Chatham Mills
"Pollinator Paradise" Demonstration Garden

Photos and text by Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent.

In my work as an Agriculture Extension Agent here in Chatham County, I work with our wonderful community of small farmers who produce vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, eggs, meats, poultry, and much more for our farmers' markets, CSAs, and to restaurants and grocery stores like Chatham Marketplace. I also work with our local beekeepers and am a beekeeper myself. Of course farms and bees are closely linked, as over one-third of the food we eat relies on bees for pollination. I became passionate about pollinator conservation a few years ago and have been learning and doing educational programming ever since.

In 2007 I received a grant to establish demonstration sites for pollinator habitat. The grant was from a Chatham resident who wishes to remain anonymous. The funder was concerned about the loss of habitat in Chatham County and its effects on wildlife, including pollinators. I am forever grateful to this individual for allowing me such a wonderful opportunity to expand my outreach efforts to include field sites where I can do hands-on educational programming!

Sweat bee on Rudbeckia.

My overall goal for this project is to plant these demonstration pollinator gardens where people can learn about the pollinators we rely on and the plants that support them. These habitats can be on farms or in home gardens - every bit helps! In 2007 we established a demonstration pollinator habitat at the Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Plant to support Piedmont Biofarm which is on site. The habitat supports the honey bees and native bees which in turn pollinate the crops. In December 2008, we planted a pollinator habitat at Chatham Mills, home of Chatham Marketplace, Chatham County's local co-op grocery store. We will next plant at the CCCC Land Lab Farm in Pittsboro.

The habitat features native trees, shrubs, and perennials that provide resources for pollinators including bees and butterflies. A few non-native plants (mainly herbs) were also included because they provide important resources. I chose Chatham Mills as one of the sites because Chatham Marketplace is an important source for locally grown food, and much of this food relies on pollinators. I have also done pollinator awareness activities at Chatham Marketplace since it opened (see links below for photos of these events).

The main Chatham Mills pollinator garden was planted in mid-December. I am now working on designing the Phase II planting to fill in the parking lot island and also below the circular wall in front. I am also working on signage and outreach material. I will be doing pollinator conservation educational programs in 2009. This past June when we did our National Pollinator Week Celebration, I had to bring potted perennials in from my own garden to show as examples during my session. Next year I will have a whole garden to work with!

If you are interested in being on the committee to help care for this habitat garden, or want to be added to my email list, email me at Debbie_Roos@ncsu.edu.

Photos of Planting at Chatham Mills

List of Pollinator Plants at Chatham Mills
over 100 different plants, mostly natives; more will be added to this list as we complete Phase II planting

2009 National Pollinator Week Celebration at Chatham Mills

2008 National Pollinator Week Celebration at Chatham Mills

2007 National Pollinator Week Celebration at Chatham Mills and Weaver Street Market

Pollinator Conservation Guide

Photos of Pollinators

Plant Suppliers for Chatham Mills Project:

Big Bloomers Flower Farm
Sanford, NC
919-776-6597

Cameron Nursery
Carthage, NC
910-947-3911

Cure Nursery
Pittsboro, NC
919-542-6186

J & B Herb Farm
Roxboro, NC
336-599-0381

Mellow Marsh Farm
Siler City, NC
919-742-1200

Niche Gardens
Chapel Hill, NC
919-967-0078

North Carolina Botanical Garden
Chapel Hill, NC
919-962-0522

Silk Hope Nursery
Siler City, NC
919-663-5759

Watson's Nursery
Sanford, NC
919-776-3590

This page last updated August 7, 2009.

URL: www.growingsmallfarms.org

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