Plant biodiversity strips and make a bumblebee smile
This was taken at the smallholding of one of my tutors. It's an artichoke flower, part of the biodiversity strips he and his partner have planted around their vege blocks. It was early morning and the sleepy bumblebees were snoozing on this heavenly pillow. There were ten in the one flower.
I know people who seem to take pride in saying "I'm only interested in growing things I can eat." It's better, though, to take a more generous approach and grow things some of our friends can eat too. I'm talking other friends in the animal kingdom here. Because ultimately the beneficial insects I attract in and feed will thank me by pollinating my veges and eating/parasitising some of the bugs we don't like. :-) After all, there's no reason for the "goodies" to want to stay at my place if I don't put on a spread for them!
So this Spring, as well as interplanting companion flowers with my vege, I'm going to plant the bed under my lounge window as a biodiversity strip. Part of me may be saying "But that's precious vege space!" but I know that ultimately my vege (and my local environment) will benefit. I'll be using nasturtiums, allysum, phacelia, buckwheat, poppies, french marigolds, calendulas, lavender, borrage and an artichoke or two if I can fit them in, huge things that they are. I don't particularly like artichokes to eat so I'm happy to let them flower.
Should be a riot of beautiful colour. I guess I'll consider it growing food for the soul.
I know people who seem to take pride in saying "I'm only interested in growing things I can eat." It's better, though, to take a more generous approach and grow things some of our friends can eat too. I'm talking other friends in the animal kingdom here. Because ultimately the beneficial insects I attract in and feed will thank me by pollinating my veges and eating/parasitising some of the bugs we don't like. :-) After all, there's no reason for the "goodies" to want to stay at my place if I don't put on a spread for them!
So this Spring, as well as interplanting companion flowers with my vege, I'm going to plant the bed under my lounge window as a biodiversity strip. Part of me may be saying "But that's precious vege space!" but I know that ultimately my vege (and my local environment) will benefit. I'll be using nasturtiums, allysum, phacelia, buckwheat, poppies, french marigolds, calendulas, lavender, borrage and an artichoke or two if I can fit them in, huge things that they are. I don't particularly like artichokes to eat so I'm happy to let them flower.
Should be a riot of beautiful colour. I guess I'll consider it growing food for the soul.