A new garden has cropped up in Bissell Park and its purpose is to promote pollinators. The group behind the new garden, Seeds of Change Centre Wellington, wants people to start talking about the birds and the bees.
The pollinator garden displays 20 to 25 different native species, uses compost donated from Gerrie’s Farm Market, and mulch donated from Baum Tree Care, in hopes of helping pollinators like hummingbirds and bumblebees.
“There’s a big problem with pollinators – or lack of pollinators. I’ve definitely seen it in my own garden,” said group member Serena Guenter.
The idea stemmed from a national project, but group founder Lindsay Bolger wanted to see what she could do on a local level.
“It was an idea that stemmed off the David Suzuki Foundation. They have started a pollinator corridor specifically for butterflies and monarchs. And we thought, ‘why not do it here?’” said Bolger.
Seeds of Change Centre Wellington formed to help connect the community to nature.
“Our main goal is to get people in our community connected to nature,” said Guenter.
To build a pollinator garden, the group has helpful tips: figure out the type of soil then pick the right plants for the soil, sun and water availability.
Guenter suggests avoiding pesticides and avoiding chemical fertilizer, instead using organic matter and compost. “Make sure you have blooms as early as possible and as late as possible and all the way through,” she adds.
The group plans to slowly take over the ditch currently overrun with invasive species then move on to projects around the township.
