SAVE THE BEES
One major influence in Chef Heather's life was her great grandfather, Starr. He had a small farm in Independence, OH. He was amazing. He kept honey bees and invented cool contraptions and grew all sorts of food for the family. Heather loved helping him and he always told her that if we don't take care of Mother Earth, we are in trouble. He would say "show your appreciation by always being mindful of the impact of your actions" and "the way you choose to live your life has an impact on Mother Earth, both good and bad."
This influence - among many more in Heather's life and career- have inspired the Lucky's crew to celebrate Earth Day every year and show love and support for Mother Earth.
This Earth Day, Lucky's Cafe is handing out packets of wildflower seeds that promote pollination and support the honeybee population. Bees are a critical component of our world, in fact, according to the World Wildlife Fund, 70 of the top 100 food crops worldwide rely on pollinators like bees.
"YOU HAVE A BEE TO THANK FOR EVERY 1 IN 3 BITES OF FOOD YOU EAT"
DIRECTIONS FOR GROWING YOUR WILDFLOWER POLLINATOR SEEDS
Wildflowers are one of the hardiest, simple, and fastest-growing flowers available to gardeners. Growing these insect-friendly flowers is one of the most important ways you can help support your local honey bee population.
WHEN TO PLANT
In springtime, planting is best within a month or so after the final frost of winter. It is important to not plant too early; if seeds are planted before the final frost, they will be lost for the season.
If planting in the fall, make sure you plant the seeds after the first killing frost to eliminate any chance of germination. Planting in the fall gives you a headstart start on spring blooms
WHERE TO PLANT
While some wildflowers tolerate some filtered shade, only a few actually thrive in it. The vast majority are best in full sun. Wildflowers will generally grow in all but the most difficult environments. This means that preparing your site with fertilizer or rich sod is not necessary.
HOW TO PLANT
Clear the area and work the soil as best as possible before planting your seeds. Don't panic when some weeds sprout along with the flowers, this is normal when the soil is worked.
Mixing sand with seeds is recommended at a general ratio of 5 parts sand to 1 part seeds. A sand blend allows for more even distribution and also provides a convenient way to identify which portions of the planting area have been seeded and which have not. For a smaller area, you can hand-disperse the seeds. For larger areas, a seed spreader can create a better cast of the seeds.
After the seeds have been sown, lightly compress the seeds into the soil about 1/2" to protect them from birds and inclement weather.
AVOID PESTICIDES
The bee population is rapidly shrinking and pesticides are one of the leading causes. It’s been reported that more than 150 chemical residues have been detected in bee pollen. Be sure to skip the pesticides in your yard. For more information on how to protect bees from pesticides, read more here.
HOW TO CARE FOR WILDFLOWERS
Although wildflowers are pretty easy to take care of, there are some requirements to keep them looking their best. Remove weeds regularly to ensure your wildflowers are not losing nutrients. Water your flowers during dry spells. Deadhead blooms that are spent to encourage new growth.
Thank you for supporting this great cause with your patronage or support.
Big love to all!