Inviting pollinators into your water-wise garden

The June 2 meeting of the Valley of the Moon Garden Club will demonstrate how to create beautiful flowering gardens to attract pollinators, and do it with minimal water. 

And size is not critical –  even pots on a patio can be an invitation to bee, butterflies and other pollinators.

Having a swath of nectar gardens throughout Sonoma Valley and County, where butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators can find food, shelter, and nesting habitat will increase their ability to thrive.

One-third of all food and drink that humans consume must be pollinated by insects, which are in a steep decline because of pesticides and habitat loss. Every pollinator garden matters.

Gardening tips from Master Gardeners and tricks from old farmers will be peppered throughout the presentation by the speaker, Bonnie Brown. She is a 24-year Sonoma Valley organic gardener, has been president and VP of the Valley of the Moon Garden Club, and is co-manager of the Monarch Pollinator Garden, a public demonstration garden in the town of Sonoma. 

The meeting will be held Thursday, June 2, at Burlingame Hall, First Congregational Church, 252 W. Spain Street, Sonoma.

Meet and greet time is at 6:30 pm, with the meeting starting at 7:00.  Chairs are spaced and masks are by choice. Refreshments and a plant raffle follow the meeting. Garden club members are free and the guest fee is $5.