Bringing Beauty and Buzz to Your Allotment

By

lobelia and calandula in our pumpkins

The Benefits of Bedding Plants

 When you think of an allotment, your mind probably conjures images of neat rows of vegetables, perhaps a flourishing potato patch, or a vibrant bed of salad leaves. And while the primary purpose of an allotment is undoubtedly cultivation for consumption, there's a strong case to be made for incorporating something a little more flamboyant: bedding plants!

Often relegated to ornamental garden borders or patio pots, bedding plants can offer a surprising array of benefits to your allotment plot, transforming it from purely utilitarian to a harmonious blend of productivity and aesthetic pleasure. Let's delve into why these colourful annuals deserve a spot on your precious patch.

1. A Feast for the Eyes (and the Soul!)

sunflowers amongst the sweetcorn

Let's be honest, after a long day of weeding, digging, and watering, a splash of vibrant colour can be incredibly uplifting. Bedding plants like cheerful marigolds, fiery salvias, delicate nemesias, or trailing petunias instantly inject beauty and visual interest into your allotment. This isn't just about superficial prettiness; the visual appeal can boost your morale, making your time on the allotment even more enjoyable and therapeutic. A beautiful space is a more inviting space, encouraging you to spend more time nurturing your crops.

Marigolds in with our celery and brassicas

2. Pollinator Powerhouses: Boosting Your Harvests

This is where the practical benefits really shine. Many bedding plants are absolute magnets for essential pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Think about it:

  • Marigolds : Known for attracting hoverflies, which are natural predators of aphids.

  • Cosmos : Their open flowers are easily accessible for a wide variety of pollinators.

  • Nicotiana (: Especially the night-scented varieties, can attract night-flying moths, also important for pollination.

  • Verbena bonariensis: A favourite of butterflies.

By strategically placing these pollinator-friendly plants around your vegetable beds, you're actively encouraging a thriving ecosystem that can significantly increase the yield of your fruiting vegetables (think courgettes, beans, tomatoes, and peppers) by ensuring better pollination.



3. Pest Deterrents (Nature's Way!)

Some bedding plants act as natural pest deterrents, helping to protect your valuable vegetable crops without resorting to chemicals.

  • Marigolds (specifically French Marigolds): Are renowned for deterring nematodes in the soil, which can damage root vegetables. Their strong scent is also believed to repel whiteflies and other common garden pests.

  • Nasturtiums: Can act as a "trap crop." Aphids love nasturtiums, and by planting them near susceptible vegetables, you can draw the aphids away from your main crops. You can then easily inspect and deal with the aphid population on the nasturtiums.

4. Soil Improvement and Weed Suppression

While not their primary role, a dense planting of bedding plants can contribute to better soil health. Their roots help to aerate the soil and add organic matter when they eventually decompose. Furthermore, a well-planted bed of bedding plants will effectively suppress weeds by shading the soil, reducing the need for constant weeding around your pathways or less dense areas.

5. Extending the Growing Season's Charm

When some of your early vegetable crops are harvested, you might be left with bare patches. Bedding plants can fill these gaps beautifully, maintaining visual interest and continuing to provide pollinator support throughout the summer and into autumn, long after some of your vegetables have finished producing.

Getting Started with Bedding Plants on Your Allotment:

  • Choose wisely: Select varieties known for their pollinator appeal or pest-deterring qualities.

  • Location, location, location: Consider planting them along pathways, at the ends of beds, or in designated ornamental sections.

  • Companion planting: Research which bedding plants work well alongside specific vegetables.

  • Mind your space: While beneficial, don't let bedding plants overshadow or compete too much with your main vegetable crops for light and nutrients

So, next time you're planning your allotment layout, don't dismiss the humble bedding plant. They offer a powerful combination of aesthetic appeal, ecological benefit, and practical pest control, proving that your allotment can be a place of both bountiful harvests and breathtaking beauty. Give them a try – your allotment (and the local wildlife) will thank you for it!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Berry Brave Move: My Allotment's Raspberry Revamp in January 2022!

By
Image
 If you've ever had an allotment or even just a small garden, you know that sometimes a little strategic planning (and a lot of elbow grease!) can make all the difference. In January 2022, we embarked on a rather ambitious project on our allotment : moving all our established raspberry plants. Yes, in the depths of winter! Why the Big Move? You might be wondering, "Why move perfectly happy raspberry plants in January?" Well, like many allotment plots, mine is a dynamic space. My raspberries, while prolific, were a bit haphazardly placed and starting to sprawl into other areas where I wanted to grow different crops. On top of that, weeds and grass had become incredibly unmanageble amongst the raspberry canes , making harvesting a prickly nightmare and general maintenance a constant battle. January, though chilly, is actually an ideal time for such a task. The plants are dormant, meaning they're not actively growing, which significantly reduces the shock of being uproo...
Read more

An introduction

By
Image
   Growing an allotment has been a deeply rewarding journey for me, one that has spanned generations and created countless cherished memories. It all began many years ago with my father, who patiently taught me the fundamental methods and invaluable secrets of gardening. I still vividly remember him letting me have my very own vegetable bed in our back garden, where I proudly grew my first carrots . Those early days, spent side-by-side in the soil, laid the foundation for a lifelong passion that has now seen me cultivate my fourth allotment .      Later, my son Samuel joined me, and our shared time on the allotment became a truly formative experience. We spent several years nurturing our patch of land together, facing the unpredictable rhythms of nature head-on. From the sheer delight of harvesting a bumper crop of potatoes to the frustrating setbacks of pest invasions or unexpected frosts, every season brought new challenges and triumphs .We learned to adapt, t...
Read more

Allotment Cabbage: From Seed to Supper!

By
Image
            Cabbage is a really popular vegetable to grow in an allotment because it's so useful in the kitchen and can provide a harvest over a long period if you plan your planting carefully. Getting your own cabbages from the allotment to your dinner plate is incredibly satisfying. It's a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes, it's packed with nutrients, and with a bit of foresight and good timing for planting different varieties, you can enjoy fresh cabbage for many months of the year. It's a true triumph to successfully grow your own. Choosing Your Cabbage - More Than Just Green! Before you even think about putting a spade in the ground, consider the vast array of cabbage varieties available. It's not just about the standard green ball! Early/Summer Cabbages: These mature quickly and are perfect for a fresh, crisp crunch in summer salads. Think 'Hispi' (pointed) or 'Golden Acre'. Autumn/Winter Cabbages: Hardier varieties that can...
Read more