Did you know a bee needs to visit 660 flowers to make just one drop of honey? And that a third of our food is thanks to the pollinators? Pollinators, which include bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and even birds and bats, are vital to our ecosystems and biodiversity.

During Bees’ Needs Week (13th – 19th July), across the country, organisations and individuals are being recognised for their work supporting pollinators. Locally, Sussex Green Living, has been nominated for the Defra Bees’ Needs Champion Award in recognition of its active work to restore biodiversity through its Pollination Education Stations installed in schools, work places, churches and community areas.

At home too, there are helpful steps we can take. A thriving wildlife habitat actually starts with living soil; a dynamic, underground ecosystem filled with fungi, microbes, bacteria, and earthworms.

When your soil is thriving, plants can grow stronger and produce more nectar and pollen, which naturally attract more pollinators. In fact, investing in soil health is one of the most impactful steps a gardener can take to contribute to a healthier environment.

Start with organic matter

Healthy soil starts with organic matter. Materials like compost, leaf mould and well-rotted manure feed the organisms in the soil which then break down nutrients into forms that plants can absorb. This mimics the cycles found in natural environments, where fallen leaves and decaying plants replenish the soil year after year.

Regularly adding organic matter to your garden beds improves the soil structure, creating a rich and crumbly texture that supports root growth and underground life. And it doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact, embracing home composting turns food waste into valuable nutrients for your garden, reduces landfill waste and minimises the fossil fuels needed to transport it around the county.

Growing plants that feed pollinators

Nutrient-rich soil leads to more vibrant blooms and longer flowering periods, so the likes of bees, wasps, butterflies and moths have more time to feed throughout the year. But you can also encourage pollinators to your garden with what you plant.

Sunflowers, thistles, poppies and borage are all great choices for bees and butterflies. Some food plants such as pumpkins, winter squash, melons and raspberries provide plenty of pollen. Even those considered weeds like dandelions, daisies and clover encourage more pollinators to your space, so don’t be afraid to leave some parts of your garden wild.

Encouraging natural soil cycles

Rather than relying on synthetic fertilisers, which can disrupt soil biology, aim to work with natural cycles. Mulching is a simple but powerful practice where you cover the soil with organic materials like bark, straw, or grass clippings to protect it from erosion, help regulate the temperature, and provide a steady source of food for beneficial organisms like worms and beetles.

Supporting a balanced ecosystem

Living soil doesn’t just attract pollinators. It also supports helpful predators like beetles, birds, and hedgehogs that help keep pest populations in check. The balance reduces the need for chemical interventions and fosters a more stable, resilient environment that supports itself. Our gardens serve as vital wildlife corridors, so even small improvements in the health of your soil can contribute to broader ecological stability.

If you need a hand getting started with gardening, you are welcome to access free pots, soil and seeds at the Growing Hub on the last Saturday of the month: www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/sussex-green-hub/

By Annie Button