Jim - thanks for that! Like I said - it all got me thinking, hence my words of caution - no more, no less.
You obviously have a lot more knowledge than I (and, presumably, GG) so I'd be interested to look at your thesis some time. Assuming of course that I could get to grips with it!
(No - not a sarcastic reference or a criticism - honestly, I would value extra info on the subject)
btw I live in a village that had a new road/housing development. recently. "They" decided that a "wildflower" planting would enhance the village. But they actually meant (or the Orchard Committee meant, but no-one else seemed to understand) a seed mix of wildflowers and annuals, to prolong the flowering season. But they (committee, council and all other numpties) didn't seem to comprehend that such planting required quite a bit of annual maintenance, the use of chemicals on a grand scale and that it was not entirely suitable for the location.
Today we have vast weed verges, a few unloved apple seedlings (hence the Orchard committee's involvement) and no-one taking responsibility for what is a total mess.
(Perhaps now you see my concern about "wild flower planting" without proper understanding etc. And I don't claim proper understanding!)
I think if you leave your garden unattended it will find you those wild flowers that will grow in your garden commonly known as weeds. To grow wild flowers successfully is hard if you have not got the land as it will look a mess otherwise .
The wild flowers will only find their way into your garden if they're there locally, if not then the only way they can get to your garden is if you put them there. I really wouldn't want to wait for chance, you might be waiting an awfully long time. By the way,a weed is simply a plant in the wrong place and what are commonly known as weed are still pretty much weeds in parts of my garden if not all of my garden. I'm sure nut has a good list of those.
You're right Jim, along wait for some that grow very well indeed, cowslips, primroses dog daisies and knapweeds. The surrounding agricultural desert only allows cereals, rape and beet to survive
Corn-cockle (agrostemma githago) and corn flower (centaurea cyanus) are two of the wild seeds included in the seed pack and both thrive in my garden since being introduced.The former went unidentified by myself for a few years until some very kind and knowledgeable members ID'd it for me
Agricultural desert is exactly right nutcutlet.Not far from where I live,we have a collection of meadows where skylarks abound among the rich variety of wild grasses.But go to the furthest edge and you reach a barbed wire fence over which is a wheat field.The wheat field contains wheat...and that's it.To wildlife it may as well be concreted,all you can see is an ocean of uniform green.If us gardeners can set aside even just a couple of square yards to go wild,the accumulative effect and benefits would be huge.
Posts
Jim - thanks for that! Like I said - it all got me thinking, hence my words of caution - no more, no less.
You obviously have a lot more knowledge than I (and, presumably, GG) so I'd be interested to look at your thesis some time. Assuming of course that I could get to grips with it!
(No - not a sarcastic reference or a criticism - honestly, I would value extra info on the subject)
btw I live in a village that had a new road/housing development. recently. "They" decided that a "wildflower" planting would enhance the village. But they actually meant (or the Orchard Committee meant, but no-one else seemed to understand) a seed mix of wildflowers and annuals, to prolong the flowering season. But they (committee, council and all other numpties) didn't seem to comprehend that such planting required quite a bit of annual maintenance, the use of chemicals on a grand scale and that it was not entirely suitable for the location.
Today we have vast weed verges, a few unloved apple seedlings (hence the Orchard committee's involvement) and no-one taking responsibility for what is a total mess.
(Perhaps now you see my concern about "wild flower planting" without proper understanding etc. And I don't claim proper understanding!)
The mix mentioned will grow if it's thrown on the garden which is what most people will be doing.
A good journalist can write about anything but will lack the in-depth knowledge.
It's fairly complex til you get the hang of it. Differentiating between the types of meadow is a good start
In the sticks near Peterborough
I think if you leave your garden unattended it will find you those wild flowers that will grow in your garden commonly known as weeds. To grow wild flowers successfully is hard if you have not got the land as it will look a mess otherwise .
The wild flowers will only find their way into your garden if they're there locally, if not then the only way they can get to your garden is if you put them there. I really wouldn't want to wait for chance, you might be waiting an awfully long time. By the way,a weed is simply a plant in the wrong place and what are commonly known as weed are still pretty much weeds in parts of my garden if not all of my garden. I'm sure nut has a good list of those.
I have a fine collection of weeds.
You're right Jim, along wait for some that grow very well indeed, cowslips, primroses dog daisies and knapweeds. The surrounding agricultural desert only allows cereals, rape and beet to survive
In the sticks near Peterborough
Corn-cockle (agrostemma githago) and corn flower (centaurea cyanus) are two of the wild seeds included in the seed pack and both thrive in my garden since being introduced.The former went unidentified by myself for a few years until some very kind and knowledgeable members ID'd it for me
Agricultural desert is exactly right nutcutlet.Not far from where I live,we have a collection of meadows where skylarks abound among the rich variety of wild grasses.But go to the furthest edge and you reach a barbed wire fence over which is a wheat field.The wheat field contains wheat...and that's it.To wildlife it may as well be concreted,all you can see is an ocean of uniform green.If us gardeners can set aside even just a couple of square yards to go wild,the accumulative effect and benefits would be huge.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I applied for the country file seeds but they haven't arrived yet. Do you think this means that I didn't do it in time?