Celebrate Pollinators!

Did you know that each year the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designates a week to recognize and celebrate pollinators?! This week is known as National Pollinator Week and takes place June 21-27. National Pollinator Week was started in 2007 to raise awareness of declining pollinator populations. The purpose of this week is to educate the public on the importance of pollinators and how we can protect them.
Pollination plays a vital role in the health and conservation of our agricultural crops, plants, national forests and grasslands. According to the USDA, about three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. This happens when pollinators visit flowers on their search for nectar and pollen. While visiting the flower, the pollinator brushes against the flower’s reproductive parts and deposits pollen from a different flower. The plant uses this pollen to produce the fruit or seed. Many plants cannot reproduce without this process.
When we think about pollinators, the first to come to mind is the honeybee. While honeybees are a critical pollinator, we have a diversity of other species that help get the job done! From honeybees, native bees, butterflies, wasps, and flies, to hummingbirds and even bats, all play an important role in our ecosystem!
Here a few ways to encourage pollinators!
1. Plant natives. Native species of plants are ideal because they are more attractive to local pollinators and adapted for our area. Examples include beautyberry, coreopsis and coral honeysuckle. For a full list, please visit https://flawildflowers.org
2. Provide sources of nectar and pollen throughout the year. Plant diversity is key! Plant a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide pollinators with a constant food source. Choose plants in a variety of color, shapes and size to encourage diversity.
3. Provide habitat and refuge. Trees and shrubs provide nesting sites as well as bee, bird and bat houses.
4. Minimize the use of pesticides in the garden and landscape. Avoid using pesticides in and around the garden and especially around plants that are blooming. If pesticides are being used, be sure to always read and follow the chemical label. The use of chemicals can be reduced by planting native plant species.
For more information on pollinators or selecting plant species, contact Danielle at the Jefferson County Extension Office at (850) 342-0187 or email dsprague@ufl.edu.