Bug and Bloom Garden

Celebrating the biodiverse world of mini-beasts and pollinating bees, Bug and Bloom in the MIFGS kids’ zone is brought to you by the Victorian Schools Garden Program.

Biodiversity has a direct impact on the world of beneficial insects and bees. Bug and Bloom encourages visitors to learn more about this microcosm and the fascinating mini-beasts who inhabit it. Perfect for schools and families, Bug and Bloom aims to get young green thumbs growing and explore the vital role of bees for food through a beautiful and immersive pollinator garden. Get blooming and buzzing with beauty!

Visiting the Bug and Bloom Garden, young gardeners will learn about…

The Power of Pollinators

As expert gardeners know, pollinators are some of the most important creatures in our ecosystem. Young gardeners will learn about the significant and important role they play making sure that plants can produce the fruits and vegetables that we rely on for survival.

Pollinators like bees and butterflies, help plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another through pollination. Without these amazing pollinators, many of our favourite foods like apples, strawberries, and almonds would become scarce.

Young gardeners will be encouraged to support pollinators by planting a variety of flowers in our gardens. The availability of flowers provides pollinators with various nectar sources. They’ll also be encouraged to create a friendly environment for pollinators by reducing the use of harmful chemicals in their gardens.

By working together, the gardeners of the future can help protect and conserve these important pollinators that play a vital role in our ecosystem and food supply.

Minibeasts: Helpful and Harmful

Have you ever looked closely at the minibeasts and critters in a garden? Young gardeners might be surprised to know that these tiny creatures play an important role in the health and balance of our outdoor spaces.

Some minibeasts are helpful. Bees, for example, are essential pollinators that help flowers and fruits grow. Ladybugs and lacewings feed on garden pests like aphids, which can damage plants. And earthworms help keep the soil healthy by breaking down organic matter and improving its structure.

But other minibeasts are harmful. Slugs and snails can eat your plants, while caterpillars can devour leaves.

Young gardeners will learn that these critters play a vital role in the ecosystem and shouldn't be eradicated. Instead, we can take steps to control their populations and limit their harmful effects. For example, planting plants that attract helpful critters and discourage harmful ones. You can also use natural pest control methods like companion planting or introducing predators.

Minibeasts and critters in the garden can be both helpful and harmful, but it's essential to understand their role in the ecosystem and take a balanced approach to control their populations. Bug and Bloom encourages young people to get outside and start exploring the minibeasts and critters under their noses.

Flower Power

Flowers, the most beautiful and colourful parts of plants, are more than just a pretty sight. They are essential for the survival and reproduction of plants and play a unique role in our world. Young gardeners will learn that, for starters, flowers are responsible for plant reproduction. They produce seeds that grow into new plants, allowing the species to thrive. Additionally, flowers attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which help to transfer pollen from one flower to another to produce seeds.

Each flower has unique characteristics, such as shape, size, and colour, that attract specific pollinators. Some flowers have developed intricate shapes and scents to attract particular insects. Moreover, flowers have a special significance in our culture and have been used for centuries to express love, gratitude, and sympathy.

In the Bug and Bloom Garden, children will learn that flowers are much more than just a beautiful sight. Flowers play a vital role in the survival of plants and hold a special place in our culture. So, next time they admire a beautiful flower, they’ll remember its amazing features and unique role in our world.

Bug and Bloom is brought to you by the Victorian Schools Garden Program and is proudly supported by NGIV, Haar’s Nursery, Shapescaper, Wheen Bee Foundation, Agriculture Victoria’s Urban Plant Health Network, Australian Growing Solutions and Super Bloom.

To find out more about the Victorian Schools Garden Program, visit the NGIV or VSGP websites.