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The Five B's are pollinators - birds, butterflies, bees, beetles and bats! Most of us think of butterflies and bees when it comes to pollination, but we can’t ignore other insects, birds and mammals that play an important role in pollination.
Among other initiatives, planting pollinator gardens with host plants that support pollinators will begin to regrow habitat and support population growth of these species in the City of Vaughan. Scroll down to find more information on how you can create a pollinator garden at home.
Use these fun activities to help teach your kids about pollination and why it is important:
Vaughan residents can claim a pollinator-friendly seed packet by emailing environment@vaughan.ca with your full name and mailing address*.
The packets contain Golden Tickseed, Lanceleaf Tickseed, Blazing Star, Helenium autumnale, New England Aster, and Common Milkweed. All species, except Golden Tickseed, are perennials. One packet can sow approximately 4 square metres, however the seeds can be spread in smaller, crowded wildflower gardens/planters and still thrive.
General instructions: Sow native wildflower seeds into a prepared seedbed from early May through mid-June or in the fall to late October. Full sun is best. Wildflowers can grow 2 to 4 feet tall. Before sowing seeds, remove weeds by hand and loosen soil to 2.5 cm (1″) depth with a stiff rake, cultivator or hoe. Wildflowers germinate and establish themselves much better when planted into a bed of well drained loose soil. Scatter the seeds and let mother nature do the rest. Water if conditions are dry and continue to water during the first year. Once established the flowers should survive on rainwater. Provide irrigation in drought-like conditions.
*Personal information is collected under the legal authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001 c.25, as amended. This information will be used for the administration of this contest (to issue pollinator seed packets) and will become a part of Policy Planning and Special Programs files, where applicable. Questions regarding this collection may be directed to Policy Planning and Special Programs, City of Vaughan, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario L6A 1T1, 905-832-2281.
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Create a bee garden
If you are interested in creating specific habitat for bees, follow these general guidelines:
Policy Planning and Environmental Sustainability
Phone: 905-832-2281
Email: environment@vaughan.ca
Location:Vaughan City Hall, Level 2002141 Major Mackenzie DriveVaughan, ON, L6A 1T1