information provided by South Suburban College
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (June 23, 2019) – This spring, 17 South Suburban College staff, Green Club students, and their families gathered to plant a special garden just for pollinators. The pollinator garden contains flowers and herbs that will benefit butterflies, bees, and birds by providing food and nectar sources, as well as plants where butterflies can lay their eggs.
Chores such as weeding, digging, removing sod, pulling thistles, and planting were shared among the participants. Cooperation was key to getting a total of 21 plots set up and ready for planting.
“One lesson we all learned was the importance of pollinators and that they are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day,” said Alysia Robinette, coordinator of the event. “Our pollinator garden includes flowering plants, water, and a resting place for insects. We focused on growing native and non-invasive species with continuous blooms throughout the season, and we used only organic fertilizer. Families can take this knowledge home with them and plant their own pollinator gardens.”
South Suburban College’s garden is now registered as part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. This year’s challenge asks participants to plant three pollinator-friendly plants that bloom at various times during the growing season—one during the spring, one in summer, and the last in fall. That way, pollinators will have food through most of the year.
“This year’s garden is just the beginning,” added participant Joanna Tassin, SSC. “Next year we hope to add another pollinator garden!”
South Suburban College is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.
