Thanks to the efforts of the National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN), its many partner organizations and the consumer garden media, the health and well-being of the nation’s pollinator populations have become a topic of public awareness and concern. Garden center customers are already clamoring for ways they can help build up local pollinator numbers. With National Pollinator Week coming up this June 20-26, garden retailers have an opportunity to meet those demands and spread the news to an even greater degree through events, focused displays and community outreach.
“National Pollinator Week was unanimously approved and designated as a week in June 9 years ago by the U.S. Senate in order to focus broader attention on pollinator health and the decline of pollinator populations,” explains Craig Regelbrugge, Senior Vice President of Industry Advocacy and Research for AmericanHort, a NPGN founding member. “Each year the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture signs the proclamation, and 2016 gearing is up to be the biggest celebration of pollinators’ vital role in our ecosystem yet.”
Pollinator Week is an opportunity for everyone in the horticulture industry to educate the American public, increase awareness of the role of pollinators, and supply solutions to those consumers wanting to do their part. “Garden retailers have a particularly important role in this, as they are where the industry and concerned Americans meet,” says Diane Blazek, executive director of the National Garden Bureau, a founding member of the National Pollinator Garden Network. “They also have the ability to make learning about pollinators and the seeds and plants that provide flowers, nectar and pollen for pollinators a fun experience, something that really helps the message stick,” Blazek adds.
Preparing for Pollinator Week
Greenscape Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri, has been a leading advocate and innovator in the garden retail industry when it comes to the pollinator issue. Through their years of experience working with community partners and engaging with customers, Greenscapes’ Jennifer Schamber and Tammy Behm have these tips for other garden retailers looking to make the most of Pollinator Week:
Connect with local suppliers of pollinator plants and seeds NOW. Put orders in as soon as possible for the most popular and most beneficial pollinator plants and seeds. Work from a list they supply or from suggestions offered by a local nature or wildlife society.
Find a community partner who will also champion the pollinators’ cause. A wildlife or birding society, gardening club, local public garden or zoo, local farmers—the list goes on. Find ways to collaborate on, co-host and co-sponsor Pollinator Week programming. The National Pollinator Garden Network has many organizations with local chapters.
Partner with beekeepers. Discuss ways the beekeepers can contribute to Pollinator Week programming, either with honey tastings, hive demonstrations or educational opportunities for kids.
Spread the pollinator message across all departments. Pollinator plants aren’t confined to just the perennial or nursery departments. Through signage, demonstrations and staff participation, consumers can plant—and pollinators can benefit from—agastache, zucchini and hundreds of plants in between, no matter the size or spot in the home garden or landscape.
Make it a family-friendly celebration. Sure, Pollinator Week is seven days, but pull out all the stops for a weekend (or two) of fun and learning. Bring in costumed characters, bee and butterfly exhibits and other things kids love. Don’t forget the parents—a local celebrity chef can cook up some honey-themed sweet or savory treats. Work with a favorite local farm-to-table restaurant for a “Preview Night” pollinator-themed fundraising dinner, with all proceeds going to a pollinator-friendly charity.
Bring in the media. Local television, radio and news outlets not only can help spread the word about your events, they can help raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.
Give away pollinator plants. While giving away plants might not seem to be economically sensible, both Jennifer and Tammy stress the importance of the power of giving and receiving a gift. “We do this at the cash register. It creates a purpose and an awareness to be a part of the solution,” Jennifer says. “It begins the dialogue between the store and the customer about the importance of gardening for pollinators. You’re making them feel empowered to take action.” As for the expenditure, Greenscape builds the cost of the giveaway plants into the marketing budget.
Recruit for the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. With the emphasis on pollinator-friendly plants during Pollinator Week, this gives garden retailers a perfect opportunity to let customers know that their home plantings for pollinators—whether it’s a patio pot, vegetable garden or landscaped yard—can count toward the million gardens the NPGN
hopes to register for the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. Signage that explains the Challenge is available as hang tags, bench cards and banners from Garden Center Marketing (online at www.gardencentermarketing.com/page/Pollinator-Garden-Challenge-Signage).
Learn more about Greenscape Garden’s techniques for telling the pollinator story in the AmericanHort webinar, “Bee Savvy: The Business Opportunities Behind Pollinator Awareness.”
The Pollinator Challenge
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge will hit its mark with the help of garden centers and nurseries who are communicating and engaging with customers, sharing the pollinators’ stories, and initiating action. The Challenge was established by the National Pollinator Garden Network, led by national gardening and habitat organizations American Public Gardens Association, National Gardening Association, National Wildlife Federation and Pollinator Partnership joined with industry organizations AmericanHort, American Seed Trade Association, Home Garden Seed Association and the National Garden Bureau. These organizations believe that helping our nation’s pollinator species survive and build their populations and contribute to our food system is a responsibility all Americans share. Join the cause at www.millionpollinatorgardens.org, or upload pictures of the garden to the mobile app GrowIt! using the hashtag #pollination.
About the National Pollinator Garden Network: The National Pollinator Garden Network collectively represents nearly one million active gardeners and 15,000 schoolyard gardens. The Network is challenging the nation to reach the goal of one million additional pollinator gardens by the end of 2016. The Network will work to provide resources for individuals, community groups, government agencies and the garden industry to create more pollinator habitat through sustainable gardening practices and conservation efforts.
About AmericanHort: AmericanHort is the horticulture industry’s national trade organization, supporting nearly 16,000 member and affiliated businesses that include breeders, greenhouse and nursery growers, garden retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscape professionals, florists, students, educators, researchers, and manufacturers. Our mission is to unite, promote, and advance the horticulture industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development, and research. The association has offices in Columbus, Ohio, for administration and member services, and in Washington, DC, to facilitate government relations and research activities.
About National Garden Bureau: Founded in 1920, the National Garden Bureau is a non-profit organization whose mission is to disseminate basic instructions for backyard gardeners and those who want to garden, that will inspire them to spend more time outdoors, enjoying all nature has to offer.
About American Seed Trade Association: Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents over 700 companies involved in seed production, plant breeding and related industries in North America. ASTA is the leading voice of action in all matters concerning the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world.
ASTA’s broad membership offers varieties from alfalfa to zucchini and all production types including conventional, organic and biotech. They promote the development of better seed to produce better crops for a better quality of life.
About GrowIt!: GrowIt is a mobile app that connects gardener to gardener like never before. It helps you find plants and ideas that work well in your area by connecting you to photos, comments, and plant information for plants in the same area using geolocation. It is free to download and join and can be found on the iOS and Android platforms. More information can be found at www.growitmobile.com.
Source: National Garden Bureau (NGB)