Pollinator gardens are becoming increasingly popular and for good reasons. Declines in various species of insects that provide pollination services for human and wildlife food and ornamental plants have been documented. NH Audubon is utilizing their facilities in Auburn and Concord to provide demonstration gardens to educate the public about ways that people can help. Beautiful and inspiring pollinator-friendly gardens have been collaboratively created with major contributions by NH Master Gardeners.
On June 29, Linda Thomas, President of the NH Master Gardener Alumni Association, Susan Miner, President of the NH Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and Doug Bechtel, NH Audubon President, dedicated the new pollinator demonstration garden at the Massabesic Audubon Center (MAC) in Auburn. Many of the Master Gardeners who assisted in the planting of the garden were present.
The garden includes native plants that were carefully chosen to provide pollen, nectar and host plants for various species of pollinators. Each plant is identified with a small sign. A brochure provides a plant list that visitors can take home for reference to enhance their own yard for pollinator habitat.
The project at MAC was made possible by the leadership of George and Audrey Vargish, NH Master Gardeners, and through a grant from the NH Master Gardeners Alumni Association. Several local businesses also assisted: Freshwater Farms in Atkinson, Dillon Old Farm Nursery in Chester, and Faulkner’s Landscaping & Nursery in Hookset.
UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers share information about home, yard, and garden topics with the people of New Hampshire. Got questions? Master Gardeners provide practical help finding answers to your questions through the Ask UNH Extension Infoline. Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or e-mail us at answers@unh.edu.
