Page 23 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 121
P. 23

www.sportsenergynews.com                                                          Issue #121 February 2023                                23


      Let it Grow – Plotting for a Pollinator Garden



       By Marion Dalley                     the use of pesticides in your garden.
                                            Most local nurseries have eliminated
            atching        hummingbirds,    the purchase/sale of plants that have
      Wbutterflies  and  bees  flitting  been treated with Neonicotinoids.
      about in your garden is truly a joy.  This  is  the  most  harmful  to  bees.
      There is so much talk about insects  Check labels when buying plants to
      and birds that help with the pollination  avoid this pesticide.
      process. Unfortunately, we are at risk   Avoid    hybrid    versions    of
      of losing this truly important part of  wildflowers,   such   as   double-
      our ecosystem.                        flowered.  There  is  less  nectar
        Without pollinators, one of the  produced in double blooms, and it is
      most important things that we lose is  more  difficult  for  the  pollinators  to
      much of our food source. That’s right,  find the nectary.
      we will not be able to grow crops to    Keep your garden well-watered.
      feed ourselves, no vegetables to eat,  Plants are able to produce more
      no foods to raise meat, no flowers to  nectar and pollen when they are not
      enjoy.  Birds,  bees,  bats,  butterflies,  struggling to reach a water source.
      beetles, and other small mammals are  Fertilize with natural fertilizers if     Photo Submitted
      responsible for bringing us one out of  possible, such as compost, or provide
      every three bites of food.            a slow-release fertilizer.
        It behooves us to assist these        Leave some open spaces in your
      creatures as much as we are able. Plot  garden where insects can build their   Patched Bumblebee.                cause/bee-garden-guide/
      for a pollinator garden. Add natural  homes. Or provide some hollow          https://foecanada.org/the-bee-        Happy Plotting!
      areas to your landscape where these  branches/logs. These can be artfully
      creatures might nest.                 hidden behind larger plant groupings                SEAWAY VALLEY MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
        The following are some general  and provide a home for your                                  HIRING HEAD COACHES
      guidelines that can help with  pollinators. Providing a water source                     FOR THE 2023-2024 HOCKEY SEASON
      establishing a healthy pollinator  for bees and insects is also helpful. A
      garden.                               flat dish full of marbles works well, as   If you are looking for a great coaching opportunity and love to work
        Ensure that you plant species that  the insects can perch on the marbles,   with dedicated young hockey players at the AA and A level, this is your
      are  non-invasive  to  our  region.  We  and get to the water without mishap.   chance. Seaway Valley Rapids Minor Hockey Association is seeking
                                                                                   head coaches for the 2023 – 2024  hockey season. Competitive expenses
      will talk more about invasive plants in  Clean often, and keep it filled, as the   coverage for coaches offered.
      the next issue. Meanwhile, check out  insects will return to this source once   The head coach will be responsible of all the duties related to coaching
      information on internet sites, ask in  they have discovered your kindness.   as per the job description.
      your local gardening group, or read a   Regular trimming and deadheading
      book on which plants are fine to plant.  of your flowers will promote longer
        We all like to have colour and variety  blooming periods, therefore more
      over the entire summer so plant a wide  food for the pollinators. And if it is
      variety of early, mid, and late summer  (or can be) your style, endeavour
      bloomers.  Arrange the plantings in  to keep your gardens more natural.
      larger clumps, so that the  flowers are  Less  manicuring  of  lawns,  leaving
      easily visible to the pollinators. There  dandelions so that the bees have this   Applications will be accepted until March 20, 2023
      is a wonderful array of pollinator  essential pollen early in the season,
      plants including crocus, hyacinth,  and providing more natural habitat
      sage, cosmos, sedum, lantana, phlox,  for the birds and insects, all assist in
      echinacea, zinnia, dahlia, goldenrod,  making your pollinator garden the
      and the list goes on. Check out this  “place to be” for these essential little
      web site for a more extensive list  creatures.                                         All applications can be emailed to:
      http://www.flowerscanadagrowers.        Check out this wonderful book           Brad Robertson berobertson@sympatico.ca
      com/pollinator-poster                 that you can download for free titled
        It is super important to eliminate  A Flower Patch for the Rusty-         or Mark Desnoyers  convenorhockey@gmail.com
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