Wednesday 20 May 2009

a wildlife friendly potato plot


By the middle of May, the potatoes needs have been met: are all earthed up. It is time to check that the needs of wildlife are met in the busy plot.

So, look carefully and you'll see that I've transplanted verbascum, foxgloves and borage between the ridges to attract insects. Primroses have finished flowering and will be split and transplanted around the allotment when I get a minute. The cowslips are heavy with seedpods and I hope to see lots of seedlings next year.

The finishing touch will be to plant African marigolds between the ridges. They will be another insect favourite and their roots exude a chemical that prevents eelworm. That's if we can bring the plants on enough to plant out after this cold weather.

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