Garden Stuff

It’s been a while. It has been a rather sad time in the garden this summer. Firstly all the box hedges succumbed to box tree moth caterpillars. Then our county council sent a letter requiring the cutting back of our conifer hedge. So at the weekend it was completely removed. #GardenStuff

So for the last day of Pollinator week I would like to thank everyone for staying with me. I thought today I would offer a list of useful online resources. It’s difficult when folks are geographically distant to give lists of plants so I have kept it general. #GardenStuff

I would also like to mention taking part in citizen science projects if you are able to. Here at #gardenstuff we usually do the annual bird and also butterfly count. The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology ceh.ac.uk have several opportunities for citizens to get involved in monitoring their area.

So for the last day of Pollinator week I would like to thank everyone for staying with me. I thought today I would offer a list of useful online resources. It’s difficult when folks are geographically distant to give lists of plants so I have kept it general. #GardenStuff

Also I wanted to ask you if there is anything that works well in your spot?It can be anything, plant or item. Or is there some innovation you would like to introduce in the future? #GardenStuff

The help for pollinator posts today are some ideas from the internet for bug shelters. Made from whatever you have to hand they might be an activity to do with children. The structures can be filled with pine cones, shredded paper, straw, broken pot, sticks lengths of bamboo, leaves. #GardenStuff

youtu.be/MVxVicRXCFA?... #GardenStuff

The help for pollinator posts today are some ideas from the internet for bug shelters. Made from whatever you have to hand they might be an activity to do with children. The structures can be filled with pine cones, shredded paper, straw, broken pot, sticks lengths of bamboo, leaves. #GardenStuff

The first is a shelter made from an old coffee mug #GardenStuff youtu.be/r3aGjDr9jGY?...

Today #gardenstuff for the last of our pollinator series I’d like to talk about Beetles. The ancient order Coleoptera are the most diverse creatures on Earth with some 400,000 species known.

They are attracted to flat open or plants with clusters of flowers. Having a good sense of smell they are drawn to pungent smelling blooms Some beetles are also noted predators ladybirds can unwittingly transfer pollen while hunting aphids but will also supplement diet with pollen #GardenStuff

Today #gardenstuff for the last of our pollinator series I’d like to talk about Beetles. The ancient order Coleoptera are the most diverse creatures on Earth with some 400,000 species known.

Hoverflies are garden friends in two ways. They are just behind bees as pollinators and at the larval stage are a prodigious consumer of aphids. They are also in decline from habitat loss, pesticides and climate change. 1 #GardenStuff

A log pile or dead hedge will provide decomposing material for a larval nursery. Also (I like the sound of this) a Hoverfly lagoon. Instructions to follow but handy links for information. www.naturespot.org/gallery/hove... www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/wild-ab... #GardenStuff

Hoverflies are garden friends in two ways. They are just behind bees as pollinators and at the larval stage are a prodigious consumer of aphids. They are also in decline from habitat loss, pesticides and climate change. 1 #GardenStuff

The larva then pupate and turn into a adult that feeds on pollen and nectar they have short mouthparts and therefore like flat open flowers. Some good things to include in your garden are:- a compost heap or bin some larval stages will eat decaying matter. #GardenStuff

Hoverflies are garden friends in two ways. They are just behind bees as pollinators and at the larval stage are a prodigious consumer of aphids. They are also in decline from habitat loss, pesticides and climate change. 1 #GardenStuff

They have some neat tricks, they mimic more hazardous insects - wasps and hornets (Batesian Mimicry) but they are completely harmless. They are true flies and therefore have 1 pair of wings (bees & wasps have 2 pairs) #GardenStuff

The piece today might be a little controversial so for anyone growing I completely appreciate that this may not be useful for you. Globally there has been a significant decrease in butterfly and moth numbers the major causes are habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. #GardenStuff

To create a hydration station for butterflies you need a flattish dish fill with a mix of course sand and soil or compost and a pinch of sea salt or Epsom salts, add pebbles twigs or bark add enough water to make it damp and muddy site in an open sunny spot that isn’t windy. #GardenStuff

The piece today might be a little controversial so for anyone growing I completely appreciate that this may not be useful for you. Globally there has been a significant decrease in butterfly and moth numbers the major causes are habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. #GardenStuff

Fewer Lepidoptera will lead to reduced plant pollination. A reduction in caterpillars means that birds can’t feed their young and a healthy eco system becomes stressed. When planning a planting scheme for butterfly /,moths consider choosing local native plants some food plants #GardenStuff

As we are currently in a heatwave (UK) it seemed appropriate to talk about bees and water. Bees consume their body weight in water a day. Dedicated forager 🐝 scout for water to take back to the hive. In hot weather a hive can require up to 2 litres of water a day. 🧵 1 #GardenStuff

Once transported to the hive the bees regurgitate water which is used to regulate hive temperature and to mix with pollen or crystallised honey for feeding 🐝 larvae

As we are currently in a heatwave (UK) it seemed appropriate to talk about bees and water. Bees consume their body weight in water a day. Dedicated forager 🐝 scout for water to take back to the hive. In hot weather a hive can require up to 2 litres of water a day. 🧵 1 #GardenStuff

We can help by providing water in gardens or allotments. A pond with floating vegetation where they can perch, or dedicated water stations bees will also use guttering or gather round buckets if you make compost tea. In fact they may show a preference for ‘dirty water’ 🧵 3 #gardenstuff

As we are currently in a heatwave (UK) it seemed appropriate to talk about bees and water. Bees consume their body weight in water a day. Dedicated forager 🐝 scout for water to take back to the hive. In hot weather a hive can require up to 2 litres of water a day. 🧵 1 #GardenStuff

A pollinator is simply a vector that moves pollen from one flower to another. The main types are Insects birds and animals. Grains and rice crops are wind pollinated but the nutrient dense parts of our diet - fruits vegetables are 75% the product of pollinators #GardenStuff

Drone flies/ hoverflies hard working and a bit under the radar they mimic bees but don’t sting. Beetles an important and ancient pollinator. Ants also perform pollinating duties if you see them marching up and down a tree trunk that’s probably what they are up to. #GardenStuff

A pollinator is simply a vector that moves pollen from one flower to another. The main types are Insects birds and animals. Grains and rice crops are wind pollinated but the nutrient dense parts of our diet - fruits vegetables are 75% the product of pollinators #GardenStuff

Of Plants that give us vitamin c 90% are dependant on pollinators. Globally pollinators are in decline the statistics are shocking, (try searching for them in your area) worldwide 40% of insects and 16% of mammals are facing extinction #GardenStuff