No Mow March: Homeowners Associations

Designing or modifying a landscape to encourage pollinators does not have to be odds with homeowner association landscaping rules. Here are a few ways to make your property attractive to pollinators, even if you have association covenants to follow. Download the HOA Pollinator Tips.

Container Gardening

Growing flowering plants in containers helps to keep a neat look while adding beauty to a landscape bed or porch area.  Many of the flowering annuals and perennials you may choose for the container will serve as a food source for pollinators.

Utilizing Flowering Shrubs

In place of evergreen shrubs that only feature foliage, transition to a few flowering shrubs that can become permanent landscape specimens.  Pollinators like a grouping of similar plants. 

Do Not Apply Insecticides in March

Native ground nesting bees take advantage of dormant turf in spring to raise young in the ground. These pollinating bees are not aggressive and do not harm turf.  Skipping insecticide treatments to turf during March helps protect these native bee pollinators!

Add a Pollinator House

If you are not able to leaves a few hollow plant stems standing in your perennial plant clumps, consider adding a pollinator house.  Several native bees will use artificial tubes if their specifications are met.  You must be willing to clean or replace the house nesting materials every couple of years for the health of the native bees.  UF's Pollinator Hotels information will help guide you on construction and care of a pollinator house.