Our School Grounds: Other habitat – Concrete or tarmac
Suitable for:
What can you do?
The type and scale of management that is possible for pollinators will be different for each site and will depend on many, often competing, factors including: existing habitats, type of use, cost, resources for management and the level of engagement of those undertaking and managing the changes.
The key is to have a range of plants that provide pollen and nectar and which are in flower at different times of year, together with a range of habitats that provide nest, shelter and hibernation sites. In general, the more habitat types and the wider the range of flowers you can provide, the more pollinators you are likely to attract. You can do all of this in your concrete or tarmacked spaces!
Concrete and tarmac are not good habitats for pollinators as they provide neither food, nor nesting and shelter. However, even if you only have a small stretch of tarmac you can still make a space for pollinators.
You can improve concrete and tarmac by adding flowerbeds or pots, creating man-made insect homes, or planting up any surrounding bare walls and fences.
Consider the location (amount of sunlight, wind, where the children play, access to water) before creating anything permanent.
Raised beds are your best long term option – as they are generally larger, they will hold more water and need less watering throughout the year. Installing a raised along a wall will allow you to not only plant a beautiful low maintenance climber but also some perennial plants as well providing foliage, cover, food and an attractive finish to your grounds.
Once happy with the location, consider using our Plants for Pollinator cards to help decide what to plant.
Click on the links below to find out more.
Flowerbeds or pots
Find out how to plant planters, pots, raised beds or borders for pollinators
Man-made insect homes
How to create a bee hotel for solitary bees
Bare walls or fences
Find out how to improve bare walls or fences for pollinators.