Bumblebee seed mix, how best to sow ?

[Mozzie]

OK, many thanks for your replies. This is obviously not going to be as easy as I thought.

[Cotham Marble]

Mozzie,
I've not had time to give a considered reply but I certainly endorse what Jenny and Jez have written.

The thing is that while the individual plants in a seedmix may be good for bees, getting those plants to 'work together' in a close planting is a very different proposition from 'attracting' bees. My suggestion would be, that if you want to make use of the seeds you have bought, and you don't want to invest too heavily in an experiment that may only be partially succesful, that you create a small bed for the purpose.

If you have no existing planting space then simply cut out a pleasing shape from your lawn area and dig it to at least a spades depth. I wouldn't be concerned about removing top soil or issues about fertility, just create a tilthe suitable for planting seed. Then as soon as the hardest frosts are over next spring, sow the seeds and see what comes up - then use the plants you like in planting schemes in future years, either by collecting seeds or with the perreniels, respositioning and/or dividing.

CM

[snowdrop]

Thanks, Mozzie.

[JennyS]

Hi again Mozzie,

Cotham Marble's advice sounds really good to follow!
One additional thing that might be worth doing is to sow some of the seed mix now and then the rest in the spring.
Reason being is that some seeds need a cold spell to make them germinate, though I wouldn't have a clue which!

[Jez]

Can't see this being plausible I'm afraid Jenny! It's a bulk mix, very hard to separate and distinguish what's what. I'd keep it to the suggested sowing time as given just to be on the safe side. I can see where your coming from and indeed correct! I can find this out for Mozzie, but one heck of a tweezer job to go through. Can't see the bees being too fussy either at the end of the day ?!?!?

[JennyS]

Hi Jez,
You mis-read my post.... I wasn't suggesting trying to separate the seeds
What I suggested was

sow some of the seed mix now

meaning just a small ammount.

[nightshade]

I would sow some in a seperate border (as has been said) but I have removed turf made up the level and sown seed (the grass gradually grows back) Most sucessful are plug plants, brought on then planted out where required

[Jez]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Hi Jez,
You mis-read my post.... I wasn't suggesting trying to separate the seeds
What I suggested was
meaning just a small ammount.

Thanks for that Jenny!

[Cotham Marble]

I finally found time to track down the earlier thread I was thinking about (I'm sure there were others) and it was on the Wildflower Forum anyway (doh!) anyway it's a useful reprise of the issues re soil fertility etc:

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ldflowers.html

CM (whose memory clearly isn't what it used to be)