Spring Township Fall 2021 - 15

Pollinators
Beneficial pollinators have very basic habitat
requirements: flowers to forage, host plants on
which to lay their eggs, and an environment free of
pesticides. Wildflower meadows, grasslands, and other
areas rich in native plants offer these essentials.
Wildflower gardens are an oasis for diminishing
pollinator populations facing habitat loss.
Made up of native plants, wildflower gardens are
easy to establish and maintain. They help preserve
biodiversity by providing food and shelter for local
wildlife. And they are very attractive when established.
Planting a Wildflower
Garden At Home
Wildflower gardens are an opportunity to impact your
local ecosystem in a big way. Keep in mind, planting a
meadow is not the same as planting a garden. When
you plant garden seeds, you will see - and harvest -
results in the same season. With a wildflower meadow,
you'll often have to wait two seasons, or three, to
reap the most benefits. Natural meadows evolve over
years and years. It takes time to develop relationships
between insects, animals, and plants
If you want to attract bees, increase insect populations
and decrease your time spent tending to the grass,
then you can safely know that a wildflower lawn
is worth the time and effort you are just about to
take. Contact your native plant nursery or Penn State
Cooperative Extention to get started.
Thank You!
The Parks and Recreation Department is extremely
grateful for all of our volunteers. Although we have
not been able to see many of you in the last year
and a half, we have not forgotten about you and we
will be in touch as soon as we can offer some special
events.
We would like to thank the following groups and
individuals who have helped with park projects and
summer camps this past summer.
* Kent Himelright and Evan Corondi of Berks
County Conservation District
* Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society
* Berks County Master Watershed Stewards
*
Greglynn Gibbs and the Penn State Berks
Chemical Society
* Phyllis Brooks
*
Barb Geigle
* Jan Gernsheimer
* Cindy Murdough
* Mama's Pizza of Sinking Spring for providing
boxes for the Pizza Box Solar Ovens
*
Spring Township Lions' Club for their restoration
work on the stage area at West Lawn Park.
www.springtwpberks.org 13
What is Pollination?
Pollination occurs when pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower by
pollinating animals such as birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, beetles, or other animals, or by
the wind. The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization,
and successful seed and fruit production for plants. Pollination ensures that a plant will produce
full-bodied fruit and a full set of viable seeds.
Create a Wildlife Habitat at Home
Wildflower gardens are an oasis for diminishing pollinator populations facing habitat loss.
Made up of native plants, wildflower gardens are easy to establish and maintain. They help
preserve biodiversity by providing food and shelter for local wildlife. And they are very
attractive when established.
Wildflower gardens are an opportunity to impact your
local ecosystem in a big way. Keep in mind, planting a
meadow is not the same as planting a garden. When you
plant garden seeds, you will see - and harvest - results
in the same season. With a wildflower meadow, you'll
often have to wait two seasons, or three, to reap the most
benefits. Natural meadows evolve over years and years.
It takes time to develop relationships between insects,
animals, and plants
If you want to attract bees, increase insect populations
and decrease your time spent tending to the grass, then
you can safely know that a wildflower lawn is worth the
time and effort you are just about to take. Contact your
native plant nursery or Penn State Cooperative Extention
to get started.
Location Selection
Areas with full sun and well drained soils
are often best for pollinator habitats of
native wildflowers, and access to a water
source is a plus.
Right Plant, Right Place
Planting the right species in the right place
will make both the plant and its pollinators
happy! When selecting your wildflowers,
look for species that require the soil and
sun conditions similar to where you plan on
planting. In addition to the needs of the
plant, ensure you are planting something
that works with your wants and needs.
Ways To Attract Pollinators
Plant a variety of flowers that bloom yearlong
Because there is such a vast assortment of creatures
that pollinate flowers, the best way to make your
garden a welcoming place is to plant a wide variety of
flowers that bloom throughout the year.
Plant a variety of color
Similarly to how different people like different colors,
different types of pollinators are also more attracted to
different shades.
Tempt with fragrance
Herbs like sage, oregano, basil, and lavender contain
many fragrant oils, so their flowers contain nectar which
is particularly delightful to pollinators.
www.springtwpberks.org
610-678-5399
Insects and other animal pollinators are needed
for the production of healthy crops - food, fibers,
edible oils, medicines, and other products.
Pollinators are also essential components of the
habitats and ecosystems that many wild animals
rely on for food and shelter.
Pollinators are vital to the endurance of many
species of plants and animals- and that doesn't
exclude people. Roughly one-third of the food
we eat is distributed by pollinators. Recently,
however, populations of many of our favorite
pollinators are in decline, partially due to loss of
habitat and food.
Did You Know?
According to the Natural Resources
Conservation Service in Pennsylvania, in
the United States one third of all agricultural
output depends on pollinators. Fruit and
vegetable growers in Pennsylvania can
attest to the significant role pollinators play
in the production of many of our crops.
Promoting pollinators' habitat on and near
the farm benefits everyone who likes to eat!
* Pollinators support biodiversity: There is a
correlation between plant diversity and
pollinator diversity.
* The pollinator population of an area is a
great indicator of the overall health of an
ecosystem.
* Some crops, including blueberries and
cherries, are 90 percent dependent on
honey bee pollination.
* Honey bees visit five million flowers to make
one pint of honey.
* Bees tend to prefer flowers that they can
walk on to sip nectar. Butterflies and moths
need to land on the flowers that they visit,
so they prefer broad, flat-faced flowers.
Go Native
Maximize Variety
Pollinators love native wildflowers! When creating
pollinator-friendly habitat, remember to only plant
species that live naturally in your area. Native plants do
not require much maintenance once established and
will provide for your native pollinators.
An ideal pollinator-friendly habitat has several plant
species that will bloom throughout the growing season.
Therefore it is important to plant early, middle, and late
blooming species. By planting flowers that vary in size,
color, and shape you help ensure that a wider variety of
pollinators can benefit from your habitat.
www.springtwpberks.org
610-678-5399
http://www.springtwpberks.org http://www.springtwpberks.org http://www.springtwpberks.org

Spring Township Fall 2021

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