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  • #1

    Bees butterlflies and blooms

    I've just watched this program on BBC2 and it's got me feeling all militant about getting the local council to be a bit more bee friendly in their planting. For those that missed it the program pointed out that the vast majority of modern bedding plants are of no use at all to bees and other pollinating insects. I'm thinking of writing a letter or two to the park service to see if they can be swayed. Also, the council seem to wait until all the wild flowers on the verges near me are in full bloom and teeming with insects, before they sweep in with their mowers and reduce it to dead sticks.

    Maybe we should start a grapevine movement to help the bee too! If all of us growers left a little of our gardens or allotments to wildflowers, all our precious insects would have so many more places to feed. I'm going to ask our council to stop mowing the unused plots on our allotments. I have a feeling this will not go down well with the old boys who will complain about seeds blowing onto their plots. Nevermind..... grapes of the vine unite!!!
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  • #2
    I saw it too! I was pleased to see that some of my favourites that I have been leaving to grow on my lottie (cosmos, sweet rocket and poppies) along with my lavender borders, are actually good for the pollinators.
    But I have had some very snide remarks about the thistles and other 'weeds'
    Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Jeanied View Post
      I saw it too! I was pleased to see that some of my favourites that I have been leaving to grow on my lottie (cosmos, sweet rocket and poppies) along with my lavender borders, are actually good for the pollinators.
      But I have had some very snide remarks about the thistles and other 'weeds'
      Proof that people need educating. There'd soon be complaining if their bean crop failed because there were not enough insects to pollinate them.

      PS. Try planting borage because the bees go made for it

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      • #4
        If anyone wants sweet rocket seeds, pm me your address - I have a fat bag of them saved from last year!

        I have planted borage but it never seemed to do well - I think I used the richer part of the plot - maybe I will try some near the lavender!
        Last edited by Jeanied; 22-02-2012, 09:55 PM.
        Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by hailtryfan View Post
          Proof that people need educating. There'd soon be complaining if their bean crop failed because there were not enough insects to pollinate them.
          I tried planting flowers along the perimeter fence of our lotty site. Few people were interested, quite a few moaned about "seeds" and about "you should grow veg not flowers on a lotty" and one person weedkillered them.

          I said to anyone who would listen (they tend not to, don't they?) that vegetables need insect pollination, so year-round flowers are beneficial.

          Mind you, bees are a huge Health and Safety concern, no? All those people getting stung and sueing...
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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          • #6
            I've been watching this programme for the last three weeks. For some reason its broadcast date kept being put back, (it should have been on last year) but it's here now and has been very enjoyable. Mrs Snuffer looks after the flowers in our garden and she always makes sure those that she buys are beneficial to the bees.

            Don't forget the bees like the flowers on some of our veggie plants as well, particularly the runner beans. So us Grow Your Owners are helping the bees whilst the bees are helping us. Aren't we clever?
            Last edited by snuffer; 23-02-2012, 07:52 AM. Reason: Correct Typo.
            It is the doom of man, that they forget.

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            • #7
              Missed the first two episodes. Thanks for bringing it to my attention hailtryfan, and thank you catch up.

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              • #8
                My friendly local farmer has fenced off an 15m x 15m area for me to keep my hives

                I now have a warm fuzzy feeling as he's done it all for no money and without even asking for my help.

                I'm going to plant it up with lots of bee friendly plants so have ordered borage, valorian, hemp agrimony, betony and pleurisy root seeds.

                Think I'll do a bit of guerilla gardening near where I live too...

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                • #9
                  That's so kind of him. Hope you have a good honey crop this year.

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                  • #10
                    Borage sowed itself on my allotment last year - I didn't know what it was at the time but learnt since. I think it's a fab 'weed' - nice flowers, lush growth to shade out other weeds, bees like it, and it's the easiest in the world to pull up, despite having a tap root that would put a dandelion to shame. I hope I get some more this year.
                    Proud member of the Nutters Club.
                    Life goal: become Barbara Good.

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                    • #11
                      Two_sheds has just led me to this link, and you know the other day I was just thinking the same thing. We were going along in the car and I live in herrington country park where its meant to be full of nature yet when I looked at the vast hils along the roadside leading to my house it was just covered in nasty looking straw grass. I said to the bf why hasnt the council put bee friendly flowers in there? what are they using our money on? fair enough bees are protected but what are they actually doing to help? I dont think you notice this stuff till you start doing things to help yourself. Think Ill be sending in a letter to our council as our MP ( who lives 4 doors off may I add!) Is bloody useless!!!!! Couldn't arrange a pi$$ up in a brewery! Just likes to sit and claim back all the money he doesn't work for xx
                      If you want to view paradise
                      Simply look around and view it.

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