wildflowers and the allotment

[tiggersbounce]

has anybody incorporated a wildflower area and/ or hedgerow on their allotment? would appreciate any advice. my allotment is 300 sq yrds. thank you

[Mal]

Not yet, but it is my plan this year to finally install my wildflower half-bed (I had a gap) - going to have comfrey, borage, phacelia. Mostly for the comfrey leaves and generally to help the bumblebees.

I might bury some bumblebee nests in there too*. That's a good plan, well done me.


*old pots of 'Vanish', or E45 cream or similar, cleaned out, with a tube sticking in to the lid. Don't know if they'll use them yet.

[grahamhobbs]

I'd check this idea out with the Committee and your neighbours first, it is unlikely to go down very well unless you can convince them it is going to be well sited and managed.

[Amateur]

I have comfrey, great for composting! And borage (people think you're well posh if you out the flowers in a salad) and poppys. Am thinking about putting some more bits in but you're right about checking... I should do that really.

[tiggersbounce]

hmm, i hadn't thought about checking. there isn't a committe and as im right on the edge next to recreational ground i thought to put it there. i like the bumblee pot idea Will have to get onto the council representative to check it out. have borage in the garden. thank you all. X

[Keaniebean]

The other thing to know is that wildflower meadows do not do well in rich soil, so if your alotment has been manured or fertilised over many years it may not do so well, but I'm sure there will be plenty or wildlife attracting flowers like scabious which looks really pretty too, that you might use.