Wed, Oct. 2, 6:30 PM, First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St, Greenfield

Larri Cochran, Master Gardener, pollinator advocate, and photographer

Do you want to learn how to put your garden to bed in a way that creates winter homes for pollinators, and ensures they have food in the spring? On Wednesday, October 2, Larri Cochran, Master Gardener, pollinator advocate, and photographer will give a talk entitled “Fall Gardening for Pollinators, Helping Bees & Butterflies Survive Winter.”

This free talk, offered by Greening Greenfield’s Planting for Pollinators campaign, will be held at the First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St, Greenfield, at 6:30 pm. The talk will be followed by questions, and refreshments will be served.

“Having pollen and nectar-providing plants growing right up until hard frost is important to ensure pollinators can load up on food before the winter,” says Cochran. “They also need shelter throughout the year, and food in the early spring.” Cochran is bringing lots of images that demonstrate how to achieve these goals.

Cochran is a sought-after speaker who offers pollinator garden workshops throughout the region. She is a Master Gardener, vice-president of the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and certified as a horticulturist through Berkshire Botanical Garden.

Her current garden work supports her passion for pollinators. She is a member of the core team of Western Mass Pollinator Networks, and co-director of the management team for the Northampton Community Garden, where she tends three plots dedicated to pollinator habitat.

In her gardens, she cultivates a diversity of plants that provide food and shelter for pollinators in all life stages—host plants for larvae, undisturbed areas for pupae (chrysalis), nectar and pollen producing flowers for adults, and shelter throughout the year.

“Pollinators need winter habitat and things like downed tree branches provide decaying wood where many native bees nest,” notes Cochran. “I am always careful to use plants and seeds that are free of the pesticide neonicotinoid, which is harmful to pollinators.”

Greening Greenfield’s Planting for Pollinators Campaign is dedicated to education and the restoration of healthy habitats and people. For more information on neonicotinoids, where to find clean plants, and more, go to: https://greeninggreenfieldma.org