-Pollinator Field

Pollinator Fields

We are excited to announce that our pollinator field was accepted as an official Monarch Waystation!

In spring of 2015 we began a project to grow native plants in the field along Limekiln Road. This field is part of Monocacy Hill Recreation Area and is slightly over one half acre in size. There was already a nice variety of native plants growing there, but we wanted to enhance the habitat and grow plants that would be good host and food sources for pollinators. To our delight we had many insect species visiting our field this year, including Monarch butterflies, skippers, fritillaries! Thanks to our dedicated volunteers who have helped with all phases of this project.

The Following Photos Show The Progress Of The Project Throughout The First Year

The field is mowed once a year in spring to suppress the woody vegetation.

Over 500 seedlings were planted throughout the summer.

20 different types of seeds were donated by Mike and Jan Slater and nurtured as seedlings for a few months before planting.

Watering the seedlings

In June rototilling was done in 5 planting areas.

You are welcome to walk through the field and see the native plants and their insect visitors. Next year there will be even more plant diversity as our seedlings mature and bloom.