UUSD wildflower pollinator meadow produces first blossoms

Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware Landscape Committee volunteers are beginning to see the fruits of their labors in the UUSD native wildflower pollinator meadow at 30486 Lewes Georgetown Highway, west of Lewes.

The 25-by-50-foot meadow was created to attract and support bees, butterflies and other pollinators, many of which are threatened with habitat loss and/or extinction.

In spring 2022, the landscape team chose a solarization method to prepare part of their east lawn for the new wildflower pollinator meadow. Hardworking volunteers began the solarization process by covering a large dirt mound with clear sheets of 6-mm plastic in order to trap heat to kill grass and weed seeds. When the volunteers removed the plastic in September, the area was 95% free of grass and weeds, and ready to be planted with native wildflowers. Many thanks to Judy Pfister, Sussex Master Gardener, for excellent input as UUSD began planning the wildflower pollinator meadow and to UUSD member Maggie McLaughlin, also a Sussex Master Gardener, for guidance throughout the project.

Using funds from a mini-grant awarded by the First State Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc., UUSD was able to cover the cost of plastic sheeting, plants and miscellaneous supplies. They were also very fortunate to harvest many native wildflower plants from an area housing development that was abandoning its wildflower meadow.

UUSD’s landscaping philosophy is to work with nature, using native plants and avoiding chemical herbicides. The UUSD property has been designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, and the UUSD Landscape Team endeavors to uphold the principles of this designation.

Margaret Keefe, landscape co-chair, said, “We are delighted with the results of our hard work. Not only will we be able to welcome many pollinators to the area, but the three-season display of blossoms will add beauty to our property and provide a place for quiet reflection. Having created our meadow without using chemical herbicides is especially important because of our long-standing Unitarian Universalist commitment to environmentally sound practices.”

Linda DeFeo, co-chair, added, “We look forward to watching our wildflower meadow mature into a lovely natural garden where pollinators can find food and its beauty can be enjoyed. We encourage other area churches and organizations with a spot available, large or small, to consider creating a similar wildflower meadow.”

UUSD is a welcoming and progressive spiritual community with a faith rooted in love and justice. Their mission is to nurture spiritual growth, embrace diversity, work for justice and strive for a loving world.