POLLINATOR HIGHWAY PROJECT

We have approached you because your property sits along the super Wildflower Highway that we are creating. Pockets of the right plant life in our towns, cities and villages can be used by insects as they navigate our built environments. The good news is that gardening for insects is one of those activities in which less really is more.

The best thing you can do is not very much. Here’s an outline of the things you can do to help. All can be done without any special skills and none of them will take much time or effort. Follow our simple points in this page.

Segregating a small patch of your garden

You can help support many different species of pollinating insects by devoting a small part of your garden to native Wildflowers only. Not only will you be doing your bit but you will also be able to marvel at the beautiful colours and shapes when they blossom in the Spring. Our native flowers have specific pollen that insects thrive off. These insects cannot get it from non-native species, so it is important to stick to native flowers and trees.

Simply sprinkle a packet of NATIVE wildflower seeds in autumn or early spring. Scatter on bare earth (weed free/unimproved soil) in full sun and water lightly. Do not add compost and remove any grass cuttings or turn over the grass as they compete with wildflowers. Remember to buy only Native Wildflowers specific to your county. Even better, look at what wildflowers exist around your property and buy only those species! This will greatly enhance what is already there.

A tree can be a great addition to a garden, again plant only native ones like the small Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Goat Willow trees. If you have a big garden you could go for bigger species. Native fruiting trees like apple and pear trees are also a great addition to helping the ecosystem.

Giving up those nasty pesticides. Pest control!

Pesticides do more harm than good! Not only do they contaminate other flowers, but they destroy important and rare native wildflowers and insects. These insects die and don’t pollinate other wildflowers, which creates a domino effect on the whole ecosystem.

Pesticides also run off into the rivers, streams and oceans where they have a hugely adverse effect on marine life and human life as they get into the food and water systems. They also contaminate the area for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Things to consider if you have insect invaders:

• If they’re not causing any harm, leave them alone. It will save a lot of invertebrate lives as well as time and money!

• Let nature take care of pest problems. A predator species will do the work for you.– Aphid-munching ladybirds and lacewings,– Slug-hunting predators,– Worker wasps are great hunters of caterpillars,– Solitary wasps are predators of various insects.

• Strongly-scented plants like Marigolds, Sage or Lavender near vegetables/flowers can deter insects. Smelly nasturtiums also keeps butterflies away from cabbages.

• Create a polythene barrier around carrots to keep out the carrot fly and slugs. Or grow important plants in a greenhouse.

• Remember that it is the natural course of life for insects to feed on plant life.

• You can use natural methods to control pests and weeds, rather than using pesticides and herbicides.

Reduce your impact on the environment and wildlife:

• Cut down on your water use. – Water plants in the evening when less moisture will evaporate,– Get a water butt to harness rainwater for your garden.

• Choose native plants. Non-native or invasive species outcompete bug-friendly plants.

• Ditch the peat. Peat is harvested unsustainably and deprives insects of habitat. Try to instead leave the Earth the way it has been for millions of years, natural is always better.

• Leave the limestone; which is a habitat for invertebrates.