Back in the fall under his guidance we made "seed bombs" – a combination of clay, lupin seeds, and seeds of Joe Pye Weed. The lupin will provide food for the local bee populations in Spring, while the pollen from the Joe Pye Weed will ensure there is food available in the fall.
Today we learned about the bumblebee - one of the hardest and hardiest working bees around. Ric brought in a small colony of bumblebees in a secure box with a clear plexiglass lid so we could observe them up close. They have a fascinating life history... but the sad news is their populations are in steep decline in BC, Alberta, Washington, and indeed their populations are reduce by about 40% across North America. Loss of habitat and widespread use of herbicides are some of the main culprits.
Ric showed us the lupins that were planted last year and how the bees get their food from the blossoms, and in turn pollinate the flowers. This means the local populations of bees will continue to help with Loutet Community Garden.
We then went to the area right beside the Loutet Community Garden where Ric had prepared planting sites for our "seed bombs". Students planted their seed bombs in a fenced off area, with the hope that a new food source for bees will soon be growing right where it is needed: adjacent to the gardens.
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| Planting "seed bombs" in sites prepared by Ric |
