Master Gardeners Celebrate Pollinator Week with New Garden

West Chester, PA:  June 15, 2012—Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Chester County are celebrating National Pollinator Week by creating a new pollinator-friendly garden at the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road in West Chester. The garden will be used to demonstrate how home gardeners can attract butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators to their gardens.

Five years ago the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the designation of the final week in June as “National Pollinator Week” to focus attention on declining pollinators. Pollinator Week has now grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. This year, Pollinator Week is June 18-24.

An estimated 1/3 of all foods and beverages are produced with the help of pollinators, and about 75% of all flowering plants need the help of animals and insects to move their pollen from plant to plant for fertilization. Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds, and most vegetables.

The Master Gardener pollinator demonstration garden is located at the top of the parking area near the Government Services building and can be visited at any time. Brochures are being created to identify the plantings and explain the importance of pollination for ornamental and edible plants.

Residents can also have their gardens certified as pollinator friendly by the Penn State Master Gardeners. To be certified, gardens must provide food and habitat for native insects and other animals. Once gardens are accepted for certification, applicants receive an official certificate and can obtain a sign that shows their commitment to helping the pollinators. More information on the program is available at:  http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/public-outreach/cert.

Penn State Master Gardeners educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. They receive horticultural training from Penn State University's College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension. Chester County Master Gardeners work year-round on a variety of projects, including demonstration gardens, horticultural therapy programs, community garden outreach, a Junior Master Gardener program, a hotline for consumer gardening questions, and a Speakers Bureau that offers talks on a wide range of horticultural subjects.

For more information please visit the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Chester County website,  or follow the Facebook page. For gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener hotline at 610-696-3500 or chestermg@psu.edu.