13.05.2020
As natural as possible: above all, native plants attract insects, and frequently offer them far more nutrients than exotic plants. In return, the industrious pollinators ensure that seeds and fruits are distributed and produced.
Pollen and nectar represent important sources of nutrition for many insects such as honey bees or numerous varieties of wild bees. And yet what do bees and bumblebees need in your garden? Without a lot of effort, anyone can provide flowering ornamental plants, grasses and herbs or a wild flower meadow so that these useful insects can find food. It is also possible to provide them with shelter – for example in dry-stone walls and deadwood hedges.
Creating a wild flower meadow properly
A small, specially-designed wild flower meadow featuring perennial or native plants such as yarrow, harebell, yellow chamomile, poppy, bedstraw and hyssop provide a display of sumptuous colour. And they attract many insects such as bees, bumblebees and butterflies. Frequently, a small plot in your garden is sufficient to provide for these beneficial insects. You might want to situate it in the middle of your lawn. This generates variety and provides an extra eyecatcher. Special seed mixtures are available for balcony boxes or for a little garden flowerbed. It is best to sow these seeds from April to July on a fine, crumbly soil. The surface should be kept moist, in particular during the initial four weeks, so that the seeds germinate easily. If it rains little during this period, or if it is especially windy, it might even be necessary to water daily – for example, using a
Sprinkler.
Those who possess a larger garden can also create a wild flower area, for example using flowery shrubs and woody plants such as broom, rock pear and mahonia or elderberry, sloe and hawthorn. They allow beneficial insects to establish themselves longer-term in the area. Ponds, dry-stone walls and deadwood hedges also support rare and endangered species. This helps not only insects, but also other beneficial animals in your garden, such as hedgehogs, amphibians, reptiles, birds or worms.
Mowing for diversity
Don’t worry: mowing and beneficial insects are not a contradiction in terms. It is particularly important to mow wild flower meadows in the first year, so that they flower as diversely and richly as possible. Through mowing, unwanted wild herb seeds are removed. This also leaves sufficient light and water for plants which germinate at a later time. The cuttings should be removed if possible.
In the following years, only mow once, usually in the second half of June. The optimum cutting height lies between 10 and 15 centimetres. One traditional but environmentally-friendly method is cutting using a scythe. However, you need a lot of practice to use one. We therefore recommend a cutter bar in case of very large areas.
In the Gardena Garden Magazine, under www.gardena.com, you can also find helpful
Garden tips not only concerning how insects can be helped, but also how small animals can be protected.
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