Gardening on the Edge by Diana Wayland
Bees are in decline due to overuse of insecticides, both commercially and in gardens, and they and other pollinating insects are vital for the production of plant crops.
With more and more people increasing their intake of plant-based foods, the importance of maintaining and increasing plant food production, including in our homes, has never been greater.
Instead of using pesticides I try to ensure that my plants are in the most optimum health – not over-watered or under-watered (not easy!), with sufficient nutrients and space – because this helps them to fight off the attentions of pests.
I use barriers such as netting over brassicas to keep out the cabbage white butterflies and edging and windbreaking round beds to deter carrot fly.
I also feed the birds. They catch many of the insect pests and help keep the kailyard pest-free.
I have also started to develop beds of flowering plants within the kailyard to provide food…
