Pollinator Practices

It has been a slow start to spring, but it will be here soon along with pollinators that are vital to a healthy ecosystem. Richfield staff has compiled several ideas for residents to achieve longer lasting impacts in creating healthy pollinator habitat in their own residential yards. Staff will observe this year’s No Mow May initiatives in other cities and learn from best practices that will be examined for future efforts in our community. 


Richfield staff have compiled several ideas for residents to achieve longer lasting impacts in creating healthy pollinator habitat in their own residential yards. Implementation of these ideas fosters beneficial habitat and effects supporting pollinator health and survival long-term.  

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Pollinator tips for residents:

  • Many residents can mow their lawn less frequently and still abide by code requirements regarding grass length. Try mowing every other week if you regularly mow weekly. Depending on the weather and your individual property, you might even be able to mow less frequently than that! 
  • Plant a pollinator garden and native perennials! Pollinators need flowering plants, nesting and overwintering sites, and pesticide-free habitat to thrive.
    • Info about plants for our area is available here. Four relevant guides include: Pollinator Plants for the Great Lakes and Midwest regions as well as Monarch Nectar Plants for the Great Lakes and Midwest regions.
    • If you don't have any yard space, plant window boxes or plant pots instead!
  • Oversow your current grass with Bee Lawn fescue mix available around the metro.
  • The Lawns to Legumes program offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides and cost-share funding (individual support grants) for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential lawns. 
  • UMN Extension information on planting and maintaining bee lawns
  • Richfield Code on natural landscaping - city code provides guidelines if you're interested in converting your yard to alternative landscaping.

Pollinator sign