As many of you will be aware, 2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations and we are all encouraged to take part in whatever way we can.
The term biodiversity is a modern one which in broad terms is used to describe the variety of life on earth. It is all living things and its importance to us is immense. We are taught from an early age that all living things have their place – the “balance of nature”. Upsetting the balance of nature has consequences. Unfortunately the balance is often upset by the activities of man albeit not always intentionally. Ignorance has of course played its part. There is now, however, a much greater understanding than ever about the affect our behaviour has on the world that we live in.
We are now aware that over-development and habitat destruction have a detrimental impact on biodiversity at a local level as do pollution and, of course, climate change at world wide levels.
"Sustainable development" has been a catch phrase adopted, in particular, by local authorities in the last 10-15 years. The whole ethos of sustainable development is to ensure that the growth which is required to support our expanding population does not have a longer term detrimental impact on the environment for the generations to come.
You may now be wondering what all this has to do with herbs. Well, whilst global warming and large scale industrial pollution require the co-operation of many and sustainable development is within the remit of your local Council, biodiversity can be increased very easily at an individual level. Here are our top tips to help you increase biodiversity in your own garden.
Angelica (hoverflies)
Anise Hyssop (bees, butterflies and seed eating birds)
Bergamot (bees)
Borage (bees)
Catmint (bees)
Chamomile (hoverflies)
Chives (bees)
Coriander (hoverflies and drone flies)
Elecampane (seed eating birds)
Fennel (bees, hoverflies, seed eating birds)
Hyssop (bees and butterflies)
Lavender (bees)
Lemon Balm (bees)
Lovage (seed eating birds)
Marjoram/Oregano (bees, butterflies, seed eating birds)
Mint (bees)
Red Orach (seed eating birds)
Sage (bees and butterflies)
Thyme (bees and butterflies)
- Leave a wild area. This really depends on the size of your garden and won't suit everyone. When we moved to the farm huge areas were overrun with nettles and whilst we have cleared many in the immediate garden there are still plenty left which act as an important habitat for many beneficial insects.
- Love your ladybirds. Ladybirds have a voracious appetite for aphids so encourage them to stay by providing places for them to shelter in the winter. This need not mean buying expensive ladybird houses. Sheds, log piles – anywhere they can over-winter will reap benefits in spring when the aphid populations explode. Encouraging natural predators helps to maintain the delicate balance which can be destroyed when broad spectrum insecticides are used.
- Feed the birds. Birds can become dependent so you need to ensure that you do not feed them for a bit and then stop. Winter is obviously particularly important when fat balls and other high energy foods are required. Wind fall apples are particularly good and you can freeze these whole in the autumn and distribute them over the winter months. We had a garden full of fieldfare eating our windfalls during the recent snow (not your average garden bird but then we are very rural). And finally, don’t forget to defrost your bird bath on a regular basis.
We hope that we have helped to inspire you to take part and increase the biodiversity in your garden. To mark the 2010 Year of Biodiversity we have put together a special Biodiversity Collection of herb plants which will get you off to a flying start.
