For the Record
On March 14, National Butterfly Awareness Day, several members of the Callahan Garden Club started a pollinator garden at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds.
The members and guests joined University of Florida Extension Agent David Hèbert and Master Gardener Volunteer Paula Schutte to prepare a garden plot and sowed wildflower seeds.
Hèbert taught a lesson on soil sample collection, soil probe utilization, sample preparation, laboratory paperwork submittal and pH sensor calibration/utilization. He gave a tour of his crop cover garden and explained how cover crops (plants grown for agroecological purposes) are beneficial. He showed an example of torpedograss (Panicum repens), a Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) Category 1 invasive grass, and taught how to identify and compared it to non-invasive grasses.
Schutte discussed the importance of planting flowers not only for butterflies and pollinating insects, but to help reintroduce Florida native plants into the landscape. Also discussed were the Purple Passionflower, a Florida native host plant to the Gulf Fritillary butterfly and the Zebra Longwing (Florida’s state butterfly).
With abundant sunshine, water and patience, the gardeners wait for the seeds to sprout and grow into a blooming bug buffet.