Volunteer gardeners have been busy bees preparing a pollinator garden in the courtyard outside the Simcoe branch of the Norfolk County Public Library.
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The Simcoe and District Horticultural Society and Norfolk library have teamed up to turn the neglected beds at Governor Simcoe Square into a “teaching and learning” butterfly garden.
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“We’ll develop programming around it for all age groups,” said Julie Kent, Norfolk County Public Library CEO.
She said the library has thousands of books about butterflies, caterpillars and other pollinators they could incorporate into storytime sessions for youngsters. Older children, she said, could help do some planting. Kent also sees potential for members of the horticultural society to make presentations about various gardening topics.
“It’s not uncommon for libraries across Canada to partner with groups to develop gardens,” Kent said.
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A group of 14 volunteers spent part of last weekend digging the soil and removing invasive plants, including periwinkle and twitch grass. In its place, volunteers will plant native species.
The plan is also to mulch the compacted soil in several raised beds in the courtyard that contain large trees.
“This is a long-term project bringing together many talented, knowledgeable, and dedicated people with a shared vision for the space,” said Kent. “We want to ignite people’s imaginations.”
Kent said donations of native plants will be gratefully accepted, along with those willing to offer their expertise in pollinator gardens and “anyone with a shovel and hoe” willing to put in some volunteer gardening hours. Anyone interested can email Kent at [email protected]
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