Alpharetta Hosts Pollinator Paradise Workshop Saturday

ALPHARETTA, GA — One out of three bites of food that you eat is dependent on pollinators. Scientists are worried because bee, butterfly and hummingbirds numbers are dropping. Improper use of pesticides and loss of habitat are likely to blame. You can help bring the buzz back by planting a pollinator paradise in your backyard! Join us for this free workshop on Saturday, June 8. The class will begin at 10 a.m. in the historic Mansell House in Wills Park, 1835 Old Milton Parkway, followed by a field trip to see a pollinator garden at the Old Rucker Road farm, 860 Rucker Road in Alpharetta. This fascinating program is hosted by The City of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission.

Everybody can help with this important conservation issue and enjoy the added benefit of seeing these creatures and how they can multiply your gardening efforts. All you need is a little bit of earth to plant bio-diverse, native species plants. Would you like to know more about how to plan and plant an assortment of plants that can create an all season buffet and habitat to support a variety of pollinators? They will need food, cover and places to raise their young. Some are very picky about what they need for each life stage.

The presenter is Ellen Honeycutt. She has an extensive knowledge of native plants and pollinator habitats. This class with give you the basics of knowing what to do to turn your garden into an oasis of nature that supports pollinators both as adults and in raising new ones. The class will cover:

• Knowing why choosing specific plants matters.
• Learning the key choices when deciding how to create your pollinator paradise.
• Evaluating your space so that you make the right plant selection for best success.
• Designing your garden so that it is beautiful to humans and insects alike.
• Maintaining your garden so that it supports pollinators year-round.

Register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-a-pollinator-paridise-in-your-backyard-tickets-62311954734 or by calling 678-297-6213. For more information about this workshop, contact Terry Porter at tporter@alpharetta.ga.usor 678-297-6200.