​Kincardine Horticultural Society learns about inviting pollinators to the garden

Well gardeners, is it spring or is it summer? We certainly have had some variable weather, but there is hope the warm weather is coming. Before we know it, we will be working in our gardens and complaining about how hot it is.

The Kincardine and District Horticultural Society held its May meeting with guest speakers Rhea Seeger and Michele Younger, volunteers with Butterflyway Gardens. They brought some interesting information about inviting pollinators into our gardens. Through the years, our gardening styles have changed, and we are now learning to integrate native plants into our gardens. We must create corridors for the pollinators.

Without adequate plants and habitat, all pollinators experience increased stress, lower survival rates and population decline. The plan is to create that corridor of habitat or pathways providing food and breeding stops. The goal is to have a pollinator garden every 150 metres, similar to rest stops or fuel stations. The Butterflyway project in Goderich is to restore bio-diversity and beauty while doing something that really matters - and repeat!

In 2026, four Butterflyway Rangers will add 12 gardens each, for a total of 48 new Butterflyway Gardens.

Think about what you can do Think about what single native plant you want to add to your habitat this year! Choose one species and plant five of them. Encourage the addition of native plants, especially a shrub in any garden. Use leaves in your garden beds, under your shrubs, for free fertilizer, free mulch, and a happy habitat!

The next meeting is Monday, June 1, at 7 p.m. at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine. The topic is Searching for Bruce-Grey’s 49 Orchid Species. The same night is our annual flower show. If you are a member, consider showing in this as there are many categories.