It is well established that a growing area full of diverse life will actually support rather than hinder your plants. This natural web of life which includes insects, fungi, small mammals and birds, interacts to create a healthy environment for plants to function and flourish. A garden devoid of biodiversity is akin to a dark and deserted town at night: pest and disease trouble moves into the void and there is nothing around to help.
So how do we encourage our friendly, natural, vigilante garden helpers?
Two important ways: first, avoid using pesticides. Spraying will often affect ‘off target species’; if you kill an aphid, you threaten a ladybird. Second, provide a good range of diverse habitats for shelter and food throughout the year. Choose plants which flower, provide pollen and fruit throughout the year, plus leaf and shrub cover for shelter and hibernation.
MOST COMMON HELPERS
There are many natural helpers in the garden. Many, such as hoverflies and ladybirds are widely recognised, but others such as birds, frogs and beetles deserve more attention.
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Esta historia es de la edición June 2022 de Kitchen Garden.
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SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
This month, with sweetcorn, figs and blackberries on the menu, Anna Cairns Pettigrew is not only serving up something sweet and something savoury, but all things scrumptious
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT AUTUMN RASPBERRIES
September - is it late summer or the start of autumn? David Patch ponders the question and says whatever the season, it's time to harvest autumn raspberries
SOW GREEN THIS AUTUMN
Covering the soil with a green manure in winter offers many benefits and this is a good time to sow hardy types, says KG editor Steve Ott
A HISTORICAL HAVEN OF FRUIT AND FLOWERS
KG's Martin Fish takes time out from his own plot to visit a walled garden in Lincolnshire which has been home to the same family for more than 400 years
RESTORING THE BALANCE
The phrase regenerative gardening is often heard in gardening circles, but what is it? Can it help you to grow better veg? Ecologist Becky Searle thinks so, and tells us why
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld shares his expertise on using compost made from green bin collections with handy tips on getting the right consistency and quality
Celebrating Organic September!
In this special section we bring you four great features aimed at improving your crops and allowing nature to thrive
SEEING RED
Do your tomatoes have a habit of remaining stubbornly green? Or perhaps you're lucky to enjoy lots of lovely fruits - just all at once. Either way, Benedict Vanheems is here with some top tips to ripen and process the nation's favourite summer staple
NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!
Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try
A NEW kitchen garden
Martin Fish is getting down to plenty of picking and planting on the garden veg plot, while Jill is rustling up something pepper-licking good!