MARGATE - The city's green team, Sustainable Margate, is inviting everyone 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 to attand a brief presentation about the Native Landscape Garden outside the Margate Municipal Complex at the corner of Vendome and Winchester avenues.
The event commemorates recently installed signage identifying the variety of native plants that are indigenous to the Jersey shore. Sustainable Margate, with the support of the administration, Public Works and Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter, installed the native garden to demonstrate to residents the benefits of using native plants and persuade homeowners to consider native plants when landscaping their yards.
"We often choose plants for decoration rather than for their ecological benefits," Sustainable Margate Chairman Steve Jasiecki said. "Shifting our thinking to choosing plants for their ecological benefits will bring about a productive ecosystem that will support the wildlife that depends on these particular plants."
Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed. Lots of monarchs can be seen fluttering around the Margate garden.
Although attractive, non-native ornamental plants are not capable of providing the nourishment needed to support the local insect and bird population, he said. The Native Landscape Garden doesn't use fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides, and is chemical free, which is safer for marine life in the bay and ocean.
Local gardener and naturalist Bob Blumberg will discuss the garden and talk about basic maintenance and garden techniques. Green team members will be on hand to discuss some of the work being done to make Margate a more sustainable community.
Plant identification signs installed at the Margate native species garden.
