Attracting Beneficial Insects

Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects: A really useful,article here to assist in choosing plants that attract beneficial insects. We currently have the following:-

• Taraxacum officinale — Dandelion - attracts lacewings, ladybugs
• Coriandrum sativum — Coriander - attracts lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies
• Foeniculum vulgare – Fennel - attracts lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies, trichogramma wasps, pirate bugs, damsel bugs and big eyed bugs
•  Achillea millefolium — Common yarrow - attracts ladybugs, hoverflies, trichogramma wasps,
•  Chrysanthemum parthenium — Feverfew - attracts hoverflies,
• Lavandula angustifolia — English lavender - attracts hoverflies,
• Lobularia maritima — Sweet alyssum white - attracts hoverflies, trichogramma wasps
• Mentha pulegium — Pennyroyal - attracts -hoverflies, trichogramma wasps, tachnid flies

The importance of having bird baths is also mentioned, we have four in the front garden and none in the back garden so should probably get some for the back too. We do not spray any pesticides and have noticed many of these bugs, increasingly over the years, this is a reminder of where we are at now and what we can do to keep improving.

Planted Today

Today I planted Fennel, Dill, Asparagus, Okra and Rhubarb. Meanwhile did some more chopping and dropping of plants that have gone to seed or are finished. Topped up the compost bins and noticed that the Fejoa hedge now has fruit and that the Passion-fruit vine has grown rapidly.  Also been watching permaculture videos and sites to keep educating  myself and visited Naragebup to find out how I can collect items to support this wonderful place.
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Ladybirds at Work

 I am so pleased to see the ladybirds, lizards and other critters at work in our garden. I have noticed that the ladybirds especially like the Italian parsley plants that I have let go to seed.

They also like the fennel flowers, and here I spotted one on the evening primrose. If the globe artichoke flowers I will be leaving it to dry and stay as last time it became a great natural house for hundreds of ladybirds. Sadly, I only found this out once I had chopped it down last time, a mistake I will not make again.

Flowering Fennel

Our lovely Fennel Flowers.