June 1, 2025

 In 2007, National Pollinator Week was designated by the US Senate to take place annually in June, as a way of recognizing the many contributions that pollinators make to our ecosystems and agriculture. Now in its 20th year, Pollinator Week is a worldwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about the vital role of bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other pollinators in agriculture and the environment.

This year, we celebrate June 16-22 and it’s a great time to think about how much our pollinators do for us, and what we can do for them in return!

 Without pollinators, we wouldn’t have many of the foods, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines we use daily. Animal pollinators contribute over $750 billion to our worldwide economy, and are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. Additionally, 90% of plants in the wild depend on insect pollinators to survive and reproduce.

 In addition to contributing to our food supply, pollinatorsand agriculture. Now in its 20th year, Pollinator Week is a support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, and support other wildlife. A butterfly, in addition to pollinating plants, may produce caterpillars that help sustain birds trying to raise their young. Other pollinators may perform the additional service of preying on garden pests.

 Bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, small mammals, and most importantly, bees are pollinators. They visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen and transport pollen grains as they move.

 Pollinator numbers are dwindling due to loss of feeding and nesting habitats, environmental pollution, the misuse of chemicals, disease, and changes in climatic patterns. Pollinators need your help.

What can you do?

 Please reduce your use of pesticides and poisons, plant gardens for pollinators, and spread the word! Plan sustainable pollinator habitats, build bee hotels, register your yard as a Monarch Waystation or certified habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

 Use your voice in your community and on social media to recognize pollinators and the things you are doing to sustain them and their habitats! Post pictures of pollinators and identify them.

 Participate in activities provided by Marion County Master Gardeners. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to find educational opportunities, including a monthly tour of our Demonstration Gardens and Nursery at the Marion county Extension Service at 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd. Call or visit our Main Plant Clinic for help with your gardening questions - Friday 9A-4P (same address) 352 671-8400.

 Subscribe to our twice monthly newsletter by using the qr code included here.

 For more information visit: Pollinators Under Pressure

Squash Bees

Karen Rogers - Master Gardener

 The bee pictured in the Pollinator.org poster (above) is a Squash bee. Unlike many bees, it is a 'specialist' - it pollinates Cucurbita - squashes, zucchini, pumpkins, and gourds.

 They are predominantly orange with black markings and a face that sticks out, like a snout. Squash Bees are active during the morning hours before other pollinators are out & about, spending the rest of the day sleeping in the closed flowers.

 They live in the ground nearby the squash patches, or even in the patches. The female bees dig the downward tunnels. The nest has numerous brood cells off the main tunnel. This is where the female deposits the larvae, pollen, and nectar. This brood will be next year’s adults.

 Now that you’ve been introduced to this busy bee, you might ask how can I help it.

• Plant squash (Cucurbita)
• Reduce or eliminate pesticides
• Reduce soil disturbance

 Another way to support this little pollinator is to “Shop Local”. Support your local farmers and produce markets, many of them are trying to protect pollinators through their practices.

Happy Harbingers of Summer

Anne Lambrecht - Master Gardener

Photo Credit: Tom Murray

 Sunflowers are a true American native – one of the few food crops to originate in North America.

 Known botanically as Helianthus Annus (which means Sun Annual) the name is believed to have originated from the connection of the plant to the sun, both in looks and behavior.   At a glance, a sunflower does look like the sun…a round circle with bright yellow fiery beams coming out all around. But what’s really cool is the sunflower actually tracks the sun’s position in the sky. Their heads point east toward the sun in the morning. During the day, motor cells in the sunflower’s stem tilt the flower to try to receive the maximum amount of sunlight. By evening, the sunflower’s head is pointing west, towards the sunset. Overnight, the sunflower will reset to its original eastward position.

 There are close to 60 species of sunflower and a single sunflower head has hundreds of tiny florets. The yellow petals are actually protective leaves that cover the center of the head while it is growing. The brown center of the sunflower is composed of a mass of hundreds of flowers all growing individually and from where each sunflower seed will originate. The seeds on some have dizzying geometric shapes.

 Other cultivars include the native beach sunflower, the aggressive Bolivian sunflower, and “Sun chokes” or Jerusalem artichokes.

 For more information, visit this UF/IFAS Blog by Ralph E. Mitchell, Director/Horticulture Agent for the UF/IFAS Charlotte County Extension Service.

Sunflower – fun-flower! - UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County

You May Not Be Familiar with This Pollinator....

 This beautiful plant will probably not survive.  It has wanted to grow beyond the size of the pot and is now 'rootbound/potbound' These matted roots are not able to adequately absorb water and nutrients.

 When shopping for plants, always check the bottom of the pot for protruding roots - and check the surface soil for any evidence of roots 'circling' the pot.

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.