Pollinator Garden

Envisioned by Doug Calhoun and implemented by Karen Prieto, with contributions from Doug, Sarah Harvey, Deborah Cravey, Barbara Snapp, and other Willow Grove friends.
Our goal is to build a self-sustaining source of food and shelter for the essential creatures that make most of our world's flowers and crops possible.

"A wide range of tiny creatures—from the showy monarch butterfly to the humble flower fly—is responsible for supporting 85% of the world’s flowering plants and helping to keep more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species going."
-Peterson, C. 2022, Jun 14. "How to Grow a Pollinator Garden." Birds&Blooms.

Original Bed

Most perennials from 2021 survived the winter! This triangular section, bordered by birch logs, is near the end of the garden corridor, opposite the pumpkin patch.

See below for close-ups of 2022 garden blooms.

Extension

Over to the left, a new bed was created via sheet composting
(aka lasagna method), and features borage and sunflowers in front of a native patch of "sunchokes."

Extras include catnip, creeping thyme (destined for the hilltop garden), and a wildflower mix from Holly Calhoun.

"Weed" Garden

The field opposite, for now, is a friendly-weed garden. The natively growing plants help keep carbon in place and contribute to general soil health. (If you'd like to learn more, consider watching "Kiss the Ground," an engaging documentary.)

Mixed in are pollinator-friendly plants such as buckwheat, squash, and several maturing milkweeds.