Be thankful for the birds, bees and other pollinators
What’s all the buzz about? Bees, birds, bats and other pollinators are vital to life on our planet. There is evidence they are in decline. How does it affect us as home gardeners, and what can we do to make a difference?
The Natural Resources Conservation Service says that one-third of all our agricultural output depends on pollinators. When I eat a salad, I can thank pollinators. When I eat a delicious rib-eye steak, I can thank the pollinators that fertilized the grain that fed the cows. Quail hunters depend on pollinators to produce the sunflower seeds that the quail love to eat. Yes, pollinators are vital.
Can you imagine a warm spring day in the garden without birdsong or the buzzing of the bees? No hummingbirds darting or butterflies fluttering? Even if all we considered was the sheer joy of the presence of these garden companions, don’t we think they are worth preserving?
Briefly, here are some things we can do:
- Plant flowers, especially native flowers. Flowers that bloom at different times of the year are best.
- Plant lots of different plants, natives preferred. Variety is the spice of life, after all, and attracts a wider range of pollinators.
- Use pesticides as sparingly and as responsibly as possible. https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/files/2010/10/ipm.pdf is a good resource to help you manage pests with pesticide use a final option.
- Provide a water source in your garden.
I saved the best for last. The Big Country Master Gardener Association is sponsoring a Backyard Pollinator Seminar on Feb. 20, from 8:45 to 11:00 a.m. at the Taylor Country Extension Office Conference Room. The office is on the fairgrounds at 1982 Lytle Way.
Ethan McJames, soil conservationist and rangeland management specialist with Abilene’s National Resource Conservation Office, will start the conference with the three “Ws” of pollinators: who they are, what they do and why they are important. He is an engaging as well as knowledgeable presenter.
After a brief break, you can learn the basics of beekeeping from Abilene’s own Stormy Higgins. Mr. Higgins is a respected local businessman and past city council member who is also a beekeeper. His presentation at a similar seminar last fall received rave reviews from everyone I spoke to.
As always, you can contact the Big Country Master Gardener Association’s hotline with all your garden questions at 325-672-6048. Email us at Bcmg@bcmgtx.org. Follow us on Facebook. Be sure to let us know if there are specific plants you are looking for at our upcoming plant sale.
Until next time, happy gardening!