Pollinator populations, including bees, are in serious decline due to disease, climate change, lack of food, chemical use and habitat loss. It is easy to say someone else is to blame but we have all played a part, even the backyard gardener.
The good news is that we can all help bring back the pollinators and now is the time to start incorporating plants in your gardens and landscape that will attract them. Pollinators make use of food and habitat anywhere it is found, whether on roadsides, in a schoolyard garden, a backyard garden, a planter box on a windowsill or a container on a patio.
There are numerous websites devoted to pollinators with clear instructions on how you can help. Homeowners can go to https://peoplesgarden.usda.gov/ and large scale agriculture can go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and search for “pollinators” to find information.
Marshall County SWCD is incorporating pollinator friendly flowers at the Community Garden located on E. Garro St. by River Park Square. We also companion plant marigolds among all the beds to naturally repel insects to avoid using insecticides. Feel free to stop by from time to time to watch our progress.
For more information about pollinators or MCSWCD in general please call 574-936-2024 x 3 or visit www.marshallcountyswcd.org.
by Debbie Palmer, Program Dir. MC Soil & Water Conservation District
