Dayton Nurseries: BEE-WISE

Jennifer Polanz

We’ve been noticing lots of communication from retailers to consumers and in the consumer media related to pollinators. That’s why we wanted to provide a couple of examples of how some retailers are handling pollinators in their retail space. Here, we get the rundown on the BEE-WISE campaign at Dayton Nurseries from office manager Amy Draiss, which includes signage in the garden center, free seed packet giveaways and educational programming. Stay tuned next month when we chat with Lisa LeFevre of Distinctive Gardens in Dixon, Illinois, about their pollinator program.

Can you tell me more about how the BEE-WISE campaign came about? 

Amy Draiss: We have decided to have a proactive approach in the education of our customers, even though there is no definite proof yet of what is causing the bee decline. We do believe, however, that the bee decline is caused by the hands of man. And, hopefully, with a few little changes here and there, we can all make a difference.  

Homeowners may feel helpless, but there are certain things they can do and watch out for to help with the bee population, including the limitation of certain insecticides and the planting of pollinator-loving plants. We are here to help educate them. 

We also have a seasonal produce market that stocks fresh local produce in the summer months. We know all too well how important pollinators are to our food supply and we are trying to get that point across to our customers. Luckily, our local grower houses several bee colonies right on their property.  

How will you do the contest for the seed packets? What’s in the packets? 

AD: The seed packets are actually a free giveaway during “Bee Week,” which I scheduled for the week of May 4. We purchased bulk honey bee pollinator blend seed from a local seed company and re-packaged them into
¼-oz. seed packets with our own labels. This choice mixture also provides seeds and nectar to songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies (see sidebar for a full list of the seeds).

Planting the Seed
The seed packet contains:
• Cape Forget-Me-Not (Anchusa capensis)
• Rockcress (Arabis alpina)
• New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
• White Upland Aster (Aster ptarmicoides)
• China Aster (Callistephus chinensis)
• Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii)
• Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
• Dwarf Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus)
• Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile)
• Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
• Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
• Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
• Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus)
• Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
• Scarlet Cinquefoil (Potentilla thurberi)
• Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)
• Sweet Mignonette (Reseda odorata)
• Single French Marigold (Tagetes patula)

Is there anything else attached to the program so far? 

AD: We did start the year with an educational seminar during our annual winter seminar series regarding pollinators on February 7. The description of the talk was: “A Common Bond: The Fascinating World of Insect & Plant Interactions.” The speaker was Judy Semroc and the photographic presentation focused on the interesting and inventive methods by which insects and plants work together to make nectaring and pollination a reality. In addition, tips for enhancing these processes in the garden was described and illustrated. 

It was a TERRIFIC talk and I heard many of the attendees mention that it was very informative. In fact, some said it was the best talk they have been to at the nursery over the years.
  
This year’s bee program consists of a dedicated “Bee Week,” the free seed giveaway, signage throughout the grounds, articles and our shelf talkers. 

The shelf talkers are new this year and educate the customers on the use of pesticides while bees are active.  

These shelf signs and stickers are on the shelf next to every pesticide we sell to try to stop the customer in their tracks to give them a little more insight on why their choices may or may not affect the bee population. 

How will you promote the program? 

AD: The program is promoted in our annual spring newsletter that goes out to our 19,000 household mailing list. The article regarding bees will be in this newsletter and the same article has already been printed in our local newspaper. We also will promote Bee Week in our newspaper advertising, as well as Facebook, email blasts and our Saturday morning radio show. 

Why do you think it’s important for retailers to address pollinators? Is there a common question or group of questions you get all the time about pollinators? 

AD: I think there is a lack of public knowledge (those not in the garden industry) regarding the bee decline. Unfortunately, I cannot say that our customers have really been seeking knowledge regarding this topic. I had asked around to several co-workers and they have not been asked any questions regarding pollinators or the bee decline as of yet this season. 

As retailers in the garden industry, it is our duty to educate the public on those environmental issues that may affect them and, hopefully, they can learn that just a few easy changes to their gardening routine can have a big impact on the environment around them. GP