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Building a Bee Garden through Trial and Error

August 22, 2016 By marketeditor

By Mary Peryea

Last fall I moved from an apartment in Tupper Lake, surrounded by flower beds that I had planted over several years, to a home in Saratoga Springs that was devoid of a garden. I was determined to remedy that situation, so I transplanted some of my perennials to my new home. I brought Asiatic lilies, lupines, coneflowers, poppies and more. My husband dug some beds and I got everything transplanted by November 1.

Wild Things Rescue Nursery 2Spring arrived. I was happy to see that most of my transplants had survived the winter, thankfully an unusually mild one. I wanted to make my flower beds pollinator-friendly, so started to research what I needed to do on the internet. I was happy to see that some of the plants I’d brought were just right, but knew I had more planning to do.

Enter the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, with a plethora of experts on both flower and vegetable gardening. The vendors were more than happy to share their knowledge with a newbie like me. All of the vendors I spoke with emphasized the same thing: Native plants, which are well-adapted to local soils and climates, are the best sources for nectar and pollen for native pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds.

Pollinators help maintain healthy plant communities that provide food that sustains wildlife, and they play an essential role in crop production. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that one of every three bites of food Americans consume comes from a plant visited by bees or other pollinators. Sadly, however, pollinators are threatened by habitat loss, disease and excessive use of pesticides.

I added more of the types of perennials that can be found at Dawn Foglia’s Wild Things Rescue Nursery stall such as rudbeckia, liatris, spiderwort and asters to my garden. I left some milkweed that had sprung up in the back yard. I chose annuals that are readily available from such vendors as the Balet Flowers & Design and the Burger Farm that attract pollinators such as zinnias and cosmos. And despite an attack by the red lily beetle, I avoided using any pesticide. Instead, I picked the pests and their larvae off by hand. I put up a hummingbird feeder as well.

Wild Things Rescue NurserySo how did I do? Well, my flowerbed was beautiful and colorful. But I saw not a single bee, butterfly or hummingbird. What did I do wrong? I don’t know, but I’ll have plenty of time to ponder that and research this winter. I want to add more flowers, but I’ve read that modern hybrids, especially those with “doubled” flowers, do not attract pollinators. So much for the gorgeous daylilies I’ve been eying.

Now if I could only figure out how to outwit that groundhog that’s been eating my flower buds…

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through the end of October at High Rock Park.

 

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: Gardening, Saratoga Farmers' Market

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We are the mall until 1:30 today! #saratogafarme We are the mall until 1:30 today! 
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #smallbusinesssaturdaymarket
This week’s vendor specials for the market in ce This week’s vendor specials for the market in celebration of Small Business Saturday.
Saturday - 9:30 to 1:30 at Wilton Mall in the
Food court!
Sweet Treats by Jennifer:
Holiday cookie flavors are here! We'll have our red velvet cookies, decadent millionaire bars and many other delicious sweet treats for you to enjoy
Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm:
Scotch Ridge will be in the market with our farm made all natural Christmas wreaths, Door Swags, Garland, Kissing Balls and pre decorated Table Top Trees.  All greens and trees (like everything) from our farm are produced with no pesticides or herbicides
Jireh Organic Farms & Livestock:
Purchase $40 of meat - get Non-GMO Eggs half price!  GMO Free Pork: Bacon, Hams, Tenderloins, Hot Italian Sausage links, Breakfast Sausage, Ground Pork, Hocks, Organs and more!!  GMO Free Chickens (whole & cut-ups), soup parts, feet for bone 
 #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #smallbusinesssaturdaymarket #supportlocallymade #supportlocallygrown
We are very thankful for everyone who visits us we We are very thankful for everyone who visits us weekly. 
We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you soon!
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆
Gift shopping this weekend? Visit us for Small Bu Gift shopping this weekend?  Visit us for Small Business Saturday.  If you want to purchase a little something other than baked goods, produce, meats, and dairy consider these items as gifts or to go along with a Saratoga Farmers' Market gift card:
● Artisan cheeses from Argyle Cheese Farmer and Nettle Meadow
● Candles from Reliquias
● Dried florals from Halfmoon Harvest and Lovin’ Mama Farm
● Christmas wreaths, garlands, and kissing balls from Scotch Ridge Berry and Tree Farm
● Coffee beans and ground coffee from Nally Coffee
● Gift packs from Muddy Trail, Saratoga Peanut Butter, and The Peanut Principle
● Gift items from Eat with Aliens
● Handcrafted cutting boards and decorative items from Megs Media
● Handmade soaps at Saratoga Suds n’ Stuff
● Honey from Ballston Lake Apiaries and Slate Valley Farms
● Immune boosters from Awakened Tonics
● Maple syrup from Slate Valley Farms
● Pickles from Puckers Gourmet
● Pup treats from Mugzy’s Bakery and The Peanut Principle
● Wine and spirits from Galway Vineyard & Winery, New Scotland Spirits, Yankee Distillers, and Slyboro Ciderhouse at Hicks Orchard
See you Saturday!!! 
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #smallbusinesssaturdaymarket

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