We recently stopped in at our local, friendly, USDA, United States Department of Agriculture, Lebanon, TN. Always friendly and Welcoming.

Stop in to your USDA to find out about classes they may offer, like Master Gardening. We would love to take this class!

(PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO LOST FAMILY & FRIENDS, THEIR HOMES TO THE RECENT TORNADO MARCH, 2020.)

Our county, Wilson, is about 40 minutes from Nashville, Tennessee! A beautiful, growing area if you are looking for a place to stay while you visit the sites in Nashville! Or, maybe you are considering relocating!

We were able to ask questions about Livestock Farming, find out dates for their Livestock & Master Gardener Classes and pick up Pamphlets to add to our continual “Must Read Stack”. One Palm-Size yellow, folded Pamphlet, caught my eye with the title Be A Friend To Pollinators.

All of this information below, plus more, is inside the folded Pamphlet. You can Learn More by visiting http://www.nifa.usda.gov/Extension/index.html and http://www.nrcs.usda.gov

Animal Pollinators include Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Birds, Bats, Beetles, and other insects. Three-Fourth of the World’s Flowering Plants Depend on these Pollinators.

Did You Know?-There are over 4,000 Species of Bees? They are the main Pollinators for Fruits and Veggies. The Honey Bee by its small self helps the production of billions of dollars worth of crops every year in America!

Think About This!-Butterflies Visit the Garden during the Day-Moths Visit the Garden during the Night-Pollinating Several Plants.

Tiny But Amazing-The Hummingbird and the Bat-They Prefer Tubular, Bright & Warm Colored Flowers, and yes, Red too!

Beetles & Flies-Oh MY!-Small Flies called Midges, Two Species of Midges, only known Pollinators of Cacao Trees, and these Trees Produce the Beans that make CHOCOLATE!

The Pollinators Are In Trouble. Did You Realize?-Due to Their Homes Being Destroyed-Disease-Parasites-Environmental Contaminants.

These Amazing Pollinators visit us in search of Nectar and Pollen, their food. Simply brushing up against one Flower’s Reproductive Parts, Pollen can be deposited from a different flower. This Plant is able to use this Pollen to produce Fruit or Seed.

How Can We Help Provide Food and Habitat for the Pollinators??

• Plant Pollinator Friendly Plants, Shrubs,and Trees. Here are some Suggestions to Help Them When Food is Scarce Early Spring-Dogwood, Blueberry, Cherry, Plum, Willow, and Poplar.
• Flower Colors, Shapes, and Scents Lure a Large Variety of Pollinators
• Add Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects to Aid in Pest Control so to Help Reduce or Eliminate the need for Pesticides.
• There might be some Plant Damage from Butterfly and Moth Larvae. Try to Know and Accept.
• Set Out Shallow Dishes, Bowls, Birdbaths, and any Creative Ways to Provide Water. Submerge Stones halfway to Provide a Perch for Drinking the Water.
• One of my Favorites-In Your Flower Garden and Landscape, Leave Dead Tree Trunks for Wood-Nesting Bees, and Beetles!!!
• Help With a Community Garden and Green Spaces

Have Fun Envisioning & Planting Your New Trees, Flower, and Veggie Garden!