National Pollinator Week is June 22 – 28. We invite visitors to come and observe pollinators at the Gardens. Our pollinators have been busy with the first bee sightings occurring during the last week of February. Since then we have installed several mason bee nesting boxes. These were generously funded by the Victoria Master Gardener Association. The nesting boxes will be a learning tool and used to monitor cavity nesting bees and learn best practices for nesting box design and maintenance. These brightly painted nesting boxes can be viewed in the 3 B’s Garden (Birds, Bees & Butterflies), the Vegetable Garden and the Junior Master Gardener Plot.  During pollinator week, we urge you to visit our nesting boxes and also observe plants for bee activity. See which plants are getting the most action and consider adding these to your garden.

Download this handy pollinator identifying guide by Island Pollinator Initiative – HERE – or pick up a printed copy at the Gardens. Please post your pollinator pictures online using the hashtag #hcppollinators. Let’s see how many we can identify….and don’t forget the butterflies and hummingbirds!

If you would like to support our Pollinator Project we will have a donation box at the Gardens during pollinator week. There will also be a take home activity – a Pollinator Watering Station which is available by donation while supplies last. Always remember to check our website for Youth Program workshops and camps which regularly feature pollinator related activities and learning such as creating pollinator gardens, watering stations, wildflower seed bombs and more.

For more ideas on pollinator related activities and the Gardens and at home, please visit our Pollinators at the Gardens Page – HERE.