Do You Know Who's Pollinating Your Plants?

By Pamela Keene*

Hall County Master Gardeners will host two events on Saturday, August 22, to help residents of all ages learn about and participate in this year’s Great Southeast Pollinator Count. No experience is needed, and children as young as five may take part. Participation only takes 15 minutes and one plant. You’ll be providing vital information to protect the bees and insects that help produce more than 75 percent of the food we eat.

Photo by Jenny Burdette

Through the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, people can become citizen scientists for two days, August 21-22, collecting information that will be used to spot trends and taking action that may help reduce the decline in habitats. See event details at the end of this article.

“Many pollinators, such as bees, are in decline because their habitats are disappearing,” said Becky Griffin, UGA Extension staff and national coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. “By participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, you can help by watching just one plant in your garden for 15 minutes and counting the number and types of pollinators that visit it. Then upload your results to our website.” 

Begun in 2019 after a two-year pilot program through the University of Georgia, the initiative now encompasses five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Georgia. “The project has three goals: to increase the number of sustainable habitats for pollinators, to broaden the entomological literacy of our citizens and to generate data about our pollinator populations,” Griffin said. “It’s geared toward home gardeners, garden groups and schools. Really, anyone can participate.”

Bring Pollinators Home

Griffin encouraged people to create their own pollinator gardens so that they will have more food sources, shelter and places to nest.

“Native flowering shrubs, perennials, and annuals encourage pollinator visits throughout the growing season,” she said. “Select a variety of different plants with distinct characteristics, such as flower shape, color and bloom times. Group similar plants together to make it easier for the insects to find them, think bunches of three to five plants of one type. This will attract a nice diversity of insects.”

Adding colorful blooms to vegetable gardens can ensure higher production. Intersperse bright marigolds, tall zinnias and even sunflowers to attract more pollinators to food gardens and make them prettier. The bees, butterflies and other insects will help pollinate blossoms that will become the tomatoes, squash, beans and peppers to harvest.

Summer perennials, such as purple coneflower, Cosmos, Shasta daisies, bee balm, catmint, Liatris and various herbs like thyme, oregano and lavender add color to the garden. Blooming shrubs like chaste trees, panicle hydrangeas and butterfly bushes nearby will encourage visitors. In the fall, goldenrod, asters and bee balm provide color and plenty of nectar and pollen for insects.

It’s easy and important to participate in the annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Take just a few minutes a couple of days before the census weekend to familiarize yourself with how to report, review the 2026 counting and identification guide and sign up for the newsletter at gsepc.org.

If you would like to participate as a citizen scientist and count alongside Hall County Master Gardeners, please join us this weekend at one of two locations. Brief training will be provided. 

Event details:

• Date: Saturday, August 22

• Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

• Activity: Participants will spend 15 minutes counting pollinators on one plant of their choosing.

• Who can participate: Citizens of all ages; no prior experience required.

• Locations:

  • Hall County Extension Office, 724 East Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA 30501

  • Wilshire Trails Park, 849 Wilshire Rd., Gainesville, GA 30501

*Pamela Keene, a Hall County Master Gardener and Senior Writer for Lakeside News, graciously shared this article for our blog. Lakeside News is a free newspaper available in print at marinas, restaurants, and convenience stores throughout Hall County. Readers can also see the publication digitally at https://lakesidenews.com.