Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
Pollinator Week 2024 will take place on June 1723. Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health that was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership 14 years ago.
It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. The great thing about Pollinator Week is that you can celebrate and get involved in any way you like! Keep Liberty Beautiful will provide pollinator kits at the Farmers Market on Thursday, June 13.
Pollinator Kits will also be available at all three libraries in Liberty County, Hinesville, Midway, and Fort Stewart. Pollinator Week 2024 is a celebration of the vital role that pollinators play in our community. Under the inspiring theme ‘Vision 2040: Thriving ecosystems, economies, and agriculture,’ this year invites us to envision a future where pollinators not only survive but thrive.
These essential creatures, including bees, butterflies, moths, bats, beetles, and hummingbirds, are the unsung heroes behind the food we enjoy and the beauty that surrounds us. As we reflect on the interconnectedness of our community, let’s unite in a collective effort to protect and preserve these crucial pollinators. Your understanding of the impact of our actions on their habitats and your embrace of sustainable practices are key to paving the way for a flourishing future that we all share, making you an integral part of this ecosystem.
The U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” was a significant step in addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations.
This designation has not only inspired people worldwide to pledge their commitment to promoting pollinator health and well-being, but it has also elevated Pollinator Week to a truly global initiative. This global recognition underlines the event’s credibility and importance, making everyone’s participation even more impactful.
KLB is doing a lot of work to ensure we have a pollinator-friendly garden at the Liberty County Community Complex in Midway. The newly dedicated Butterfly Graden to Judy Shippey is shaping up very well. KLB is working with the Morning Glory Garden Club, the Girl Scouts, several summer camps, and programs to spread the word about how important it is to have gardens and how vital our pollinator friends are. Some people may think they don’t have a green thumb (like me) or don’t have space or time to garden. Here are some great gardening ideas that you can use at home.
Elizabeth Flaherty wrote an article titled “24 Genius Gardening Hacks, You’ll Be Glad You Know.” She suggested various uses for old sponges, toilet paper rolls, recycled aluminum cans, and more.
Here are a couple of ideas I hope you find helpful.
Plant-in-a-Pot Landscaping Design: Ever wish you could reorganize your garden after seeing how the mature plants look?
Here’s an intelligent way to do it. You’ll need a bunch of pots of the same size so they’ll nest in each other. Put your plants in double containers, then bury them at ground level. Whenever you want a change, lift out the top pot and put it in a different one. This method is also slick for bringing plants indoors over the winter.
This method is also excellent for quickly changing seasonal plants and allows easy experimentation with the color and placement of plants and flowers.
Cardboard Seed Tubes: Save your toilet paper and paper towel tubes for an easy and green way to start seeds. Cut the tubes into 2-inch lengths and set them in a waterproof tray. Fill the tubes with potting soil and plant your seeds. Plant them in the cardboard tube when the seedlings are ready to move to the garden.
The cardboard will decompose. Keep the tube below the soil surface so it doesn’t absorb moisture away from the roots.
Healthy Plant Hydration: Water settling at the bottom of pots can lead to root rot. To combat this problem, cut up old sponges and put them in the bottom of the pot. The sponges retain moisture and create necessary air space. They also help prevent water from flushing out the bottom.
The sponge acts as a water reserve and keeps moist soil longer.
The KLB Staff and Advisory Board has scheduled many great activities. Please visit our website, www.keeplibertybeautiful. org, and Facebook page for more information.
You can also contact us at (912) 880-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com.