Planting seeds in the snow can help create ‘pollinator pathway’ in East Toronto
By KAT BERGERON
Local start-up non-profit group The Ground Crew is working to create a “pollinator pathway” to support bees and butterflies by planting the native plants which feed them.
In 2023, founder Erin Simpson started the initiative by cultivating those plants in her own backyard and then later harvesting the seeds to sharing with community members and neighbours. so they could do the same.
Simpson also hosts seasonal events throughout the year for residents to socialize, learn about the plants pollinators such as bees need, and to and make crafts. At the recent Christmas event, Simpson made sure everyone was able to have a take-home ornament, craft, or message in a bottle to help the environment.
“They are encouraged to take home or gift their ornament, and plant it as soon as the Christmas decorations come down, in the snow,” said Simpson of the Christmas ornaments crafted with seeds inside of them,
“They (the seeds) need the cold to thrive, as they are native to here and adapted to our climate, so the winter is actually beneficial to the plant’s development before the springtime. And that means more food for the bees.”
Bee populations have been decreasing for a number of years, most notably in North America and Europe, according to Earth.org, Reasons for the decrease are “habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change,” according to Earth.org.
Canada is home to about 2,000 species of bees, according to the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Toronto has more than 360 species of native bees, with the City of Toronto having an official bee called the Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee (Bicoloured Agapostemon or Agapostemon Virescens). The bee is yellow and green.
Simpson said that for Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, she is working on an event saying “I love you” to bees. On St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, an event to honour Toronto’s Bicoloured Striped Sweat Bee is planned. For more information on both those events, please go to The Ground Crew’s Facebook and/or Instagram pages. The goal of both events is to give residents a chance to collect the pollinator plant seeds and either plant them on their own properties or share them with friends to plant.
Simpson admitted that for many people, the idea of planting seeds in the winter snow does not make sense to them.
“The winter gardening thing is so foreign to people that they just really have no idea what I’m talking about,” she said. “It’s so confusing to people.”
All of the seeds available through The Ground Crew are native plants which feed pollinators and also support Canadian native biodiversity. The pollination of crops is crucial to the growth of many plants that feed the public, adorn gardens and protect Canadian flora.
“I try not to only focus on the pollinator aspect, because, yes, that’s one reason, but there’s so many reasons to also understand that it’s a Canadian local plant, too,” said Simpson of the seeds provided by The Ground Crew.
“They are made for our climate and can thrive without added pesticides, because they evolved here. They are low maintenance once they get started.”
For more information about The Ground Crew visit the links below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroundcrewtoronto/
Facebook:
