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Shopping Ethically for Bulbs

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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I think if the question is  the ethics, there are three things.
    1. Will they damage my wildlife or are they organic?
    2. Are they cultivated or ripped from the wild?
    3. Have they travelled half way round the world and what is the carbon footprint?

    Ideal if they are cultivated in Lincs as some Tulips are, but  I haven't seen any bulbs labelled as organic.

    Expensive does not always mean best. I had a lot of people comment on my tubs this year. They were Lidl bulbs in last years tomato compost.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Cheap probably does mean cost-cutting in production, though, usually. It doesn't mean that expensive isn't.

    I've been emailed asking Sarah Raven on their position and they say they and their producers don't use neonics. I will find out about fungicides.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    Dovefromabove said:
    I really don’t think I’ve ever seen aphids on spring bulbs … 🤔 
    It seems they also target root feeding grubs. Here's another link with further information if anyone wants to read further:

    https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/neonicotinoids
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Ah gotcha … but for years and years I’ve grown bulbs in pots indoors and out, and in beds, borders and to naturalise in grass, and root aphids have never been something I’ve been aware of  …  do others come across them often? 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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