Hello CSA Members,
As I wrap up my last days at Frog Hollow Farm, I am trying to make sure the projects I have started live on. One of the final ones we’ve been working on for a long time has been the implementation of a pollinator cover crop through an agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Using the guidelines provided by the NRCS, we chose a blend of wildflowers that will be able to thrive in our conditions. One of the species we have had great luck with in the past is phacelia tanacetifolia. It’s a beautiful, delicate flower that bees absolutely love. It has a long blooming period, too. Other species we chose were globe gilia, California poppy, and lupine. The flowers bloom at different times, which helps to attract and keep bees here.
We are working with Gordon Frankie of UC Berkeley and his native bee laboratory, to broadcast these seeds in the orchards we think they will have the most successful germination. This means the ground can’t have too many established native cover crops or grasses. If you have been to the farm before, you know how beautiful the orchard looks with the grasses and weeds surrounding the trees, rather than barren, dead dirt. We are doing light discing in some of the orchards to give the seeds a better chance. We are also planning several acres that will be planted with new trees this winter, so the ground is clear and fresh.
While we love our honey bees that are kept on the farm, we are committed to helping native bees too. Dr. Frankie and his grad students have been doing research out on the farm for several years and have helped provide and care for bee plants here. The number of native bee species has continued to increase due to their work.
With the rains this winter, we hope that next spring will bring a beautiful bloom across our orchards, helping to add more diversity to our little ecosystem.
Best,
Marlene
