Gail has submitted the following post:
HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME BACK!!!!!
The Monroe County MG & Horticulture Assoc. held its first meeting of 2020 on Jan 25th.
Our speaker was C. Eddolls; an active-certified master gardener & member of the Monroe County Assoc. Chris has a special interest in bees & enjoys her hobby of raising bees and harvesting honey which she sells @ local farm markets.
Chris using bees as a primary source, gave an in depth talk on “POLLINATION” & it’s importance and how we, as master gardeners can play a role in protecting pollinators.
The group listened intently as
Chris went through the specific process of what happens when a plant is pollinated. *Flash back-10h grade biology*.
It was apparent early on that Chris is passionate about bees and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
I was intrigued by the Commercial Bee Farmers- just one fact she shared–the latest trend; the practice of raising bees then seasonally moving them (at night); farm to farm allowing farmers to achieve higher yields due in part to the pollination process–These hives aren’t for honey but for production of more bees.
She addressed the variety of bees; 450,000 species in Michigan; types of bees, characteristics which determine a “bee” and the various jobs bees have within a hive.
The end of her talk dealt with topics that as master gardeners we need to be attentive to. Simply; our very existence as humans is dependent upon our food sources-it is IMPERATIVE we protect our pollinators.
NEWS FLASH- butterflies are not considered pollinators.
She covered the 5 P’s- factors which impact
bees.
1 Pests 2. Pathogens 3. Pesticides 4. Poor Nutrition 5. Pedigree &/or diversity
Looking at the above factors–I can easily identify each one occurring within our very own county. This
means, our call to action must be NOW. As MG’s we must educate others and our actions must be based on our knowledge of the subject matter.
In closing; as Chris did, let me quote–Teddy Roosevelt:
“do what you can, with what you have and where you are!!!”
I love that quote. NOW-let’s all get as passionate as Chris.A great spring project; plant a pollinator garden, even a small one.
here are some fun facts–
>plant cat nip around plants to discourage aphids
>geraniums around a plant will discourage Japanese Beetles
>Nasturtiums will lure aphids
>4’oclocks will lure Japanese Beetles
> Yellow, blue & white colors will attract pollinators>>>
>replace lawns with low growing plants such as violets, clover & dandelions
OR simply, DON’T spray to prevent these pollinator
plants from existing in your lawn. (Warning: walking barefoot on such
a lawn may result in a bee sting to your foot
)
)THANK YOU CHRIS, A VERY INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
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