- Author: Anne E Schellman
This past week, the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners held a class about pollinators and the plants they prefer. Speakers from Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society helped the audience “meet” many local pollinators found in our county.
Everyone knows about honey bees, but many might not realize there are over 4,000 native bees in California nor be able to recognize them.
Pop Quiz
At the beginning of the class, one speaker showed the image above and asked the audience, “How many bees are in this photo?” Participants shouted out several numbers, but most didn't know the answer. Take a moment to view each insect and count the bees. How many did you find? The answer and insect identities are at the very bottom of the page.
Conservation
Education about pollinators is important so people can learn how to recognize bees and incorporate sustainable gardening practices that help protect them.
Our program plans to create a pollinator collection to have on display at events to help people learn how to recognize these helpful insects. We also plan to have more classes about pollinators throughout the county. In the meantime, you can consult the following pollinator resources.
Native bees and other pollinators
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab
Best plants for native bees and pollinators
Visit these sites for lists and information about plants native bees and butterflies prefer that provide pollen and nectar. Many local nurseries and garden centers also carry these plants.
California Native Plant Society
Plant California
Visit a Local Garden!
You can see a local pollinator garden by visiting the La Loma Native Garden located near downtown Modesto.
Answer
Six of the insects are bees!
- Fly
- Bumble bee
- Butterfly
- Sweat bee
- Grasshopper
- Mining bee
- Mason bee
- Honey bee
- Velvet ant (actually a wasp)
- Metallic green sweat bee
Special thanks to the Natural Resources Conservation Council and the Xerces Society for making this class possible. The first photo in this article is based on a study written in Frontiers in Ecology called Public support of bee conservation.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Summer and Fall Events, 2019
Ready to learn about local pollinators and how to welcome them to your garden? Take our Attracting Pollinators to your Backyard class this Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. USDA Scientist Kathryn Prince will introduce common native pollinator bees and butterflies found in our area and which plants they prefer. You'll also receive free milkweed and other wildflower seeds! Voluntary $2 donation asked. Sign up at ucanr.edu/pollinators/2019
Seed Saving Workshop Sept 19
Join us Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for a fun evening on saving vegetable seeds. Learn which seeds can be saved and how best to save them. There will be a hands-on portion, and afterwards you'll take home a mason jar full of heirloom tomato seeds, as well as seed packets of other heirloom vegetables. Cost is $5. Sign ups coming soon!
Vegetable Gardening for Absolute Beginners Oct 17
You asked, we answered! Several community residents reached out to us requesting a class about the “basics” of vegetable gardening. Comments included wanting to learn more about:
- How to identify your soil type
- How often to water and why
- Making your garden water efficient
- Which vegetables to plant and when
This free class will be held on a Thursday evening from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Participants will receive free a set of cool and warm season vegetable seeds.
Succulent Gardening Workshop Oct 26
Curious to know more about succulents? On Saturday, October 26, 2019 we're holding a morning workshop all about these colorful plants! You'll learn about different varieties and how to grow and propagate them. We'll also design a succulent garden box together. You'll take home plenty of cuttings to decorate your landscape!
Stay tuned for more information. This workshop is limited to 30 participants, so make sure to sign up as soon as you see it advertised to hold your space!
Never miss an event!
Follow us on Facebook or twitter @ucmgstanislaus or visit our event Classes and Workshops page regularly.
These four events will be held at the Agricultural Center in Modesto in Harvest Hall in rooms D&E.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
I'm excited to announce that we've partnered with Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society to bring a class all about pollinators!
You can sign up for our event at http://ucanr.edu/pollinators/2019 It's being held Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Harvest Hall Rooms D&E at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center.
Please join us for a fun evening of learning about native pollinators, the plants and habitats they prefer, and the best way to “invite” them to your landscape! Free wildflower seed packets for participants while they last.
We are asking for a voluntary payment of $2 per person to help pay speaker mileage fees.
Resources
Beyond the honey bee: Learn more about California native bees. UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. Taken from https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/blog/beyond-honey-bee-learn-more-about-california-native-bees on August 21, 2019.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
In our previous blog, we posted a Pollinator Quiz. How did you do? Check the answers below to find out. Please post your responses in the comments section, or reply to the post on our Facebook page.
Question #1: What is pollination?
Pollination happens when pollen is moved by an insect, animal, or the wind. Pollen moves between the male part of a flower to the female part of either the same flower or another flower of the same species. This is how fertilization takes place and produces fruits and seeds.
Question #2: Which of the following are pollinators?
- (European) Honey bees
- Flies
- Wasps
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Hummingbirds
- Dragonflies
- Rats
- Native bees
- Lizards
- Beetles
All the above are pollinators, except for dragonflies, rats, and lizards! You may have been surprised to see flies, wasps, bats, and beetles listed. These pollinators help fertilize plants, although some are more efficient than others. You can support these animals and insects by planting a pollinator garden.
Question #3: What 3 important things do you need to provide in your garden to support pollinators?
When planning a pollinator garden, keep these 3 elements in mind:
Food
Flowers provide nectar (energy) and pollen (protein) for pollinators. However, moth and butterfly larvae (also called caterpillars) often rely on one specific plant for food.
To attract pollinators when planning your garden, purchase at least three of each kind of plant species and plant them in a group. This makes it easier for pollinators to find the plants and to return to your garden.
In fall and late winter, nectar and pollen resources are scarce, so look for plants such as Knifophia ‘Christmas Cheer,' California fuchsia (Epilobium spp.), various species of salvia such as ‘Mexican Sage' (Salvia leucantha) and Gooseberry (Ribes spp.). You can also visit nurseries and garden centers to see what's in bloom during those times.
Water
Many pollinators need water for survival. Bird baths and fountains attract hummingbirds and bees and help them stay hydrated. However, make sure your water source isn't too deep, or the pollinators may drown. Add pebbles or stones to shallow dishes and floating corks to deeper containers.
Shelter
Moths and Butterflies
In addition to providing food for moths and butterflies, larval food plants also provide shelter. If you remember the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, these critters eat a lot! Make sure you have enough food, and be prepared to have your plants stripped bare of leaves if you get a lot of caterpillar visitors!
Native Bees
Seventy percent of native bees nest in the ground, so leave bare areas in your landscape for them. The other thirty percent nest in wood or a cavity created by another critter. Create bee boxes by drilling holes ¾ apart of various diameters between ¼ to ⅜ inches. To see native bee photos, visit the UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden page Beyond the Honey Bee. To create habitat for wood nesting bees, visit this Xerces Society page for directions.
Honey Bees
If you want to have your own hive, you can learn all about it and even take classes at UC Davis. Visit the Apiculture Courses page.
Online Resources
How to Attract and Maintain Pollinators in Your Garden
California Bee-Friendly Garden Recipes
Gardening for Pollinators
What You Might Not Know about Hummingbirds
Get to Know Common Local Native Bees
Print Resources
Frankie, G.W. et al. 2014. California Bees and Blooms, a Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists. Berkeley: Heyday books.
Jadallah, C. et al. 2017. Common Bees in California Gardens, UC ANR Publication 3552. (Bee identification cards, spiral bound.)
Shapiro, A.M., and T. Manolis. 2007. Field Guide to Butterflies of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento Valley Regions. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
You may have heard a lot of “buzz” about pollinators lately. Declining pollinator numbers have caused concern among gardeners in California, prompting them to ask the UCCE Master Gardener program how it can help. But instead of us just telling you about pollinators, let's test your knowledge about them with a fun quiz!
Question #1: What is pollination?
Question #2: Which of the following are pollinators?
- (European) Honey bees
- Flies
- Wasps
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Hummingbirds
- Dragonflies
- Rats
- Native bees
- Snakes
- Beetles
Question #3: What 3 important things do you need to provide in your garden to support pollinators?
Write down your answers and then read tomorrow's blog post to see how well you did! Our next post will feature the answers to help you plan a pollinator garden. Also, look for a free class from us this summer or fall on pollinators. Subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook and twitter so you don't miss it!