[Pollinator] NPW - OH Pollinators of utmost importance for successful crop yields

[ladadams at aol.com]

>From Lancaster Eagle Gazette, Lancaster, Ohio

Pollinators of utmost importance for successful crop yields
June 26, 2009

    POLLINATORS are a necessity to us all but, in particular, to 
farmers, gardeners and land managers from all walks of life. They are 
necessary for fruit, vegetable and crop production worldwide. Without 
pollinators, food supplies would be greatly reduced.


Pollinators include not only the honey bee, but butterflies, moths, 
beetles, hummingbirds, bats and even birds and mammals - anything that 
readily can transport pollen from one plant to another.

Flowers produce nectar and pollen. The pollinators feed on the nectar 
and transfer the pollen from one flower to the next, which allows plant 
fertilization to occur. With fertilization comes flowering, fruit and 
the food that we consume.

How we plant these plants plays a vital role in pollination efficiency. 
If a pollinator can visit the same type of flower again and again, it 
doesn't have to keep learning how to transfer pollen to the same 
species of flower. This allows highly-effective pollination 
opportunities to occur, as opposed to the pollen being deposited on 
unreceptive flowers.

Another good rule of thumb is to plant with the bloom season in mind, 
thus providing food from early spring to late fall.

Always plant a variety of plants to support a variety of pollinators. 
The diversity of your plant species will determine the diversity of 
your animal species.

Various herbs and annuals are good for attracting pollinators. Mints, 
oregano, chives, parsley, lavender, zinnias and sunflowers are all good 
examples of plants to use.

Pesticides and their use can be extremely harmful to pollinators. Care 
must be incorporated into your gardening plan if pesticides are 
necessary. Companion planting and biological controls are healthier and 
safer options for the pollinators, plants, humans and the earth's 
ecosystem balance.

Planting plants critical for pollinators helps increase pollinator 
habitat and what biologists refer to as nectar corridors. Many species, 
not only pollinators, are experiencing difficulty in having enough 
natural space to complete their native function because of the decline 
in available habitat. Nectar corridors for pollinators are just as 
necessary as flyway corridors are for migrating birds.

As I stated earlier, the plants support the animals. The greater 
diversity we provide in plants, the greater our diversity of animals.

Fairfield SWCD has its own pollinator demonstration plot that can be 
viewed. This plot is located at the Hugus Orchard, an optimal place for 
pollinators to congregate. This plot is located on the east side of 
state Route 664 near the orchard edge. The clue will be to "look for 
some color" with the plants in bloom. Come view the plot to gain 
insight into how you can start your own pollinator plot.

Also, don't forget to take your pollinator photographs this summer for 
entry in our annual SWCD photo contest. Submissions are due to the SWCD 
office by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 21.

- Vicki Kohli is an education specialist with the Fairfield Soil and 
Water Conservation District.