Plant for Pollinators and Increase Crop Yields

Are you READY???

What's the Big Deal about BEES?

Have you heard about CCD or Colony Collapse Disorder? "Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or European honey bee colony abruptly disappear. While such disappearances have occurred throughout the history of apiculture, the term colony collapse disorder was first applied to a drastic rise in the number of disappearances of Western honey bee colonies in North America in late 2006. Colony collapse is significant because many agricultural crops worldwide are pollinated by bees."

English Lavender

One possible theory...

Honeybee Deaths Linked to Corn Insecticide:

New research shows a link between an increase in the death of bees and insecticides, specifically the chemicals used to coat corn seeds. Source

Read A World Without Bees for info on foods that require pollination.

From a customer, "Monarch Butterflies are about the be placed on the Endangered Species list (thanks Monsanto!). If we all bought at least one package of these (Milkweed) with every order maybe we could help."

TROPICAL MILKWEED

AWESOME idea!!! Mary's Heirloom Seeds wants to help save the BEES and the BUTTERFLIES!

We always include a free pack of bee-friendly seeds with orders!

We found a helpful article:

Pollinators More important to Crop Yields than Fertilizer

"The critical importance of pollinators is exemplified in a recent study out of the University of California, Berkeley. Not only do pollinators help increase crop yields, they may be even more important than fertilizers, according to the study suggests."

"Scientists concluded that an almond tree can compensate for the lack of nutrients and water in the short term by storing the nutrients and water in the fruits instead, but cannot compensate for insufficient pollination"

Ecologist Alexandra-Maria Klein, Ph.D. and her colleagues at UC Berkeley found that when there is a lack of pollination, via bees and other pollinators, there is a stronger reduction in harvest yields than when there is a lack of either fertilizer or sufficient water for the crops. Their results, which were published in the journals Plant Biology and PLoS ONE, found that when crops were pollinated, the plants bear more fruit along with a change in their nutrient content.

What to Plant and WHY?

The simplest way to increase crop yields is to encourage pollinators to your garden. It's simple to do, easy to grow and eco-friendly.

BASIL and BORAGE produce flowers and are both companion plants for Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash and Eggplant.

Marigold is another companion plant AND it deters nematodes!

MILKWEED is the perfect addition if you're looking to attract Bees and Butterflies.

HERBS: Lavender, Lemon Bee Balm, Anise Hyssop, Caraway, Chives, Chamomile and Yarrow are all Flowering Herbs and what I call "Double Duty Herbs." These "double duty" varieties encourage pollinators to your garden AND are useful in herbal home remedies as well as home-cooking recipes.

SUNFLOWERS are an excellent addition to your garden for the bees and other pollinators. For multiple flowers, try Mexican Sunflower!

Nasturtium is another edible flower that attracts pollinators. Pretty flowers with a delicious flavor! As a companion plant, Nasturtium deters Squash Vine Borers!

For a detailed list, read

COMPANION PLANTING

Have you seed our VIDEOS?

Many of you have asked for information we have been sharing during our free workshops in our local community. Check out these links!

Seed Starting Made Simple

Making Alfalfa Organic Liquid Fertilizer

Using Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

DIY Herbal Tincture Tutorial

More Helpful Links:

Heat Tolerant Veggie Varieties

About Amaranth

Organic Nutrients that Give Your Soil A Boost