Establishing flower strips

We planted flower strips comprised of nine native perennial species at four participating farms in the Gallatin Valley, Montana.  We chose plant species with different colors and floral morphologies and with bloom times that would span the entire growing season in order increase the likelihood of providing food for a diversity of bee species.  We also chose plants that would do well in agricultural settings with limited water and full sun.  We used plugs rather than seeding to hasten flower strip establishment. Wildflower plugs were transplanted in early June (2013) into strips (one per farm) consistent with each sites’ farming methods.

Crop field with rows of plastic sheetsPotted plantsPurple and yellow flowersWoman watering cropsRows of yellow flowersRow of purple and yellow flowersPlants in yellow potsRow of green plantsClose-up of row of green plants growing through plastic sheetingRows of bushes and flowersClose-up of row of green plants growing through plastic sheetingClose-up of row of green plants with purple flowers growing through plastic sheetingEmpty crop fieldRow of green plants growing through plastic sheeting

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Crop pollination

We established experimental crops strips comprised of squash and sunflower plants at each farm to evaluate the effects of flower strips on pollination services to crop plants and determine whether crops are pollen-limited on farmlands.

Potted green leafy plants on a wire shelfRows of plants with sunflowers with bags on the ends of some stemsPlant with green mesh bags wrapped around some sectionsBisected squashYellow flower with an identifying ribbon tied around its stemBisected and cored squashSquash seeds in foil cupsClose-up of yellow flowersRow of green plantsRow of green plants with yellow flowers and green mesh bags wrapped around some sectionsRow of green plants growing plastic sheetingRows of plants with paper bags arranged in a line between two rows

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Bee sampling

We sampled the bee community to better understand the diversity and abundance of wild bees on farms and to identify plant species important as food resources for wild bees throughout the growing season. We focused on two sampling methods, hand netting and yellow pan traps, since each target different subsets of the bee community.

Row of green plants with yellow bowl on the ground nearbyTwo side-by-side photos of a bee in different conditions - Photo by Kelly GorhamWoman holding large mesh net near purple and yellow flowers - Photo by Kelly GorhamWoman holding large mesh net near purple and yellow flowers - Photo by Kelly Gorham

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Wildflower seed

We collected seed to evaluate the potential of wildflower strips for native seed production and sales.

Plastic and paper bags lying on the ground next to a carPlastic and paper bags lying on the ground next to a carGreen plant covered in a green mesh bagPair of purple gloves lying against bags of seedSmall round objects on a surface with a pair of tweezers and a small, short metal cup; a drawer projects from the bottom of the surface, and some of the round objects are in the drawerTwo plastic bags, each containing a different type of seedA plastic tube with plastic shelves projecting inwardly at a 45 degree angle; the uppermost shelf is holding a bulk of seedsTwo plastic bags, each containing a different type of seedRectangular wooden device with mobile block of wood situated between lateral wooden tracks; the inner space contains seeds and debrisRectangular wooden device containing seeds and debris on a surface next to gloves, scissors, and a round sieveBag of seeds that says 'TH 8-12-14 R3 extra Pc'Bucket containing soil and plantsPlastics bins containing plant matter and paper bags full of seedsPlastic bin containing plant matterGreen and white mesh bags containing plant matterGreen and white mesh bags containing plant matterOrange bucket containing plant matter next to live plants

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Wild bee visitors

A variety of native bees visited flower strips, including bumble bees, digger bees, sweat bees, leafcutting bees, long-horned bees, resin bees, masked bees, and mason bees.

Flying insect with yellow/black striped abdomen and green thorax landed on a yellow flowerBee landed on a faint lavender flower held in a person's handBee landed on a yellow flowerBee landed on a lavender flowerBee landed on a lavender flowerBee landed on a purple flowerBee landed on a white flower on a stalkBee landed on a purple flowerFlying insect landed on a yellow/purple flowerFlying insect landed on a yellow flowerBee landed on a yellow flowerBee landed on a yellow flowerBee landed on a yellow flower

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Outreach materials

Media attention

Funding

This project was supported by the Western Sustainable Research and Education program.

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