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

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