digitS'
Garden Master
I learned something today. Lady Bugs eat, besides their usual diet of pest aphids and mites, pollen and nectar. Leastwise, that's what Colorado State University tells us (link).
Many gardeners plant things that attract the pollinators. Some bees are attracted to flowers and prey on insects as well. Hover flies are in this group but I've found that yellow jackets and paper wasps show up on wild carrot and fennel. I've learned that these guys may be dangerous but they are my garden friends.
Below is a picture of flowers that have this major attraction to lady bugs! I don't know what they are doing there but assumed that it was because of aphids. However, I cannot find any aphids! The lady bugs swarm the plants!!
Aphids can be a big problem in my garden. I really shouldn't bother growing cabbage. There's no good organic way to kill the aphids and they do so much damage. And sure, they like broccoli. However, the broccoli has been nearly aphid-free this year! Why? I wonder if it isn't because the broccoli is planted next to the Strawflowers!
They were all over the plants and soon, all over me while I was cutting the Strawflower for drying! Dozens! Hundreds! Maybe Thousands!
Steve
Many gardeners plant things that attract the pollinators. Some bees are attracted to flowers and prey on insects as well. Hover flies are in this group but I've found that yellow jackets and paper wasps show up on wild carrot and fennel. I've learned that these guys may be dangerous but they are my garden friends.
Below is a picture of flowers that have this major attraction to lady bugs! I don't know what they are doing there but assumed that it was because of aphids. However, I cannot find any aphids! The lady bugs swarm the plants!!
Aphids can be a big problem in my garden. I really shouldn't bother growing cabbage. There's no good organic way to kill the aphids and they do so much damage. And sure, they like broccoli. However, the broccoli has been nearly aphid-free this year! Why? I wonder if it isn't because the broccoli is planted next to the Strawflowers!
They were all over the plants and soon, all over me while I was cutting the Strawflower for drying! Dozens! Hundreds! Maybe Thousands!
Steve
