, this liquid fertilizer is a favorite for feeding annual flowers, perennials, and vegetable gardens. It’s gentle, easy to apply, and packed with micronutrients that support robust blooms — exactly what pollinators love!
Tip: Choose Native Plants When Possible
One of the easiest ways to support pollinators is by planting native flowers and shrubs. Native plants are naturally adapted to local soil and weather conditions, which means they often need less fertilizer and water once established.
By combining native plants with organic fertilizers, you’ll create a resilient garden that requires less work and provides an abundant, dependable food source for local pollinators season after season.
Tips for Feeding a Pollinator Garden
- Feed in moderation: More isn’t always better. Follow label directions to avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to lush leaves but fewer flowers.
- Time it right: Garden-tone, Rose-tone, and Flower-tone fertilizers should be used monthly from May through September. Tomato-tone for your bee-attracting tomato plants can be applied twice a month from May to August.
- Pair with good gardening habits: Use compost, mulch, and native plants to create a resilient, self-sustaining garden that needs less fertilizer overall.
Small Choices, Big Impact
By choosing organic, pollinator-safe fertilizers and pairing them with pollinator-friendly native plants, you’re helping bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds thrive right in your own backyard — while still giving your garden the nutrients it needs to put on its best show.
Need help picking the right organic fertilizer? Stop by and chat with our team — we’re always happy to help you grow a garden that’s healthy for pollinators and beautiful for you.