Celebrating pollinators

June 16 through 22 is National Pollinator Week. We should all be aware of how important pollinators are for our food crops. We depend on birds, bats, bees, butterflies and other insects to pollinate 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicine.

Just to emphasize how important bees are: A million acres of almonds are grown in California, and two beehives per acre are needed for pollination.

What can we do to promote pollinators? Planting native plants will provide nectar for adult insects and food for insect larvae. Avoiding pesticides will help protect pollinator populations. National Pollinator Week is sponsored by the Pollinator Partnership and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.

Visit the Master Gardener exhibit at the Marin County Fair from July 2 to 6 to learn more fun and interesting information about insects.

— katie martin, UC Marin Master Gardeners