This week is National Pollinator Week, and the Master Gardeners at the University of Illinois Extension are taking action during this awareness campaign.  Their aim is to encourage gardeners to consider how to adjust their planting work to create a thriving ecosystem for pollinators.

One important component is having native plants in the garden.  Gwen Podeschi and Kathi Knope from the Extension say that well known plants such as cone flowers and black-eyed Susans are considered native. 

The Master Gardeners do their part to make getting these plants easy.  Together with the Illinois Native Plant Society, they hold an annual plant sale and also host gatherings and other events. 

Information on the Illinois Native Plant Society is available at www.illinoisplants.org. 

The Master Gardeners also appear sometimes at the Taylorville Farmer’s Market.  They are there to sell plants, provide advice, and even attract new members. 

As always, you can reach the Master Gardeners for gardening help and questions through their helpdesk by calling (217) 287-7246 or visiting their Taylorville office at 1120 North Webster Street.  More information on the Master Gardeners at the University of Illinois Extension is available at www.extension.illinois.edu/mg.

Gwen Podeschi and Kathi Knope appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.