Two local businesses are partnering together to turn undevelopable space into a pollinator garden.
Local manufacturer Patriot Products is partnering with young entrepreneur Hattie Bennett to spruce up four acres on the company’s property while helping the environment.
A four-acre parcel at Patriot Products’ new location, 2011 Earlywood Dr, Franklin, will become a pollinator garden. That part of the parcel is a setback from train tracks at the edge of the property, so it couldn’t be developed. Rather than just mow it, the company decided to create a pollinator garden, said Jason Chrzan, marketing coordinator at Patriot Products.
In talks of what to do with the area, the idea of a wildflower area/pollinator garden came up and a partnership with local flower business Hattie Lou Blooms was created. To get the garden going, 12-year-old Hattie Bennett and her mom Kailee Bennett, reached out to a local Indiana Department of Natural Resources district biologist to explore funding and planting options.
District biologists with the DNR help landowners establish wildlife habitats on private property for free. Shannon Winks, private lands biologist for District 7, which encompasses Johnson and surrounding counties, worked with the businesses to tailor a seed and management plan specific to the area, she said.
“It’s important to do all the prep work up front and not just throw seed on the ground,” Winks said.
Winks visited the site and made an assessment in person. She tailored a plan specific to the project, taking into account established invasive species and moisture levels on the property. District biologists can do a vegetation inventory, help predict potential future problems with invasive species and create steps to prepare the site taking into account the equipment the landowner has available.
The biologists essentially write a recipe for landowners, Winks said. They can also help with offset seed and herbicide costs as well, she said.
The partnership benefits Hattie Lou Blooms in that Hattie Bennett can take cuttings of wildflowers from the garden to fuel her flower business, which creates fresh cut flower bouquets to benefit local nonprofits. The bouquets are available for individual purchase and on a subscription basis.
The garden is another way to help spread good in the community, Hattie and Kailee Bennett said.
“Certainly, it’s a business and Hattie is able to take home payment for her work and whatnot, but we’re also able to do a lot of good with what she does and I think this is just another extension of that,” Kailee Bennett said.
The garden also benefits the environment. It will create a habitat for pollinator insects like butterflies and bees and small game like rabbits, Winks said.
Pollinator gardens have multi-season plants, so there is something growing to benefit the environment during spring, summer and fall. The native plants will develop deep root systems that will help prevent run off and soil erosion, she said.
The pollinator garden will get growing this spring. Seed is ready to be planted as soon as the soil dries up, Chrzan said. Once they’re planted, the flowers may not be visible for the first year, as they take time to establish root systems before blooming, Bennett said.
Patriot Products primarily makes public safety equipment for clients with the military, police and fire departments. In that service spirit, the company gives back to the community when they can, he said.
“We’re just proud to have our new location and bring some beautification and more importantly pollination to keep everyone healthy and moving forward,” Chrzan said.
The DNR’s district biologists will provide assessments and advice to any landowner. The program is funded by hunting license sales and taxes on guns, ammunition and archery equipment, she said.
“The goal is to put wildlife habitat back on the landscape,” Winks said.