Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing at our pollinator airport! It's really exciting to see our hard work in action. Colorful flowers are opening before our eyes from seeds we sowed on a cold day in late April and the pollinators couldn't be happier. Keeping up with water has been very labor intensive, but fortunately we just received a much needed 2.5 inches of rain. We are continuing to add more plants, and we are looking at adding some fall bulbs to the garden as well. Our garden has already had quite the impact and has spurred curiosity and interest from several neighbors and community members. We're looking forward to what the rest of the summer has to offer. Happy Gardening!

Even with the unseasonably cold weather our group is off to a great start this Spring! So far we've planned out and tilled our pollinator garden beds and ordered seed. We sowed a pollinator blend mix directly and started some plants indoors. The bees have been busy buzzing around the dandelions near our garden as well! On Earth Day members of our team planted a Red Oak which is a great tree for pollinators. This tree will serve as the anchor for the garden. A few weeks ago we toured the local nursery and picked out native pollinator plants. Once the weather is a little warmer we will pick up our native pollinator plants order from our local nursery. We can't wait to see things bloom and celebrate our work with our community garden party later this summer!

2023 Des Moines Pollinator Airport Action Plan

Timeline: The Des Moines Pollinator Airport project will take place throughout 2023. Planning will begin in January with design, layout, and plant selection. Once the ground is suitable for working (approx mid April) site preparation will begin. After the last frost date (approx mid May), plants will be purchased and the garden will begin to be planted. We envision the garden will continue to evolve with additional plants added throughout the growing season. Throughout the rest of the growing season, the garden will continue to need attention with weeding and watering. Weather will be a determining factor on scheduling critical work days. Our work on the garden will culminate with a community garden celebration (date to be determined approx late August- early September).

Budget:

Plants/seeds
40%
Supplies (irrigation, hoses, small garden tools, etc.)
15%
Mulch (mulch, edging, weed fabric, fabric staples, etc)
15%
Water (water regularly until plants are established (June, July, August)
20%
Signage and community outreach/team bonding (community garden party)
10%

Impact: This project aims to have a substantial impact on our community. The site is located in a predominately low income neighborhood with a very diverse population. Our goal is to inspire neighbors and community members by demonstrating the numerous benefits of a pollinator garden. The garden will serve as a template and educational hub with the ultimate goal of inspiring others to create their own unique gardens. Gardening has been shown to have countless benefits, such as reducing urban blight, reducing groundwater runoff and watershed improvement, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, fostering inclusiveness, breaking down barriers, strengthening community ties, increasing self-esteem, and creating an overall sense of community pride.
Location: The Des Moines Pollinator Airport will be located at 1312 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, Iowa. This is a well suited location due to its proximity to a community center, elementary school, churches and zoo. This site is located in the Middle Creek watershed and is already home to an established apiary with bee hives which will complement the goal of increasing awareness of pollinators and the importance of preserving and increasing suitable habitat.

Plant and Seed Sources:

Blooming Prairie Nursery
17943 Cleveland St
Carlisle, IA 50047
515-720-8842
http://bloomingprairieiowa.com/

Earl May (Southside Des Moines)
7701 S.E. Bloomfield Rd
Des Moines, IA 50320
515-287-5727
www.earlmay.com

Goode Greenhouse
1050 NE 50th Ave
Des Moines, Iowa 50313
515-262-6504
http://www.goodegreenhouses.com/

Ted Lare Garden Center
2701 Cumming Ave
Cumming, Iowa 50061
515-981-1075
http://www.tedsgardens.com/index1.html

Timber Pine Nursery and Greenhouse
18863 Jewell Dr.
Earlham, Iowa 50072
515-834-2712