The Monroeville Garden Club met on October 11, 2018 at the home of Jean Singleton in Monroeville, who served as the Hostess. Sharon Brewton was the Co-Hostess.
The program theme was "Bees: Why We Need Them" and was led by Chrissie Hines, Master Gardener from Mobile County Master Gardeners. Chrissie gave a fascinating presentation detailing how important bees are to our ecosystem. Most people know that bees are great pollinators for beautiful flowers, but did you know that bees are also responsible for pollinating one third of our food? This means one in every three bites of food comes from bee pollination, according to thehoneybeeconservancy.org. In fact, bees alone are responsible for pollinating over ninety different fruits and vegetables we consume every day! Foods like strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin, okra, broccoli, and asparagus are just a few of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy, and we owe it all to bees!
Sadly, healthy bee populations are declining rapidly. Pesticides, disease-spreading mites, and a lack of land due to industrial agriculture are just a few reasons bees are suffering, but there are ways we can help reestablish and encourage growth. Avoid pesticides with neonicotinoid chemicals, as they are toxic to bees and other pollinators. Over half of pesticides found in big-box stores contain neonics, so check labels for a "Protection of Pollenators" guarantee or simply buy/use organic pesticides. Import and/or encourage insects such as ladybugs and praying mantises in your garden, as they are beneficial in controlling harmful mites. Lavendar, Black-Eyed Susan and Rose of Sharon are just a few plants bees love, and bees will be encouraged to visit your garden if you have tasty treats for them. Swapping and planting organic seeds is a great way to ensure your seeds have not been exposed to pesticides, just be sure to leave an undisturbed plot of dirt somewhere in your garden for ground nesting bees. You might also make friends with a local beekeeper and volunteer your time. Buy local, raw honey and products made from beeswax. Getting up close and personal with bees allows us to see their direct impact on our community. Bees are so important in so many ways. Imagine a world without bees...pretty grim, huh?
After the presentation, members and guests were invited to a time of fellowship while enjoying some delicious treats. Fresh strawberries and grapes, mixed nuts, a pepper jelly cheeseball with crackers, and an apple pecan cake with a savory glaze were all on the menu. There were also beautiful cupcakes with bees iced on top, which were truly the bee's knees!
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| Co-Hostess Sharon Brewton (L) Hostess Jean Singleton (R) |
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| Cupcakes with Bees |
