Bee-Friendly Winter: Landscaping Choices That Help Pollinators All Year

Pollinators don’t disappear when winter arrives—they adapt. In Janesville and throughout southern Wisconsin, bees and other beneficial insects rely on thoughtful landscaping choices to survive cold months and emerge strong in spring. At Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawn Care, we design and maintain landscapes that don’t just look good in summer, but support pollinators all year long—including winter.

Here’s how smart, pollinator-friendly landscaping practices can make a real difference when temperatures drop.

Why Winter Matters for Pollinators

Many people assume bees migrate or die off in winter, but that’s only partly true. Different pollinators overwinter in different ways:

• Native bees nest in hollow stems, soil, or wood
• Queen bumblebees burrow into leaf litter or loose soil
• Beneficial insects overwinter in garden debris and plant material

Landscapes that are overly “cleaned up” in fall often remove the very shelter pollinators need to survive winter.

Leave Some Plant Material Standing

While it’s tempting to cut everything back in fall, standing plant material provides critical winter habitat.

Beneficial practices include:

• Leaving perennial stems intact through winter
• Allowing seed heads to remain on native plants
• Avoiding excessive fall pruning

These features offer protection from wind, snow, and predators while also providing early spring food sources.

Leaf Litter Is a Pollinator Shelter

Leaves aren’t waste—they’re insulation. A thin layer of leaf litter helps regulate soil temperature and protects overwintering insects.

Instead of removing all leaves:

• Mulch leaves into garden beds
• Create designated leaf zones in low-traffic areas
• Avoid heavy raking near native plantings

This approach supports pollinators without sacrificing a well-maintained look.

Choose Plants That Support Pollinators Beyond Summer

Pollinator-friendly landscapes start with the right plant selection. Native and adaptive plants support bees not only during bloom season but also after flowering ends.

Key winter-supporting plant traits:

• Hollow or sturdy stems
• Seed heads for birds and insects
• Deep root systems that stabilize soil

We help homeowners select plantings that provide structure, habitat, and seasonal interest year-round.

Avoid Chemicals Late in the Season

Late-season pesticide or herbicide use can linger into winter and disrupt pollinator survival.

Best practices include:

• Reducing or eliminating chemical treatments
• Spot-treating only when absolutely necessary
• Using integrated pest management techniques

Healthy landscapes rely on balance—not heavy chemical inputs.

Winter Lawn Care Matters, Too

Even lawns can support pollinator health when managed responsibly. Avoid compacting soil during winter and limit unnecessary foot or equipment traffic in garden areas where insects overwinter.

Snow cover acts as insulation—undisturbed areas help protect what’s beneath.

Build a Pollinator-Friendly Landscape With Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawn Care

At Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawn Care, we design and maintain landscapes in Janesville that support pollinators in every season—not just when flowers are blooming. From plant selection to seasonal cleanup strategies, we help homeowners strike the right balance between a tidy yard and a healthy ecosystem.

If you’re interested in creating a landscape that benefits bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects year-round, we’re ready to help.

Contact Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawn Care today to plan a pollinator-friendly landscape that works in every season.