June 23-29 is National Pollinator Week! That magical time when bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds get the PR they truly deserve. While many of us are busy chasing kids, wrangling garden hoses, or wondering why our tomato plants look like they’ve given up on life, the pollinators are out there, quietly doing the hard work of keeping your garden and our ecosystem humming along (pun intended).

Let’s start with a shocking truth: without pollinators, your summer would be a lot less colorful and your dinner plate far less exciting. No apples. No cherries. No zucchini that grows as big as your toddler overnight. And—brace yourself—no chocolate. That’s right. Pollinators are the unsung heroes of everything from salsa ingredients to your morning coffee.

So, how do we support these winged wonders in the Yampa Valley? It starts right in your yard. You don’t need acres of wild meadow or a PhD in entomology. All you need is a willingness to rethink the “perfect lawn” and maybe delay the mowing just a smidge.

Before you grab the weed killer, let’s talk dandelions. These yellow rebels are the first buffet of the season for hungry bees emerging from their long winter naps. Think of dandelions as the Waffle House of spring: open early, everywhere, and wildly underrated. By mowing them down in April or May, you’re basically slamming the door on the only restaurant in town before brunch. So please be a part of the dandelion defense squad and give those little lion-heads a break by letting them bloom until other flowers are able to take over the menu.

Want to roll out the red carpet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds? Plant native flowers like bee balm, blanket flower, yarrow, and penstemon. Think variety: bloom times from early spring to late fall, a rainbow of colors, and layers of heights to attract different pollinator types. Bonus, native plants are lazy-gardener approved. They’re adapted to our soil and climate and require less effort to care for.

Skip the pesticides, as even the “organic” ones can be harmful. If you absolutely must declare chemical war, do it in the evening when pollinators are tucked into bed. And consider leaving a patch of bare ground or some dead wood. Solitary bees love those spots. It’s like Airbnb for insects.

This Pollinator Week, embrace the wild side and let it bee. Let your yard be just a little messy. Let the dandelions have their moment. Toss in some native blooms. Maybe even leave that quirky clump of asters growing out of your gravel path. The pollinators will thank you, with fruit, flowers, and the satisfaction of knowing you are a part of something bigger (and buzzier) than yourself.

Remember, when you help pollinators, you’re not just gardening, you’re saving the world, one bee at a time. And that’s pretty sweet, honey.

Want more tips on pollinator-friendly plants, native landscaping, or how to explain to your neighbor why your yard looks like a buzzing bee disco?

Contact the Routt County Extension Office and chat with a local CSU Master Gardener! We’re available Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 2 through September 11.

Whether you’re wondering what to plant or puzzled by pollinators, we’re here to help—for free!

Call us at 970-879-0825 or email csumgprogram@co.routt.co.us with your questions.

Sarah Storm is an Apprentice CSU Master Gardener and proud member of the Dandelion Defense Squad