[Greengage]

The All-Ireland Pollinator plan was recently launched with over 68 both govermental and non govermental organisations signed up, I see that GIY has signed up to it but as gardeners what are you going to do.

Here are a couple of suggestions.

1.Plant some pollen-bearing plants, preferrably several different types. Bees need plants that bloom and provide pollen at different times through the season.

2. Allow some weeds to grow in your garden lots of them provide pollen and nectar.

3. Dont mow your lawn so often allow some areas to go wild to alow for ground nesting bumblebees.

4. Avoid tilling all your soil some insects need undisturbed soil to procreate.

5. Dont use insecticides.

6. If you have problems with bees moving in, consult your local beekeeping association.

7. Leave bumblebees alone if you find them nesting they will not harm you.

8.Submit data of nesting bumblebees to Biodiversity ireland.

9. Incorpoorate a wildflower strip in your lawn.

10. Spread the news and make others aware of what you are doing.

Read the plan: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/All-Ireland%20Pollinator%20Plan%202015-2020.pdf

[Keith g]

Ditto, I am going to follow this advice as best I can from next year onwards. I also have read of the concept of 'Guerilla gardening'

I like the idea of going around a few hedgerows and bits planting a few cornflowers , no harm done to anyone 😜