Creating a pollinator garden - Ask Extension
Greetings, We are interested in creating a pollinator garden in a lawn space (this would be a church lawn that we want to convert). We don't even kn...
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Creating a pollinator garden #925476
Asked March 05, 2026, 2:14 PM EST
Greetings, We are interested in creating a pollinator garden in a lawn space (this would be a church lawn that we want to convert). We don't even know where to start. Are there resources that would help us plan? Do we need permission from the city (Hillsboro)? I'm not really sure what to ask. Any advice or direction to who to contact would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Pollinator gardens, bee-friendly landscapes, and naturescaping are search terms you can use to find local resources. I will also include links to articles.
Call the city to ask about codes, and search online for local landscaping rules, as a non-residential property might have different rules than homes. Some cities have districts with different rules, such as historic designation or enhanced pedestrian access zones. Considerations like visibility for walkers and drivers, clear passage along sidewalks and maintenance of the garden through the seasons might be subjects covered. Fire-wise landscapes are getting more attention also, so include research with your insurance coverage. “Leave the leaves” is a popular phrase now, but zero fall clean-up isn’t an option for every property.
I worked with my church landscaping, and found adequate watering, control of invading or noxious weeds and pests (is property on the Japanese beetle control area, ODA project?), choosing plants safe to children (thorns or toxic berries) and concerns of those allergic to insect stings (avoid attracting stinging bees to entry and parking areas) are worth addressing early. Consider clean sources of plants also, due to weeds and pests that can arrive with donated plants.
Visit the Washington County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden at PCC Rock Creek to see what they are doing. Signage is good anytime and Wednesday mornings you may find the volunteers working and able to share their experiences.
Here’s a few online resources and articles:
Consider wood chips applied deep to smother turf rather than digging it out, details here from WSU.
Turning a backyard into a pollinator garden, this article from OSU includes resource links at the end.
This, EM 9289 is a recent publication about urban and suburban pollinator habitat improvement.
Scroll through the OSU Extension catalog pollinator publications—it’s all interesting if a bit overwhelming at first.
Look into grants and on-site advice, as this from Metro.
The local Soil and Water Conservation District, and Clean Water Services have online articles, possibly classes and plant sales, maybe even funding.
My last bit of advice from experience is that year-around maintenance of a non-turf landscape is not easily delegated to others. I mean, turf can be mowed by those without plant knowledge, but a mixed planting isn’t easy. Plants grow and change yearly, encouraging strong blooming means some irrigation, deadheading before seed set is needed or some plants will crowd out others. I recommend a plan that includes maintenance considerations before removing a big lawn, but it can be done, and I hope you find these resources and advice encouraging.
Call the city to ask about codes, and search online for local landscaping rules, as a non-residential property might have different rules than homes. Some cities have districts with different rules, such as historic designation or enhanced pedestrian access zones. Considerations like visibility for walkers and drivers, clear passage along sidewalks and maintenance of the garden through the seasons might be subjects covered. Fire-wise landscapes are getting more attention also, so include research with your insurance coverage. “Leave the leaves” is a popular phrase now, but zero fall clean-up isn’t an option for every property.
I worked with my church landscaping, and found adequate watering, control of invading or noxious weeds and pests (is property on the Japanese beetle control area, ODA project?), choosing plants safe to children (thorns or toxic berries) and concerns of those allergic to insect stings (avoid attracting stinging bees to entry and parking areas) are worth addressing early. Consider clean sources of plants also, due to weeds and pests that can arrive with donated plants.
Visit the Washington County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden at PCC Rock Creek to see what they are doing. Signage is good anytime and Wednesday mornings you may find the volunteers working and able to share their experiences.
Here’s a few online resources and articles:
Consider wood chips applied deep to smother turf rather than digging it out, details here from WSU.
Turning a backyard into a pollinator garden, this article from OSU includes resource links at the end.
This, EM 9289 is a recent publication about urban and suburban pollinator habitat improvement.
Scroll through the OSU Extension catalog pollinator publications—it’s all interesting if a bit overwhelming at first.
Look into grants and on-site advice, as this from Metro.
The local Soil and Water Conservation District, and Clean Water Services have online articles, possibly classes and plant sales, maybe even funding.
My last bit of advice from experience is that year-around maintenance of a non-turf landscape is not easily delegated to others. I mean, turf can be mowed by those without plant knowledge, but a mixed planting isn’t easy. Plants grow and change yearly, encouraging strong blooming means some irrigation, deadheading before seed set is needed or some plants will crowd out others. I recommend a plan that includes maintenance considerations before removing a big lawn, but it can be done, and I hope you find these resources and advice encouraging.
