Thursday, May 14, 2015

RHS Perfect for Pollinators








A few years ago I started to get a bit of indigestion when I bent down to do some weeding.  I put this down to the fact that I ate a large bowl of porridge every day. Well you have to blame it on something other than age.  I only then got a twinge when I eat biscuits with my tea, so I don’t eat biscuits in the garden (It’s the saturated fats apparently) 

I thought I was on my own having to cut out the enjoyment in my life (if you can call a bowl of porridge enjoyment) but it seems I am not the only one who has or had heartburn when gardening.  There are loads of us that feel like getting the Rennies out when we are bending over to pull up a creeping buttercup from the soil. 

Heartburn and Gardening
I asked around and have been given some great answers. I’ll not mention the over the counter remedies people mentioned as these are only temporary solutions as the antacid alkaline causes the stomach to eventually produce more acid in the stomach, resulting in more heartburn. A manufacturers dream to get you hooked on their product!  These tips and ideas come from keen gardeners who have been afflicted at some time.

For a start, when you are weeding, bend the knees and keep the back upright. This allows gravity to keep the stomach more settled. It’ll also stop you from going dizzy. Digging after a meal isn’t recommended; leaving at least thirty minutes after eating is the norm.
Another suggestion was to get someone else to do the weeding, which probably isn’t that helpful, especially if you enjoy the task.

Most gardeners seem to recommend certain herbs to ease the stomach.
  • Ginger. This is good for all sorts of digestion problems.
  • Fennel seeds and mint leaves. These can be chewed slowly when working.
  • Mint tea or carrot apple orange and ginger juice.
  • Bicarbonate of soda. 1 teaspoon in a mug of warm water.
  • Liquorice. Either in liquid or sweet form could help.
Have a go at sampling the different remedies and I’m sure you’ll find one that works.

RHS Perfect for Pollinators
The Royal Horticultural Society have produced  downloadable plant lists to help gardeners identify plants that will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
Flying insects such as bees and hoverflies which visit flowers for their nectar and pollen perform a vitally important pollination service. Pollination is where the pollen from one flower is transferred to another flower, bringing about fertilisation. Some flowering plants are pollinated by the wind but the majority rely on this service from insects and without it plants would fail to produce seed and, in some cases, fruit.
Our wild bees and other pollinators are considered to be in decline. By planting nectar and pollen rich flowers over a long season, gardeners can help reduce this trend. In return, an abundance of pollinators will ensure garden plants continue to reproduce through seed and that many fruit and vegetable crops such as apples, strawberries and tomatoes successfully set fruit.

How to attract and support pollinating insects
Aim to have plants that are attractive to pollinating insects in flower from early spring to late autumn. Winter flowering plants can also be of benefit.
Grow garden plants with flowers that attract pollinating insects.
Avoid plants with double or multi-petalled flowers. Such flowers may lack nectar and pollen, or insects may have difficulty in gaining access.
Never use pesticides on plants when they are in flower.
Where appropriate, wildflowers can be an attractive addition to planting schemes and may help support a wider range of pollinating insects.
If you have the time, encourage bees by keeping honeybees yourself or allowing a beekeeper to place hives in your garden. 

There are lots of ways to make your garden as perfect for pollinators as possible
While the lists will continue to evolve and be improved on by the RHS, they represent some of the best cultivated and wild plants for gardeners to attract a wide range of pollinating insects.
A selection of Perfect for Pollinators plants from their free download include:

Wild plants
Common yarrow, greater knapweed, common foxglove, common honeysuckle, large thyme, white clover.

Garden plants
Caryopteris, sweet William, hyssop, common jasmine, English lavender,bergamot.

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