Chrisholm Native Pollinator Garden

Chrisholm Native Pollinator Garden. . Historically, this area was covered by forests. , Over time people were drawn to the Ohio Valley for its rich soil and abundance of natural resources. Settlers cleared the land to raise crops and farm animals. Further development brought homes, roads, monoculture farming and industry. The landscape has gone through drastic changes., Native species help restore the natural balance. , Planting native species helps replicate the lost ecosystem that made Southwest Ohio so rich for the indigenous peoples and later arrivals. Native plants attract and help maintain our native pollinators and beneficial insects. Nearly 80% of our flowering plants need a pollinator to reproduce. Local insects and plants have evolved and adapted together over many years. Native plants keep local insects healthy and thriving. They, in turn, feed local birds, fish and mammals., Suburban gardens can make a difference! , Native plants use less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than grass lawns and non-native plants. They have deep roots and prevent soil erosion. Native plants promote the health of our native pollinators - bees, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds - which are in serious decline. By adding native plants to your yard, you can increase production of native insects, which are the base of the natural food chain. Essential food for local wildlife promotes biodiversity and preserves our natural heritage., The millstone, used to mill grain in the early 1800's, was found on the Chrisholm Farm.