Home Garden Pollen-aider Certification

Become a Pollen-aider in Harford County!

HLT is working with the Harford County Master Gardeners on their Pollen-Aiders Program. Pollen-Aiders are Master Gardener members who educate communities about pollinators, pollinators’ unique relationships with plants, pollinator-friendly garden techniques. You may request a Pollen-Aider to visit your garden to see if it meets all the criteria to be certified as a pollinator-friendly garden. Once your garden meets all the criteria for a pollinator-friendly garden, you will receive a certification sign!

If you’re interested in certifying your garden, fill out the application below. Both online and print options are available.

Online Application

If you’d like to apply online, use this form. Once you send, your application will go directly to our committee and we’ll be in touch with you soon after.

Step 1 of 3

PART 1: CONTACT INFORMATION

Name

First

Last

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Single Line Text

Daytime Phone

Pollinator-Friendly Garden Address

Pollinator garden is at the same location as above.

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

PART 2: GARDEN REQUIREMENTS

Section 1 — Commitment to Plant Diversity

A diversity of plant material is essential to provide both nectar and pollen to support a healthy ecosystem. Four of the five agreements must be met to be considered for certification.

Section 1 — Commitment to Plant Diversity

I will incorporate pollinator-friendly native plants into the garden.
I will use plants that provide pollen and nectar sources from early spring to late fall.
I will provide a diversity of plants, flower shapes and flower sizes.
I will place plants in masses (three or more) to attract pollinators.
I will choose older cultivars and limit newer introductions.

Section 2 — Plant Selection

From the list below please select the pollinator friendly plants that you have on your property. Check all that apply, three (3) plants minimum in each of the three seasons.
(H) = host plant
(T) = tree
(S) = shrub
(V) = vine
(R) = Repeat from previous section

2a. Spring Flowering (April, May, June)

Please select a minimum of three (3) spring flowering plants.

2b. Summer Flowering (July, August)

Please select a minimum of three (3) summer flowering plants.
(R) = repeat from previous section.

2c. Fall Flowering (September, October)

Please select a minimum of three (3) fall flowering plants.
(R) = repeat from previous section.

2d. Sedges & Grasses

Sedges & Grasses

Andropogon gerardii – Big Blue Stem
Bouteloua curtipendula—Sideoats grama
Carex species—Sedge
Elymus hystrix—Bottlebrush Grass
Panicum virgatum—Switchgrass
Sorghastrum nutans – Indiangrass
Sporobolus heterolepis – Prairie Dropseed

2e. Herbs

(2) These plants have been identified as larvae host for butterflies rather than flowers.

2f. Non-Native Pollinator Plants

Non-Native Pollinator Plants

Allium ‘Millenium’ – Allium Millenium
Antirrhinum majus – Snapdragon (H)
Nepeta racemosa – Catmint

2g. A Word About Weeds

While we are not advocating PLANTING weeds, we do encourage you to relax about their presence in your landscape.

“Weed” plants are some of the most beneficial plants pollinators have access to. They might be early and abundant (dandelion), or have both pollen and nectar resources late in the season (tall thistle). White Dutch clover is a great pollinator plant, but is erroneously looked upon as a weed. While it is important to be a responsible steward, and eradicate noxious or aggressive weeds, please think twice about removing/treating those flowering weeds that are generally well-behaved.

If you think they’re pretty, chances are a pollinator will too!

Section 3 — Butterflies & Moths

Please list the plants in your landscape, that you know of, that are a food source for larvae (i.e. dill, milkweed).

Butterflies & Moths

Section 4 — Water

Water is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Choose from the following options how you will provide water for pollinators.

Water

Birdbath or shallow dish
Butterfly puddling area
Water Garden/Pond Stream
Other

Section 5 — Shelter

Pollinators need places to nest and overwinter. How will you provide overwintering sites?

Section 6 — Pesticide Use

Pesticide is the umbrella term given to a product (synthetic or natural) that manages a pest (insect, weed, disease, mollusk, and rodent). What steps will you take to reduce your pesticide use?

Pesticide Use (Initial Options)

I use no pesticide (synthetic or natural)
I occasionally use pesticide but do the following...

Section 7: Conservation Practices

7a. Plants

7a. Plants (Options)

Removal of Maryland invasive plants.
Reduce or eliminate lawn areas.
Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer, and soil from driveway onto lawn. Remove trash from street gutters.

7b. Mulching / Shelter

Compost yard and food waste.
Use natural soil amendments (such as compost or well-aged manure).
Maintain a layer of organic mulch over tree roots, shrubs and plant beds.
Plant groundcovers or use mulch on thinly vegetated areas to decrease erosion.
Leave garden clean up until spring (bees can nest in ornamental grasses, plant stems, etc.).

7c. Chemicals / Pesticides

Avoid chemical pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides where possible.
Control pests naturally by encouraging beneficial insects.
If pesticides are necessary, use those that are pollinator friendly. (ORGANIC ONLY)

7d. Water / Irrigation

Use drip or soaker hoses, instead of an overhead sprinkler.
Use a rain barrel or other means of capturing/utilizing rainwater to irrigate plants.
Direct downspouts and gutters to drain onto the lawn, plant beds, or containment areas.
Water plants only when necessary.

7e. Outdoor Lights

Put outdoor lights on timers, security lights on motion sensors, use safety lights only when absolutely necessary, and turn off lights when not in use.
Replace light bulbs producing white light with LEDs, preferably those producing yellow light.
Other

Print Application

If you’d prefer to fill out a paper application, you can download a PDF file using the button below. Simply print and fill out. Once completed, you can send it by mail or scan and email.

Download PDF

Have Further Questions?

Visit our contact page for ways to reach out to us. We’re here to help you on your journey!

Home Garden Pollen-aider Certification

Become a Pollen-aider in Harford County!

Online Application

PART 1: CONTACT INFORMATION

PART 2: GARDEN REQUIREMENTS

Section 1 — Commitment to Plant Diversity

Section 2 — Plant Selection

2a. Spring Flowering (April, May, June)

2b. Summer Flowering (July, August)

2c. Fall Flowering (September, October)

2d. Sedges & Grasses

2e. Herbs

2f. Non-Native Pollinator Plants

2g. A Word About Weeds

Section 3 — Butterflies & Moths

Section 4 — Water

Section 5 — Shelter

Section 6 — Pesticide Use

Section 7: Conservation Practices

7a. Plants

7b. Mulching / Shelter

7c. Chemicals / Pesticides

7d. Water / Irrigation

7e. Outdoor Lights

PART 3: INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR YARD / GARDEN

Print Application

Have Further Questions?