In
2007, to address the declining pollinator populations the U.S. Senate
approved one week in June as National Pollinator Week. This years
National Pollinator Week designation is June 18-24 2018. In 2011
Penn State Master Gardeners took action to protect pollinators and
started certifying gardens “Pollinator Friendly”. Currently
there are 750 certified gardens in 56 counties in PA. The top three
counties are Lancaster with 87, York with 76 and Berks with 63.
Delaware county has sixteen certified gardens and is tied with
Lebanon county for thirteenth place.
So
what's involved in getting your garden certified pollinator friendly?
To begin, download the application at
https://ento.psu.edu/publications/pollin-app.
Complete the contact information and the location of the garden that
you are certifying. The application is then broken down into four
parts.
STEP
ONE:PROVIDE FOOD
Certification
is based on
the
use of native plants do to their close relationship with pollinators.
Plants selected need to provide pollen and nectar from early spring,
through summer and into fall and offer different flower shapes and
sizes. A combination of four trees and/or shrubs are needed (unless
you are unable to meet this criteria) plus two different species of
perennials from each season (planted in groups of three) for a total
of eighteen plants. Two of the trees, shrubs or perennials must be a
host plant for caterpillars (ex. Milkweed for the Monarch). The list
of seventeen trees, twenty three shrubs and forty two perennials are
suggestions, however, other natives will be considered.
STEP
TWO: PROVIDE WATER SOURCES
Just
like most living things pollinators need water. If you are not lucky
enough to have a creek, stream or pond on your property, then a
simple bird bath or mud puddling area will suffice. However, for
certification this is a must.
STEP
THREE: PROVIDE SHELTER
70%
of our native bees nest underground. Others are solitary nesters
using hollow stems, holes in wood, or crevices in stones. Many bees
and insects overwinter as eggs, larva, chrysalis or adults under
leaves, rocks or loose bark, at the base of grasses and inside stems.
Providing bare areas in your lawn, rock piles or dead wood and
man-made bee boxes will help to provide nesting sites and shelter.
By keeping your garden clean up until late April will ensure that you
will not disturb overwintering insects.
STEP
FOUR: SAFEGAURDING POLLINATOR HABITAT
The
certification is based on native plants do to their close association
with pollinators. Native plants are four times more attractive to
pollinators then non-native plants. Non-natives threaten the local
ecosystem, disrupting biodiversity and pushing out natives. Avoid
purchasing non-natives and work on removing them (especially
invasive) from your garden and replacing with suitable natives.
Reduce the use of pesticides or use sparingly according to the
guidelines given.
Complete
the application by answering the questions on the area, size and
description of the garden site. For the purpose of verification you
will need to include either a sketch or pictures showing the location
of the required plants. Finally, sign the application and submit it
(mail or e-mail) along with a $10 non-refundable processing fee.
Once
your application is received it will be reviewed by the pollinator
committee and if it meets all the criteria then your garden will be
certified and registered. You will also receive a certificate
recognizing that your garden is certified “Pollinator Friendly”.
To “show off” to your neighbors or perhaps explain why your
garden looks the way it does you can purchase a garden sign for
$30.00.
