We are so excited to be a part of Treefort this year! Find us on 12th and Grove March 23-27 – we’ll be in the booth with the enormous butterfly wings.
Stop by our table to learn about our programs, sign up for updates, and spin the wheel for free prizes! In the spirit of hope and growth, one of our prizes will be pollinator-friendly seeds.
Pollinator gardens help local bees, wasps, and other pollinators survive as the Treasure Valley becomes more residential — removing the habitat that once sustained these local pollinators.
If you don’t have a space to garden, feel free to participate by buying a large pot or planting container — these are easy to find at any second hand shop — and getting some planting soil from your local gardening or all-purpose store.
Planting Instructions:
Bee My Pollinator Mix:
This pack of various species of plants will help feed the bees from spring through fall with little watering required! All species included in this pack will grow 4 feet tall or less.
Plant them outdoors in early spring. Gently rake into the soil bed — using your fingers is fine — and drop the seeds into the indent. Then cover them. You’ll want to spread them between 3 inches and 9 inches apart, but it’s not an exact science, so don’t worry too much!
Bee Friend:
This beautiful, long-blooming, lacy-leaved annual has stunning purple flowers that unfurl like fiddlehead ferns, offering up a veritable smorgasbord of sustenance for bees of all types. This plant is especially beloved by bumble bees.
Plant this directly outdoors after the last frost — or right after Treefort. Use your finger to make a ¼ inch indent in the soil and drop the seeds in before covering with soil. Seeds should be placed around 6 inches apart.
Narrowleaf Milkweed:
Milkweeds are the sole food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Narrowleaf milkweed is native to the western part of the Great Basin. These dainty plants gain big showy blooms and narrow leaves also make beautiful ornaments.
Plant directly into the ground or in a pot outside in early spring (so right after Treefort!). Plant them ⅛” inch deep into the ground — just the tip of your finger will do— and space them between 12-18” apart.
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant:
This native annual grows up to 5 feet tall in a continuing skyward climb of translucent purple flowers that feed native pollinators! This plant is called the “Fourth Sister” in some native plantings and is known to lure insects in to pollinate the beans and squash. The leaves, flowers and seeds are also edible; use them to garnish a salad or soup.
Plant these seeds outdoors this spring. Place the seeds on the surface, pat them gently and lightly cover with a bit of soil. Seeds should be spaced 3 inches to 6 inches apart.
Showy Milkweed Instructions:
This North American native was nearly eradicated from ditch banks, putting stress on monarch butterflies who rely on it for food. This plant also attracts the harmless Red Milkweed Beetles.
You’ll want to plant this in early spring. Make a small indent with your finger (⅛ inch), drop the seeds in, and cover with soil. You’ll want to space the plants out between 12-18 inches apart.
Find us at Treefort!
Conservation Voters for Idaho will be tabling at Treefort Music Festival Wednesday, March 23 to Sunday, March 27 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. near the Main Stage, along S. 12th St, and W. Grove St. Come say hi and grab some seeds!