maximising biodiversity
Who wants to see unwanted nasties enjoying our hard earned produce? Not I! Great news for controlling those critters chomping away at your lovely lettuce...naturally. A diversity of plants in the productive garden, the ornamental garden and in the wider landscape, ensures a whole host of obliging bugs, birds and beetles.
My vegie garden includes such lovelies as cosmos and wonderful paper daisies. Lady bugs are encouraged to pay a visit, where they love to gobble up aphids, mites and other unwelcome visitors. Bees (and bumble bees in Tassie) are seduced by these flowers and can’t resist dropping in. While there, they get busy pollinating my edible plants.
I too am attracted by these delightful additions to my garden...I visit regularly, which ensures I’m there to detect any problems and take action early, rather than allowing them to establish and do more harm. What a great service they provide.
In the ornamental garden, the same rule applies: a diversity of plants encourages a wider range of birds, insects, etc, ensuring a natural method of pest control, minimising your efforts and the need for chemicals.
From a broader landscape perspective, a diversity in plant material is essential in providing food and shelter to our native animals, ensuring their longevity.
