Our greenhouse is usually stuffed full of over wintering salvias, seedlings, cuttings etc, but I will plant more crocuses to have in our covered open porch. I too wish I could squeeze in an mahonia, maybe a plant rethink is needed!
I was looking at crocus bulbs at the garden centre and wondering which ones were best for bees. Also, I was wondering if open ended cloches would be helpful to keep heavy rain off the flowers? I only have a small garden but I can provide pots of spring flowers.
I’m in a rented house at the moment while we renovate an old farmhouse. I was astounded by the number of bumbles of many sorts that worked over the early comfrey here every day in early spring. It’s not a plant I’ve grown before, it’s not very eye catching but I shall certainly include it in my new garden. Love the idea of an open greenhouse, wish I had one, it’s on the list. Some good ideas here. Thank you
Just finished listening to 'One garden against the world,' yesterday, and with this column today am feeling super motivated to try practical solutions. You're a marvel. X
I can't stress enough what a great plant Winter Honeysuckle is, if you have the space for it (it doesn't have to be huge but it's more of a shrub than a climber). Mine flowered for *months* throughout the winter and into spring and the bumblebees adored it.
Thanks for the inspiration Kate, I’ll be adding greenhouse crocus and some straw for certain. I introduced a range of winter heathers last year that are looking good. Totally agree about the crocus and the rain. Mine that were in the ground got hammered last spring.
I got mine from crocus but there are a few options online and if you look through the comments, Peter nyssen sells them without neonics and has an offer on at the moment
I've just discovered your Substack. Thank you for these ideas Kate. I've forwarded this to some friends who will be interested in stepping up for bumblebees.
I recently took on an allotment and have been investigating how I can introduce more pollinators. I hadn't considered year round requirements so I'm going to consider how this affects my planting plan. (And take this as an excuse to get some hellebores which I love, and crocuses).
Between the garden, greenhouse and allotment, I think I've planted pretty much everything on the list apart from Mahonia (too big for the 9 x 6m garden)
I'm definately doing pots of crocus this year but I'll put them somewhere where the squirrels won't try digging them up when stashing their food! Why didn't I think of the greenhouse before?
What a great idea. We’ve plenty of hellebores, pulmonaria and our meadow area is full of cowslips but they were later this year due to the wet. Have got primrose seed I desperately
need to sow and will definitely try using the greenhouse for crocuses. I too need to find space for mahonia and clearly need to get in some winter honeysuckle. There’s always more we can do. Thank you.
I have planted a Kilmarnock willow earlier this year and have created a big wildflower meadow where old farmyard/buildings/concrete pads used to be. Now at end of 2nd year. Planting cowslips and primroses and will look at the other suggestions for spring flowers. Thank you!
Kate this is such a good idea- my crocuses were terrible this year, flattened and disintegrated immediately by the rain.
Thanks Jo, yep all mine too. Bad for us and bad for the bees!
Hoping against hope that this coming year will be better
🤞🏼
Worth noting that Peter Nyssen’s bulbs are not treated with neonics.
I’ve moved over to buying from them for this reason
Ha and I’ve just had an email that Peter Nyssen is offering 25 free crocus with orders over £25!
Love the idea of using my greenhouse this way! I'm going to give it a go. Thank you! x
Yay!
Our greenhouse is usually stuffed full of over wintering salvias, seedlings, cuttings etc, but I will plant more crocuses to have in our covered open porch. I too wish I could squeeze in an mahonia, maybe a plant rethink is needed!
Oh I wish I was as organised as you Sophie! Your greenhouse sounds like my greenhouse of dreams 😂
I was looking at crocus bulbs at the garden centre and wondering which ones were best for bees. Also, I was wondering if open ended cloches would be helpful to keep heavy rain off the flowers? I only have a small garden but I can provide pots of spring flowers.
Cloches are certainly worth a try! Please do and report back!
Thank you for all of the work you are doing, I can’t wait to learn more and most importantly do more :)
That’s good to hear, thank you!
I’m in a rented house at the moment while we renovate an old farmhouse. I was astounded by the number of bumbles of many sorts that worked over the early comfrey here every day in early spring. It’s not a plant I’ve grown before, it’s not very eye catching but I shall certainly include it in my new garden. Love the idea of an open greenhouse, wish I had one, it’s on the list. Some good ideas here. Thank you
Just finished listening to 'One garden against the world,' yesterday, and with this column today am feeling super motivated to try practical solutions. You're a marvel. X
Aw thanks Wendy!
I can't stress enough what a great plant Winter Honeysuckle is, if you have the space for it (it doesn't have to be huge but it's more of a shrub than a climber). Mine flowered for *months* throughout the winter and into spring and the bumblebees adored it.
Yep, it’s great. It’s my go-to plant to move grounded bumblebees to in late winter/early spring.
Thanks for the inspiration Kate, I’ll be adding greenhouse crocus and some straw for certain. I introduced a range of winter heathers last year that are looking good. Totally agree about the crocus and the rain. Mine that were in the ground got hammered last spring.
Never had a greenhouse but recently got a mini one. Good opportunity to try this. 🤗
Great idea Kate which I’m totally going to do. Where do you get your organic bulbs/corms from please? 🤔
I got mine from crocus but there are a few options online and if you look through the comments, Peter nyssen sells them without neonics and has an offer on at the moment
I've just discovered your Substack. Thank you for these ideas Kate. I've forwarded this to some friends who will be interested in stepping up for bumblebees.
I recently took on an allotment and have been investigating how I can introduce more pollinators. I hadn't considered year round requirements so I'm going to consider how this affects my planting plan. (And take this as an excuse to get some hellebores which I love, and crocuses).
Brilliant 🫶
Between the garden, greenhouse and allotment, I think I've planted pretty much everything on the list apart from Mahonia (too big for the 9 x 6m garden)
I'm definately doing pots of crocus this year but I'll put them somewhere where the squirrels won't try digging them up when stashing their food! Why didn't I think of the greenhouse before?
Thanks for the heads up Kate.
What a great idea. We’ve plenty of hellebores, pulmonaria and our meadow area is full of cowslips but they were later this year due to the wet. Have got primrose seed I desperately
need to sow and will definitely try using the greenhouse for crocuses. I too need to find space for mahonia and clearly need to get in some winter honeysuckle. There’s always more we can do. Thank you.
I have planted a Kilmarnock willow earlier this year and have created a big wildflower meadow where old farmyard/buildings/concrete pads used to be. Now at end of 2nd year. Planting cowslips and primroses and will look at the other suggestions for spring flowers. Thank you!