Local Master Gardener Extension Volunteers will begin this year’s First Thursday program series at the Gilmer County Library Feb. 6. with a presentation on establishing a pollinator garden.
The educational how-to program led by Gilmer Master Gardeners Julie Keller and Karen Hyde will focus on selecting and caring for different types of plants that attract such pollinators as butterflies and bees.
“We will have a slide presentation and talk about site choice and preparation, seed choices, planting and maintenance with a focus on native plants that do well in our area and attract many different pollinators,” Keller said. “It’s not just honeybees and butterflies. We have all kinds of bees, as well as hummingbirds and some two-wing flies that are big time pollinators.”
Keller said the presentation will cover planting from seed, which can be a fruitless endeavor if using seeds that aren’t suited for the north Georgia dirt.
“When you see these wild seed mixes that are available, they often contain things that just flat out don’t grow here. Finding out what does grow and do well here is a key to having a successful garden. We also have so many problems with deer, that starting from seed can be much more economical,” she said. “We have a lot of (pollinator plants that will grow here), but they don’t often come in seed packets. Mountain mint is a favorite around here and it’s a native flower. We have native hydrangeas that are fabulous. Although not as showy as the big blue ones, they are very popular with pollinators. In the fall, we have a festival (of plants) with goldenrod, Joe Pye weed and asters.”
Keller said program attendees will be able to take some free seed packets home with them.
“The DOT has given us a bunch of packets of seeds and everybody will get to take at least two,” she confirmed.
Free programs to continue
The Gilmer Master Gardener Extension Volunteers are sponsored by the local UGA Cooperative Extension Office. All their First Thursday programs are free to attend and open to the public, confirmed Keller.
“We will (be having them) once a month through May,” she noted.
The events will resume in February with a presentation from Gilmer Agriculture Extension Agent Ashley Hoppers.
“She is our new county extension agent and she will be talking about farming and gardening myths. It will be a good opportunity for folks to get to know her,” said Keller.
The Master Gardeners are planning to host a new function, a community plant swap, in May. That event will also take place at the county library, although it will be held outdoors in the educational demonstration garden maintained by the Master Gardeners.
“It will give people an opportunity to share what they’ve got (growing in their gardens). You bring a plant, you take a plant. We’re hoping that we’ll have a few more native plants to trade out,” Keller said.