flowers for wildlife
Allotments are community gardens in the UK.
Ours is dedicated to food production and this means that there is not a lot of space to give to wildlife. A special effort is needed.
So, each year, we plant flowers among the growing vegetables to encourage insects. Simple flowers are best.
In 2009, our plan is to encourage self-sown borage plants to grow up among the potatoes. Borage is wonderful for attracting bumble bees. We will also plant African marigolds among the potatoes - 
they are a true 'companion plant' and enzymes from their roots are said to combat potato eelworm.
Our onions and roots will have alyssum (Little Dorrit) planted among them. This little low growing annual is very attractive to hoverflies.
The legume bed will be sown with antirrinhums (Snapdragons). Bees love diving down into the well of the flowers to load up on nectar. Antirrinhums are members of the legume family and so fit comfortably within the roation. The legume bed will also be marked by beautiful sunflowers.
Our brassicas will have the pretty little convolvulus tricolor. This is a brilliant flower for attracting hoverflies which, I hope, will help combat some of the brassica pests.
Now is the time to be sowing up seeds for a spectacular summer season that will brighten the garden and benefit garden wildlife.
6 comments:
I'm seriously printing out this post. I keep meaning to get a book on companion planting in the veggie garden. This is quite timely for me. I didn't realize the bit about snapdragons. I planted some around a blueberry bush near our potager. Will need to watch.
we've had self sown snap dragons for the past couple of summers. Last year we had a great display of pot marigolds which attracted lots of hoverflies and bees.
I hadn't considered the impact of companion planting on the rotation though. Thanks!
I love adding borage in spots around the vegetable garden (I think it's the one plant I forgot to order seeds for this spring). All sorts of bees do love it, although for us, it's strictly a cool-season annual, not liking our summer heat.
I need to sow some calendula and nasturtiums soon, too, although maybe I'm already too late for them.
But I do appreciate the production side of things, too, so the 'extras' definitely have to pull their weight...
Cheers,
Lisa
Lisa,
Thanks for the reminder about nasturtiums. They are definitely 'insect friendly' and their peppery leaves and flowers can be added to salads. I've never pickled the seeds, buy they're considered to be a delicacy in some parts.
Will try and get some seeds in if there is still time left.
Rob
Jayne,
Snapdragons are such brliiant little flowers. We had some self seed in the front garden years ago and they keep coming back. Lemon yellow through to burgundy red.
You can't beat 'em!
Rob
Gardenness,
Nice one! Thanks for the comment.
Cheers
Rob
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