PITTSBORO — If you’re looking for somewhere to go during th ese times of COVID-19, plan a visit to enjoy the beautiful flowers and pollinators in the Pollinator Gardens at Chatham Mills.
The garden beds, designed and maintained by Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos of the Chatham County Cooperative Extension, feature native perennials and vines that attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Typically, commercial spaces plant parking lot island beds with evergreen shrubs and trees. The seasonal annuals planted in highly visible areas add color to an otherwise drab look.
By contrast, the Pollinator Garden is continualy buzzing with life and changes daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally. As you drive through the parking area, you are greeted by beautiful garden beds filled with lush summer-blooming wildflowers, perennials and vines buzzing with activity.
The first garden you see is the “pollinator garden entrance” bed. There are also “parking lot” garden beds and lovely borders of perennials planted in the open lawn and picnic area located near the entrance to Chatham Marketplace.
After your garden walk, grab groceries at the Chatham Marketplace. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Marketplace features specialty coffees, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, premade burritos, rotisserie chicken, salads and other goodies. There are tables and picnic areas outdoors. Every Saturday from spring to fall, the Chatham Mills Farmers’ Market operates from 8 a.m. to noon in the open lawn area.
For more information, go to growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-pollinatorgarden/.