August 15, 2025

 Photo Credit: Pam Schmitt

Our own Marion County Master Gardener, Deb Mackey, has been chosen as this year's Pollinator Census Grand Marshal.

"We call her the Queen Bee,'" says Jeremy Rhoden, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Agent. Jeremy goes on to tell us that Deb has a reputation as being super passionate about pollinators and building native pollinator habitats. She has done an exceptional job leading our Master Gardeners’ Pollinator projects in 2024 & 2025!

 Being chosen as a Census Grand Marshal is a true honor and we look forward to having her officially open the 2025 Census on August 22nd. 

For a quick review watch "How to Count" - watch this video:

How to Count Pollinators for the Pollinator Census

And to see what's been happening locally to help pollinators - watch this:

(10) Video | Facebook

Count with Master Gardeners at one of our upcoming FREE "events". Follow the links to register so we know to expect you.

BEE BRILLIANT! A POLLINATOR ADVENTURE FOR KIDS

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1549424242619?aff=oddtdtcreator

It's All About the Pollinators!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1549314213519?aff=oddtdtcreator

Photo Credit: Pam Schmitt

 Marion County Master Gardeners placed this pot at the Main Library in Ocala. Additional pots will be placed at these libraries: Dunnellon, Belleview, Forest, Marion Oaks, Freedom, and Ft. McCoy.

 Did you know some pollinators do not travel more than 24 feet throughout their lifetime?

A simple pollinator garden like this could be their entire world!

Container Gardens

Karen Rogers Master Gardener Volunteer

 Gardening in “pots” actually is easy, great for small spaces, an easy way to brighten up an area, requires little experience, and you can grow vegetables, flowers, herbs and spices, …

 A great benefit of container gardening is you can support your local pollinator population. Pollinators are a critical component of a healthy environment. They keep plants blooming and producing fruit.

 What is a pollinator? The list of pollinators is probably longer than you imagine. We all know about butterflies and bees, how about wasps moths, beetles, birds, bats. For our discussion, we are mainly interested in the smaller pollinators, butterflies, moths and bees.

 All types of gardens can be incorporated in a “pot”. What you put in the pot depends on what you want to grow. Pollinators need two types of plants, host and nectar (grab a quick meal). Host plants provide a place to lay eggs and a food source to feed the larvae. Hosts are critical to pollinators so they can complete their lifecycle.

 An example of an excellent host is Native Milkweeds. The plant provides a place for Monarchs to lay eggs and feed the caterpillars while providing protection from predators.

 Examples of nectar plants is like the local diner, “drop in for a meal and move on”. Black-eyed Susan, Marigolds, Pentas, Salvias are just a few plants pollinators love, are easy to obtain, and grow.

 Many Florida natives can also be used in a container garden. The advantage to natives is they are adapted to local climates and provide the best source of nectar and pollen. These plants may be a bit more expensive than others, however, over time you don’t need to replace them every season and might be more resilient to local conditions.

            A pollinator garden, in a container, is achievable.

 August in the garden can be challenging. It’s Sooo hot and you are either getting too much rain or not enough rain. This is a time to be out in your garden area scouting. Yes, looking for critters. They seem to be rampant this year. You could find various scale, aphids, little beetles or weevils, or grasshoppers. It’s a good practice to scout in the garden at least once a week. 

 As you walk around, look for anything that looks different or the wrong color. Look for ants crawling up and down the plant or leaves that have been partially eaten or are curled. These are all indicators that you MIGHT have a piercing/sucking insect. There are a lot of “good bugs” out there so try to identify the critter as to whether it’s a beneficial or it’s bad. There are many critters that, in your garden, are neither bad nor good. They are just passing through, so no worries for your garden.

 If you do find aphids (you can wipe off with a wet paper towel) or scale (also use a wet paper towel) and if you want to spray, use the least toxic choice like an insecticidal oil or insecticidal soap. Do a little research online if you need to. Only treat the specific problematic plant. Treat directly on the critter when the weather is cool….(morning or evening), never in the heat of the day. Gently wipe off what you can and if you choose to spray with an appropriate treatment, you’ll need to repeat the treatment in about 10 days.

 Definitely scout to keep an eye on the plant to see if it is doing OK. Scouting throughout the seasons is an important part of maintaining a healthy garden. Plants are living things and they can get sick, just like you and me.

 For more information on biological pesticides use this site: 'ASKifas' - search for EDIS document ENY350/IN197.

Linda Johnson, Master Gardener Volunteer

UF/IFAS Extension Marion County is a cooperation between the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida to deliver relevant, research-based education programs that result in healthy people, healthy environments and healthy economies.