The Incredible "10% Rule" That Every Gardener Should Use | Increase Yields & Pollinators

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This video is kindly sponsored by Clipper Teas www.clipper-teas.com/ - Today's video is something I have been wanting to make for a while to really explore how we as vegetable gardeners can help create more space for wildlife, specifically pollinators whilst also improving food production. The 10% rule is a very simple way that we can make a small change that will lead to great results and is something I feel every vegetable gardener should do on an annual basis. Little steps quickly add up to big changes that make such an incredible difference in the veg garden.
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[@HuwRichards]

It is so empowering see the incredible things that happen from small and simple changes! Also, a huge thank you to my favourite tea company Clipper Teas for their work on promoting pollinators: www.clipper-teas.com/ 😀🌻🐝

[@Hadrada.]

Thanks il never cut the grass again in May and my tea going to be from them Thanks because also I purchased your book in Aberaeron when I was on holiday and it’s the first year I’ve grown food and I followed your book The chard is lush👍🏼

[@annelyle5474]

I avoid mowing my lawn in summer, and I was delighted when our local council left the grass verges mostly uncut this year - I saw more bee orchids in one walk than in all my twenty-odd years living here! I also popped over to the Clipper shop and discovered they sell my favourite breakfast tea, Assam, which I've never seen in the supermarket, so I placed an order right away 😀

[@mylo118]

Nothing to do with this but I've been wondering for a while now what happened to the tobacco plant you had in an older video? I'm curious to know how it grew in the uk.

[@robinhazeslip1800]

I love tea! Ordered some Clipper to try! Thanks for the recommendation! 😁🌿

[@jeanmorris6601]

My tea of choice is always Clipper tea

[@grannyreplacingthegrass6836]

I have been living in Tennessee for 15 years and have not seen any bees in my yard. This year I planted sunflowers,zinnias,and cosmos in my garden and I am thrilled to see many bees this year.

[@alexriddles492]

I live in Missouri. I grow Anise Hyssop to keep the bees fed. It comes back year after year. I have seen 5 different kinds of bees on it, at the same time.

[@jturtle5318]

They love apple mint, it gets big sturdy flower spikes. I have a huge patch of catnip, and it buzzed all summer long. I'm going to move some out by the apple tree.

[@umiluv]

I’m in E TN and I’m hoping to replace some invasive English Ivy with wild blue phlox, green-and-gold, and Virginia creeper. The phlox and g&g are native ground cover that flower and the Virginia creeper is a native vine that also flowers. Gotta help the pollinators and support native plants too. I also plan on planting annuals like sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos to help along with perennial herbs like chamomile and lavender. I’m excited about all the projects I hope to pursue to make my yard a haven for wildlife.

[@cuznclive2236]

I maintain a natural area of mint and goldenrod. Aside from all of the beneficial predators that frequent the plot, I get Monarch butterflies every year that were initially released from a local school project three years ago. I saw more in the first year, less in the second, and far more this past fall. They were almost back to numbers seen in the first year.

[@josweatt898]

Add African Blue Basil and they will go crazy for it!

[@paul-oram]

I have transformed my garden this year, out with the lawn, in with a greenhouse, no-dig raised beds, ponds, compost bin, flowers everywhere - I discovered permaculture, which seems to be exactly what i've been doing. I've notice lots of different bee species, dragonflies, bushes full of ladybirds. The transformation happens very quickly, which encourages you to continue finding out more and to continually improve the garden. I should have done this years ago!

[@petergilfillan8340]

would love to see your progress, we too are doing similar & like you realize should have done this Years ago also . Cheers from Melbourne, Australia : )

[@SecrePeach]

Love that, please help! …..what bushes do your ladybirds love? I have ooooddles of bees but only saw one ladybird so keen to get in my garden.

[@paul-oram]

@@SecrePeach My Hibiscus bush attracts lots of aphids, which then attracts the ladybirds - its had loads of ladybird larvae on it all this year.

[@SecrePeach]

Oh thanks, I’ll look into that 🙏🏻

[@jshaw4757]

Basically let shit grow...don't cut things away just grow inbeetween stuff have a good mix off plants n weeds n flowers all things you see in nature its simple really it's like a beard just let it grow n clip it where needed to suit your needs...if something taking over address it...we need more zones just full off weeds n bushes like we used to have its so simple used to be waistland areas in my city with stuff just growing Vibing sticking around keeping the game going but then money makes folk go in n shred these areas n move whole community's ruin the whole vibe...last time I heard 🐝 bee's are vital...so what the fuck are we doing then all we gotta do is grow some stuff in open areas how easy a task do you want lol...anyway just a rant but pisses me off

[@hansgruber9457]

I let my basil bloom by accident this year and was about to rip it out when I noticed the huge amount of bees and bumblebees that enjoyed it. I left it to them and it still blooms months later and I always see insects gorging on it. Very easy to grow and maintain in a pot!

[@gardenboots7464]

That happened with my Oregano too. So now I let it flower and go to seed every year!

[@sarah3796]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Herschel1738]

Same with brassicas - Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, radish - and lettuce greens. One year I let these crops go to seed when they were past their picking prime & I didn't need the beds, and the bees swarmed all over them.

[@carolsloanes4938]

Borage is also a good herb for the bees.

[@aphillips5376]

Bloomed basil makes a great filler flower for a vased flower arrangement too.

[@gaylekerr9826]

"The power of marginal gains..." Thank you for that phrase! It is new to me, but I'm already thinking of areas in my life (as well as my garden) where this can be applied. Very thought provoking!

[@HuwRichards]

I'm so pleased it's useful, I plan to do a dedicated video about it early next year too😊

[@darinbennett3638]

Huw, this was the first year we incorporated flowers into our vegetable garden and we were greatly surprised by the increase of pollinators in our yard. We grew yarrow, zinnias, dahlias, black-eye Susan, and Gerber Daisys and we constantly had bees, lady bugs, butterflies, and humming birds in our yard. We will definitely be increasing our pollinator-friendly growing areas. As always, thanks for your work in educating us as we grow our gardens. Keep up the good work, Huw! (KY, USA)

[@HuwRichards]

Hi Darin thanks so much for watching and commenting! Yeah it's always amazing how doing a simple act like that has such a huge effect on polliantors! That is so great to hear. You are most welcome! :D

[@herringtonfarms5927]

Huw, let me start by saying that your channel belongs on a public access and a major cable network. Unless you are looking at KZbin as the 'organic' avenue to the masses. (Southern American humor) Seriously however, your cadence, voice, diction, knowledge and overall love of your craft is felt immediately. As a chef, I have always cooked with 'love' because it is THE ingredient that people often overlook. Just as talking to plants make a difference, placing 'love' into a dish with the thought, joy, and caring of preparing foods, the final product will always be better than one made without love. My previous home had 9 large Hollys that were planted as seedlings and stand now at over 3.5m. Each year they would attract hundreds of thousands of bees. So much so that the apiarist next to me had to add more boxes because his colony started to grow. Thank you for your wisdom and personality. It is a great combination.

[@billiverschoore2466]

Indeed too many people are só distracted that they forget that Love is the only way to Peace, Harmony and Abundance. Thank you for mentioning this Vital Ingredient - and living by this simple formula. 🌳🕊💚

[@karenshepley1768]

I agree wholeheartedly about his channel being on public access. Really nice that you put love into your dishes too.

[@Maerque]

Huw, I absolutely love you for speaking out for the importance of organic. The only messaging we hear is about the habitat loss (which is important!) but never about pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate. Good to see organisations like Pesticide Action Network UK raising awareness too.

[@billiverschoore2466]

yes it seems like all the hooha about climate change (do governments réálly care, if they keep on promoting fossil fuels instead of allowing clean (Tesla et al) energy???) is distracting most people from considering their own use of narsty chemicals (also for the growing of most bought veg n fruit; again: do governments réálly care??? ) 🌳🕊💚

[@Starlight22215]

I’ve always planted flowers and vegetables in the same space. Not only do you attract pollinators but it looks so much nicer in my opinion. I also encourage natural plants like blackberries and rose hips and I have an enormous comfrey patch. I picked loads of rose hips to make syrup using a natural recipe from the woodland trust. I then picked blackberries for crumbles with apples I was given and for good measure I picked plums from our lane. I was wondering at the end why I bothered to grow so much, because Mother Nature gives you so much to forage without any effort at all.

[@billiverschoore2466]

yes Mother Nature; because i don't have time to go foraging, i grow selected forageables on my allotment - they happily self-seed or increase their clumps and are just só tasty and some of them are harvestable all winter. 💚

[@karlgw]

I avoided mowing in May, then mowed early June and not again until just this weekend. One problem with this is that mowing becomes quite difficult with a normal mower, so I've gone over to scything - a real eye opener - and very meditative too

[@billiverschoore2466]

Yes!!! Scything is the way; múch safer for the critters who have made their homes in the long grasses-etc 💚

[@Taniaflowers239]

My mum begun growing flowers in our vegetable garden, when I was a child. And I do it every year. I really like when everything is in bloom and in colours.

[@Alternativesmallholding]

This video made my little heart happy! Thank you Huw, I hope your message is heard loud and wide.

[@HuwRichards]

Awhh thank you so much I'm so glad!!😊

[@ohio_gardener]

As a former commercial beekeeper, I have always ensured that my property has a plenty of pollinator plants. One of my favorite flowers is the Cleome (aka Bee Plant). It blooms all summer long, until frost kills it, and it freely reseeds itself year after year. Also, adjacent to my garden area is a butterfly garden with many different perennial pollinator plants which bloom in stages from early spring until the first fall frost.

[@ArtemisSilverBow]

I live in Ohio. Have revitalized properties I've owned with naturalized native meadows, native flowers in the garden, etc. Amazing the difference it makes and how only 2-3 years have a small ecosystem. Have only a small cluster home now but filled the small flower beds and patio with flowers, herbs, veg...neighbors comment how much life they see thriving in this little space. No space is too small for this :)

[@learningallthetimes7655]

Thanks for shedding light on a few of the MAJOR issues of our time and showing how we can all take steps to implement change!

[@health.bites.5615]

I am with you, Huw! I am organic all the way on my little acre in Michigan. I embraced cottage gardening a few years back and my kitchen garden isn't just veggies anymore. It is planted with flowers, herbs, berries, and veggies. I also border the garden with flowers for the bees and butterflies and hummingbirds. I learn more every year, but this year my kitchen garden will include sweet peas, sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, thymes, and chives (they are a bee magnet when in flower) among others. I've found in the early spring, the bees also love visiting my hellebores and daffodils. When our flowering crab is in bloom, you can almost hear a symphony of bees humming. Sometimes, I sit beside a plant when they're hard at work and just watch them. They don't mind me there at all. I am so thankful that I can grow many plants to make us both happy.

[@lepidlover0557]

Also for butterflies and sometimes moths, it's important that you include plants where they can lay their eggs. These are called hostplants Letting some nettles, native milkweeds, grasses, legumes and other plants gives them a safe space where they can reproduce and their caterpillars can reach adulthood

[@aplaceinthestars3207]

I've never been entranced with flowers, but I appreciate them as a double duty plant like the beautiful Siam Queen basil blooming for me now. I counted an incredible number of bees and even some very exotic-looking pests this summer but now I'm tending to the handful of plants left after abandoning them due to local disaster. It was a huge disappointment for me, but I feel motivated to keep tending to what's left because there are a few little flowers and it's nice to know they can still make an impact. This video is a nice reminder of the benefits of flowers and it's even better with all the well-edited video cuts (because I'm tired of watching awkward garden KZbins of one person talking to the camera with no change of scene or angle. I want to see beautiful plants and gardens and pollinators just like this!)

[@user-tm2yx1ut5p]

I had an idea to plant more flowers in my garden just because they are so beautiful. Now I know the practical benefits. I promise to use at least 5% of my vegetable beds for flowers this year!

[@kathyhayden3787]

Oh Huw, your videos are a slice of peace in a confusing world. Thanks so much for all you do! My catnip is always covered with pollinators, and I let my parsley flower and they love that too.

[@cindyfrick4860]

Dear Hue, I am quite old bit when I moved onto my property 40 years ago I started using only organic fertilizers etc It wasn't really popular back then but it seed to me to be important. So I have held strong. Thru many bad years I've done nothing but am now back gardening organically and now with bees on my property I am more aware of protecting the pollinators. Also water for them here in South Carolina is important in the dry months. Thanks for the helpful video. Think I'll add borage next season. Our bee keeper said the bees flourished this year and I was so happy about that. Thanks for what you do. I do love the UK and wish I could come there again. Oh well. Keep it up! I'll be watching!

[@BiggyD1234]

I have tried to rewrite this 3 times now - without English being my first language I feel like I am missing the words. Organic isn't always enough, organic can be monoculture as well, organic also have rules on how much of this and that can be used to support it. In Denmark we have higher standards for Danish organic products than the EU does for EU organic products (and organic products from UK), in Germany they have the Demeter principal which is even more strict and in line with nature - also from a holistic perception. I believe the Demeter approach is what we should be trying to reach for all food production (I am not associated with Demeter or know all about it). Large food production is very hard to do if it should be close to nature which I believe is what you really want - but it isn't impossible. The main problem I see is that we allow products that are not up to the highest standards we are able to. Cost from the end consumer is of the highest importance - but this is where equality comes in play. I really hope this makes sense, as I am quite passionate about making a difference for the better of our society, health and food production. You are a great educator and I hope you will reach so many more than us commoners do. Thank you for the videos, very good information, great inspiration - and high quality!

[@billiverschoore2466]

😆 your English is ráther better than my Danish! Thank you for clarifying the different meanings of 'organic' and mentioning 'holistic' 🌳🕊💚

[@Katana1982dark]

Wild pollinators are so much more effective as honeybees. Especially humbees can carry much more pollen and fly already with lower temperatures. Honeybees are not going to extinct, like milk cows won't. Often honeybees are competitors to wild bees. In Hamburg, after many wild gardening projects, wild bee population increased, till it became popular to have beehives in the city. After that the wild bee population decreased again. Buying honey won't help wild bees, like buying milk won't help the bison.

[@sajesaje7031]

Yes, this video explains why wild bee populations are so important: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIS8mHepqLaIqqM. Was a real eye opener for me :)

[@friedrice9535]

Honeybees live in colonies, most other pollinators are solitary. And bees are going away. No where near as many feral hives as I saw 50 years ago. keeping hives is much harder. Winter deadouts went from 5% to 40%.

[@I_know_it_I_sew_it_I_grow_it]

"Milk cows" are bred into existence, and the male calves are usually slaughtered.

[@jturtle5318]

I love my bumbles. I plant crocuses and encourage dandelions, which are their first meal here.

[@lindab34]

I've adopted the no dig and interplanted vege's with edible and non edible flowers. My tiny garden, about 6 sq.m. of soil and containers looks like a jungle. It has produced so so many vegetables and the pollinators nip from one source to another. It has been stunning and I will definately mix everything up again. It's fun having the challenge of where to start things growing for light and height. I also pick dandelions and clover from my small lawn for salads and teas... Thanks Huw for your videos.

[@capicuaaa]

You might want to leave the dandelion and clover flowers for bees though.

[@julieb9215]

When you talked about making seed bombs, I thought they were going to be for randomly throwing out a car window in rural areas that could use more wildflowers to help feed wild bees.

[@jturtle5318]

It's been done. But they're popular for urban permaculture guerrilla gardeners to plant vacant lots.

[@rosepetal45]

Huw a few things worth mentioning - pollinators are not just bees but also many insects including hover flies and wasps. Also in encouraging pollinators it's also important to provide water and habitat for over wintering 🙂

[@HuwRichards]

I think you'll see that in the video at the start I mention bees, hoverflies and butterlfies and then proceed to include footage of hoverflies and butterflies throughout :)

[@AlleyCat-1]

I don't know about anyone else. But I'm not going to protect the wasps & Yellow jackets. Around my area, they are not friendly, especially around their nests. At least bee's only get territorial at the end of the year. At least mine do.

[@galamander_1327]

For whatever reason, the wasps in my tiny California suburban yard have never been hostile toward me or visitors. There are wasp nests in the ground and the eaves. The wasps and native bees are generalist pollinators who do 90% of the work. Hummingbirds and bats help out too. Honeybees are divas around here. They can't be bothered to show up for much besides citrus blossoms and clover.

[@AlleyCat-1]

@@galamander_1327 we just discovered a small bat last night. Don't know the breed other than real small, so don't know what they do. But their welcome, hummingbirds too & other's just not wasps & Yellow jackets. I'm hoping to get more growing for hummingbirds & bumblebees (

[@yeevita]

@@galamander_1327 Same. My wasps are super mild. Last night, one surprised me as I was crushing down some giant heads of amaranth seeds. I let the heads dry in the open, which also allows insects and spiders to leave. I could have been stung, but as always, the wasps here always just fly away. Once in awhile they will check me out and I have had a few land on me, which I blow off, but I walk under and around their nests all the time. If they were aggressive, they would be gone. We do remove nests if they are where we do not want them. For example, my brother had wasps trying to make a nest on a door knob. That would be a nono. Also, do not forget the ants, or actually probably just any insects. I do use DE on ants if they seem to be overwhelming something I want to save. However, if they are just walking on the squashes, etc, I just leave them. I have some edge space I am thinking of building up with organic matter and native soil. I think two strips will be native plants or weeds. I have noticed before that pests seem to prefer them, as well as predators. Recently, I surpressed a wild mustard field and I am regretting it. However it would have been in the middle of a gazebo, so it had to go. I might be able to rebuild it, or something similar, so I will be trying.

[@CanadianCoastie]

Thank you. I have avoided paying the higher prices that are on organic foods but this video has shown me why it is important and I will be switching to organic blueberries as a 1st step.

[@patriciahope2]

You'll also be ingesting fewer toxins thus helping your own health.

[@wiosnasmiechowska463]

Huw, you're doing great job educating your audience. Congratulations! I recently got a huge willow log, roughly 1 m diameter, with the sole purpose of ditching it in a corner of my garden as a wildlife shelter. My friend put some thick clay wall at one end of the hollow trunk as home for masonry bees. Works wonders! It doesn't have to anything that spectacular, though, just leaving one tiny piece of land alone for all the wildlife creatures to feel at home makes a huge difference.

[@nataliemarshall3991]

I absoutely loved this video. I've planted marigolds, dill, coriander, nasturtiums, lavenders, etc, and have two large cream grevilleas (Ausie shrub) that the bees love. Thank you for eloquently exlpaining the need for pollinators.

[@MK_Ultimate]

This year we accidentally created an experiment in our garden. We planted some cucumbers near the herb/flower garden, and others with the other vegetables. The ones near the flowers were covered in bees, and were constantly producing more and more fruit, while the one with the vegetables barely produced at all

[@christianerardt3705]

Great experiment!

[@paullittle5200]

I planted a borage in the middle of my runner beans and there is definitely more pollination on the beans.

[@uprightfossil6673]

Thanks for the tip

[@ninaarroyo]

I enjoy your videos, thank you for the inspiration. I'm working on sandy soil but I use raised beds, i have red wigglers (my little helpers producing food for my plants) and I work on composting food scraps, I have a paper shredder, reuse and recycle everything I can. Organic gardening as well as cooking at home with great products, mostly organic. You're right, small changes matter and help transform this beautiful blue planet. 🙏🏻

[@helenwatt517]

I also like the phrase 'the power of marginal gains'. My contribution this year will be sowing the 'bee bombs' I was given (smaller version of the seed bombs demo'd here). Thanks for explaining that the butterflies love apples as I left some for our blackbirds and it explains why we saw a Red Admiral in our garden. Our local pollinators love our lavender and so thankful my first attempt at cuttings of lavender worked so well. Nice to see you using Clipper Teas as we used them for our wedding nearly 22 years ago because they were a fair trade product, and fairly traded products are a prime example of 'marginal gains'..church groups often used these products for years and eventually they became main stream in the supermarkets! Never underestimate the 'power of plodding'!!

[@suetwigg3337]

The insects absolutely adore celery left to flower and seed. The plant is beautiful, shimmers gently in the wind which attracts the insects. Try it, for the plant, insects and joy given to yourselves. xx

[@gardenboots7464]

Thank you so much for that wisdom. I hope to try it! Beauty and joy matter :)

[@charlierenner6844]

I love this! Every year I plaster my garden with annuals for the bees and that includes lots of borage, cosmos, nigella, poppy, nasturtiums, black eyed susan and cornflowers. Im particularly excited this year because I've been given over 50 budleia cuttings Im propagating for community seed library i run. Planting flowers for bees is one of my favourite things - so much so that I've gone and built a massive arbour which is soon to be covered in Manita climbing roses which will flower all season long... Okay so I might be an addict

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

This is such a good thing to cover, pollinators. I have the constant struggle with how to boost them on my arid farm - where we have less flowers and attractors. Bees, solitary and our honey bees, need all the help they can get. Excellent stuff Huw, thank you.

[@nataschajudson7509]

Thank you, Huw, for this encouraging video to use organic practices in the garden and to eat more organic produce. I agree wholeheartedly. We thereby benefit ourselves, our family and friends, and of course the pollinators/wildlife. It’s a win for all.

[@marcschmitz1526]

Hi Huw I love your channel and have used your videos, Liz Zorab's, Charles Dowding, James Pregioni and some German ones to inform my gardening skills. I have learned heaps from all of you guys. I wanted to thank you for this incredible video and the many others you have posted over the years. This video I personally find really important. You most definitely have a point by making the small incremental changes we can definitely a change in the world. I have transformed my rather large front garden into a cottage garden with all sorts of perennial flowers (some wild, some not) and have thrown some annual seeds, beans, dill, thyme, lavender etc in between. It is September and my front garden still has the most activity I have ever seen anywhere. This is such a nice thing to see. Many of the bees are wild bees and I love that. My back garden I have started to grow vegetables in it from when I moved in. I used the cardboard method to not disturb the soil. Goodness me it is still such a shock to me at times how productive this has become. I love my gardening and after the busy work on the ward during the pandemic this has been my treasure that helps me to decompress and destress. I often just sit out for an hour after my nightshift and enjoy the quiet and the birds, bees etc. Lots of this would not have been possible for me without your advice and guidance in your videos. So thank you! You definitely have made a very stressed human being like me into a chilled dude. Thank you so much and continue your good work! Regards, Marc-Andre Paisley Scotland

[@melsallnatural2933]

Huw, thank you so much for this KZbin. I really like how you broke it down to just doing ONE thing can make a difference. I buy lots of organic products but often feel guilty when I can't buy everything organic or when some months I have to buy less Organic than I normally do. Also, we moved to a new home last year so this year I was able to see the fall planting I did make a big difference with my pollinators. I loved it. So so so many bees and butterflies this year. Can't wait to see what next year brings.

[@grahamgirard7846]

This video is just so heartwarming. I try to follow the same principles in my home garden, but can always improve. Particularly love the seed bombs for early spring flowers, especially dropping them around the neighbourhood!

[@scottcoffinhotmail]

Thanks as always, Huw! Your content, delivery, and high quality photography distinguish you and keep me engaged. I’m a happy fan!

[@HuwRichards]

Awh Scott thank you so much I really appreciate it!!:)

[@birgittalagerkvist7259]

Thank you Huw for yet another great video 😊. I live in Sweden and at my allotment I've planted a lot of springflowering bulbs beneath my gooseberries and current bushes. I got my allotment in 2008, and I immediately made raised beds with perennial flowers at one end, and herbs at the other. Every year one of the beds is a flower bed filled to the brim with annuals. I also have a big flowerbed with perennial flowers as a border towards the grawel walkway. Each year the numbers of pollinators increase, it really makes me happy!

[@staceystrukel1917]

My garden looked like a video game with all the bees and butterflies. I would stand outside of the fence watching and it was like virtual reality. Surreal. Thank you flowers.

[@wwsuwannee7993]

I have several in ground plots 40x35. In the very corners I grow Cosmos, 1 eyed susans, babys breath etc. usually. Straight down the middle I grow a mixture of zinnia, marigold,cosmos and dwarf sunflower etc. In the veg rows, about every 5 or six plants depending, I usually plant a borage. It's a great summer mix for hot weather. As I only produce for my family and neighbors, I don't miss the space at all. In winter, as I can grow year round in my climate, I grow brassicas, carrots, alliums, potatoes etc. none of which require pollination till spring if you let them seed out.

[@lilly9787]

Thank you so much for all the info🤗 You've really made me think about what I can switch to organic. And adding more flowers to the garden is definitely a must!!

[@HuwRichards]

I'm so pleased to hear it Lilly and best of luck!:)

[@adelineparinduri]

I just switched my cooking oil with organic coconut oil earlier this month 😊 Our flowers (and the garden) are still going strong as well. Warm September for us in Canada. Love the video Huw. Glad to see a colourful garden of yours packed with lives.

[@Dragons_Novel]

I planted borage for the first time in the summer of 2020, and I was amazed at the number of bees visiting it, as well as the hummingbirds. Now, it will always grow in my garden.

[@heatherkirkup6391]

Thank you, Huw, for such a thought provoking video. I’m particularly pleased to learn of ‘The power of marginal gains’ and look forward to implementing that. It also gave me a different perspective on making that higher priced organic option - I’ll be switching something next shop.

[@denisewoodbury3358]

We've added many perennial flowers around the vegetables that bloom from March through September. We attract more bees, butterflies and hummingbirds each year. I used to be scared of bees because I have an allergy to a hornet sting but now I realize they're our friends and can sit on the deck and enjoy watching them go from flower to flower, knowing we're helping to grow the bee community!

[@paulinemorris5186]

planted an area of my lawn with wild flower seeds and it was amazing the amount of bees and hoverflys that came, also left an area with long grass which next year we are putting some yellow rattle in. Ive also dug a wildlife pond which has already attracted damsel flys.

[@jeshika22]

For me, I've had excellent success with the following things: Letting a portion of my veggies go to seed, planting pollenator-attracting flowers here and here among my vegetables, and letting some of the yard just grow wild and crazy and take turns rotating where I cut things back. Not only has the latter method brought more pollinators into the area in general, but it also has significantly created more soil. Where I live initially had very little soil in parts of the yard over solid sandstone, and now a few years later I already have several inches of soil on top just because of this + any moisture runoff from my garden beds helping reintroduce life in general.

[@TheDevonblacksmith]

I have been on this path for some time now perhaps 35 years or so. I have tried to encourage as many as will embrace these ideas. I have made several videos to encourage small changes in everyday living that anyone can do. But I don't have the following that others such as yourself have so it's really encouraging forme to watch others that might have more influence doing what they can.

[@deborahmeijer9697]

Put a forgotten water mellon in a bowl or something and let it rot. Bee's and butterfly love it. We had one in the frige and went bad in just a couple of day's so we put it outside to clean the frige and put it on the compost pile in the evenig with the rest of the kichen waste. Well we left it due to a couple of pollinating insects giving it allot of attention and we were intrested if it was a fluke or not. But how gross it is after a week it still attacts even more insects that drink the water comming out of the mellon. The 3rd day we could not see the bowl or the mellon cause of the sheer ammount of insects getting a sugery drink on a hot day. Tho i have to admit i am waiting for the moment the insects to leave the mellon alone so i can finally dump it on the pile 😅 Its becoming pretty gross and starting to smell what attracts even more 😅.. But we will perservere for the insects !🤮 Its not plants or something but still, why not let them enjoy it when we can't. Its especially the moisture that comes out of it that they drink hence the bowl or something.

[@aw6707]

Beautiful! Here in MO, oxe-eye daisies are invasive. Be sure to check your area for excellent perennial (or annual) pollinator options. Sometimes cultivars are less optimal for native pollinators so be sure to research first. I am working on a wildflower/pollinator border of the yard space this year. Happy gardening!

[@billiverschoore2466]

In UK tonnes of ox-eye daisies were sown along new roads and motorways - the only trouble was: they were of Italian stock and are not as daintily behaved as our native ox-eye daisies 💚

[@carolineholland4178]

A cut flower bed brings so much joy. Pollinator and bee heaven while adding beauty to our garden and our kitchen table. ❤ The more you pick them the more they keep flowing. No need to feel guilty cutting them to enjoy in our homes as long as we grow plenty for us to share. I love watching the busy bees feasting on the pollen to the point where some of them seem to take a nap on a flower, almost drunk with fulfillment.

[@arianecasey9689]

I really appreciate your knowledge sharing and I especially enjoy your encouraging empowering message for all of us to make small changes. I buy as much organic products as possible and I’m converting my regular city garden to a mini permaculture food forest. This year, I planted borage, nasturtium more herbs and more sedum. Autumn joy sedum is a great one for zone 5, where we are in Ottawa, Canada as it blooms long into autumn for the pollinators. I have also converted my lawn to white clover which positively buzzes throughout the season. Bonus is the nitrogen fixing capability of this pretty cover crop.

[@SecrePeach]

You are sooo right!!! I only had one growing season under my belt which was veg and decided this summer to introduce a flower bed in the front garden ( which had always been shrubs and bushes). I grew sunflowers, chrysanthemums and calendula on mass and decided to harvest the calendula to make hand soap/oils and cream. As you can imagine I was out there daily collecting flower heads but a bit worried I was taking from the bees. I needn’t have worried……. The more I picked the more flowers came and I couldn’t keep up! All my neighbours stop and say how much they love the garden (but trust me, it’s a bit wild and unorganised), the bees and other wildlife love it too. I’ve never seen so many bees in one place, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being among them. My plants although slowing are still full of colour and next year I plan to add more early and flowers as I’ve enjoyed it so much. It’s true what they say……… plant it and they will come 😁 🌻🐝

[@davidthescottishvegan]

Fantastic video Huw Richards and yes we need to help the pollinators not just bee's. Organic Gardening certainly will help. Have a good weekend and keep safe and well.

[@HuwRichards]

Thank you so much David!!:)

[@tamarahughes3900]

I love how the "adds" you have in your video is for a good cause thank you for that

[@eriktomasek383]

I hate "sponsored" videos. Hi there. I rarely log in to comment. But this time, this video is MIND BLOWING Truly amazing, also when you asked us to go organic in drinks, I told to myself "well, I dont drink drinks" but I totally forgot the TEA. 9pm now, and I am so hungry just watching your garden, and all those small tiny polinators.. (not that I eat them, but yes, they are a bless) Your channel should be awarded 1. truly educational 2. serves like meditation just by watching it Thank you for your hard work :)

[@Silvereagledude]

Last year I added sunflowers and zinnias to my marigolds and the difference it made was astonishing….I had hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees in numbers that I have never experienced….it added an extra dimension to my vegetable garden that gave me so much added pleasure….there would be times I would just turn over a bucket and sit in the middle of the garden on warm, sunny days and be immersed in all the activity going on around me…..I can’t wait to do it again

[@gardengal7308]

I live in Tampa, Florida. This year I added a solitary bee house to my garden. It is amazing how much work these bees do in the garden each year. I am looking forward to seeing the offspring hatch out next year. Also, I love the seed bomb recipe. My husband has agreed to let an area of our lawn go with out mowing and I planned to sow wildflower seeds. Now I’ll whip up some seed bombs for that area! I really enjoyed this video. Well done!

[@rosemaryryan6455]

I do love Kelly kettles. Haha. My great grandpa came from Wales and his name was Huw. He came to Australia with a shovel, pick and a gold watch. When he died he had 4 farms for his 4 boys. I learnt so much gardening from my dad, his grandchild. I also learn lots from you also. 2 good Huws from Wales. Heehee

[@christianerardt3705]

Our huge sage plant on the balcony was a really bee party for a couple of weeks, because I led most parts of it getting flowers. One third of my flower boxes I have planted and sown with flowers, additional to the herbs and fruits and vegies in the other two thirds which get flowers, too. So we had the whole spring and summer lots of bees and butterflies and hoverbees and bumblebees and beetles and parasitic wasps (using the soil or old wood) on our balcony. The flowers are not just food for the polinators - they are a pleasure for us. The polinators care for the crops' flowers as well and we can harvest them. So we all have a profit of it. I use my own compost, coffee grounds and egg shells as fertilizer, wood ash and charcoal for getting a better humus. I mix plants that care for and help each other, to avoid pests. Aphids are just wiped off. After a couple of days the lady bugs came helping to minimize the damage. Aphids are their food. So we should not too much fight them. Nature always finds a balance - if people do not too much disturb her. 😉 I think your idea of switching one thing of everyday use into the organic version is a really easy way to start little. I've been using organic milk and eggs and crops, flour, sugar, spices, etc. and cosmetics and cleaning stuff for centuries. So that's normal to me. I realized it's much better for my body and my skin. So my son grew up and has being used to such things. But when he moved to the US for his studies it was not so easy for him to find organic things. Here in Germany every little supermarket has almost every product or food in the organic version, too. We had a great development on that. People have changed and care more about what they eat or use: what things are inside, how was it produced... and it always starts with little steps. 😊 ... like a little plant - that's growing and growing ...

[@brianoliver5640]

Awesome, I’m blessed to have so many native bees 🐝 on our farm it blows me away and our neighbours up the road have twenty hives, this is the second year I’ve gone totally 100 percent organic only feeding compost, worm 🪱 castings and worm juice my garden has never ever produced this much yield and the amount of 🐞 ladybugs I’ve seen this year is absolutely amazing and I’ve hardly had any pest activity, going organic is a no brainer in my opinion 🪱🐝🌈😎Don’t panic it’s organic lol

[@yx6889]

Last year I planted a bunch of marigolds to help with controlling pests for my tomatoes and the bees and hummingbirds loved it! So this year I am adding more flowers! It makes the garden so beautiful and it helps the pollinators too! It's a total win-win, why not?!

[@erroleabrown4317]

Super good advice I’m so happy to hear someone talk about the real garden issues and the cycles that are so important to hungry bees that also need to eat, owesome stuff thank you so much for sharing your ideas and carding of your garden

[@NeuroBodyCoach]

Just had the same shock with my brokkoli on the Balcony. So many flowers, so many bees!

[@mompofelski4191]

We have gardened for years, but are still beginners - being slow to pick up on the mistakes we made or improvements we were not aware of - quite by accident we decided to plant a little box of yellow & hot orange dahlias and blue catmint and afuschia colored butterfly bush. And wowzers - the bees and butterflies have come in droves. We love it and decided to plant more of those next year. If I were to recommend one flower it would be that catmint which is a perrennial and does not disappoint. I had not even been familiar with it before this year. I am certain that the bees came FOR the flowers and then noticed our veggies- haha. It works for me. KEEP MAKING YOUR VIDEOS!

[@mattc3656]

2 years ago 1 put in 4 no dig beds on the lawn in our urban garden. We are organic and use compost and horse manure. This year we are stegged out with veg, bees (wild and domestic), inects, 3 broods of sparrows in the nest box. Pots of flowers, not much effort and we really do have a little bit of heaven. PS Never gardened before in my life! You can do it too, you really can and nature will help you!

[@gabbym7560]

I've had an allotment for only 2 years and have made the conscious effort in attracting pollinators by interplanting the veg with flowers and herbs. The bees love Comfrey which I've dedicated the peremiter of the plot, it's lovely working away being so close to foraging bees hearing them buzzing about. Your video is a reminder on why we grow organic and the absolute pleasure it provides in working alongside nature and receiving the benefits of tasty healthy grown food

[@myrustygarden]

My flowers that attract the most bees are giant marigolds and sedums. And yes I great them every time I go into the back garden veggie area. I hope those tea bags are not individually wrapped I’m trying right now to convince Lipton to stop wasting paper by individuallywrapping their bags. Thank you for sharing ✌️🇨🇦🐝 safe

[@barbaralong8665]

Thank you so much. This year I’m getting rid of lawn and have been adding lots of fruit trees and flowers. I saw a beautiful Monarch butterfly on flowers. The first I had seen in years. I have snow drops under my trees

[@manuelagilch3731]

Thank u so much Huw for encouraging all the people to overthink their gardening techniques! There is still hope in there.

[@AnaSabine]

I’m so thankful to have found your channel a few days ago. Having just moved across the US onto a 20+ acre, beautiful farm-to-be in Washington state, I’m in the stage of planning what I’m going to do with the land. While I always intended to go entirely organic, working with the land and providing a refuge for wildlife, your input has given me much more confidence to create something sustainable without becoming overwhelmed by the scale of the task. You are wonderfully clear and uncomplicated in your explanations and solutions, and I must say I feel inspired more than ever now that I’ve divorced myself from the notion that each step must be perfect, must have an exact process to work. By the spring, I hope to have a garden in and a substantial variety of flowers planted to bring back the pollinators. It’s work, a lot of it, but I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for the great videos, you’ve helped make this whole process feel far less daunting.

[@dn744]

I grew lots of flowers this year. I also gave 25% of my brassica plants to insects. So I sure got lots af caterpillars

[@HuwRichards]

Hahhaa yeah well at least caterpillars are good for the local garden bird population ;)

[@dn744]

@@HuwRichards I have lots, so its good to give back. Don't mind caterpillars on spares, as we still need some to live.

[@michel3386]

Thank you for this video Huw!!! I have been paying more attention to flowers and pollinators in the last few weeks because they are so important in nature. Planting more flowers is a very good and easy way to improve wildlife even in the cities.

[@holdinmuhl4959]

I recommend to plant peppermint. It is blooming here(Northern Germany) from August to September and the bees and bumblebees like it very much. And: The leaves you can harvest from spring on will give you a delicious tea.

[@lucre1178]

Thank you Huw, we’re just working on getting flowers and vegetable beds on our first home and I have been worried about all the blooming weeds in our yard. After this video I see them as an asset!

[@kriswalter560]

I always plant for pollinators and butterflies in the garden. It's food for them and a joy for me.

[@georgepursley2832]

We live at the intersection of three organic farms in western Wisconsin, USA. Three years back, we introduced a few garden hives and started a no till garden of mixed veg and flowers. This year we introduced a few free range ducks for slug control. From a few houseplants in a student apartment to commercial agriculture, a bit of forethought can bring bounty and joy as we strive to 'build Jerusalem in this green and pleasant land.'

[@losik01]

This should be told at schools.❤

[@revelation22.2]

It's April 23rd, 2022 in Rigby, Idaho, USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. I've got lots of buds on the trees, my forsythia is got yellow blooms, and various bulbs are both growing tall, and others are already blooming. Today I put out some suet for the birds and sprinkled some cover crops at the fence line of my back yard behind the established landscape trees. They'll hardly be seen, but will improve the soil and bring in pollinators. Last year I added lots of berries to my yard, (blueberries, blackberries, golden currants, saskatoon serviceberries, goji berries, jostaberries, and elderberries), plus apple trees, to replace the non fruiting apple trees, the original homeowner planted, lilacs, and the state flower of Idaho, Lewis Syringa, also known as Mock-Orange.

[@julie-annepineau4022]

My first year gardening so there was a massive increase in flowers for the pollinators and they loved it. I also left radishes to go to seed all summer. the bees and hover flys were always sampling them.

[@HuwRichards]

Oh that's awesoe Julie! Such a great way to help them!

[@sharon1615]

I'm definitely going to plant more flowers, it's been insane with the amount of insects I've seen, 100s of red admiral, they are beautiful 🥰

[@ieri_creations]

My plan is to add a wall of sunflowers at the edge of my garden and plant early flowers in every area of my garden.

[@mikaelakayl8677]

A couple of years now I have had a small permaculture and no dig garden. Last year I'we added horsemanure (before I only used rabbitmanure). Usually I let flowering herbs, yarrow and other native wild flowers/weeds grow into flower to help the pollinator. Last year I added comfrey and the bumblebees loved it. This year I'm gonna have a little larger garden and planting more flowers.

[@margemoore6634]

Thank you so much for this info....I want to turn my lawn into a food space and these lovelies will keep it bursting with life

[@adz5bneweng589]

First gardener I've ever seen on KZbin using my all time favorite tool - the not-so-humble D hoe (aka stirrup hoe, shuffle hoe)! Amazing tool! Cut my weeding from 8 hours to 2 hours.

[@lurandah]

My lawn is full of dandelions and in the spring you can see all the pollinators coming straight for it. Dandelions and clover grow really well where I live and I make a point to keep it for them and they paid it back amazingly with all the produce I got from my very first garden! Next year, I'm adding zennias, nasturnums and marigolds!

[@Jade-yq1et]

Our neighbours grow swan plants for the monarchs and the caterpillars March across our property every year in search of food. This summer I’ve grown a butterfly garden full of flowers for the butterflies and swan plants for the caterpillars. I also left my kale to flower in spring which was teaming with different pollinators.

[@mieketrouw4784]

Thank you so much for your inspiring video, Huw. About a year ago I bought a house with a large vegetable garden, and every time I need some information about growing vegetables I turn to your wonderful channel and books. I learnt so much from you! As for pollinators: the previous owners planted lots of perennial flowering plants in the vegetable garden and left me seeds for quite a few beautiful annuals. As a result, my vegetable garden has been buzzing with insects for months, which is absolutely wonderful. I love all the flowers you mentioned and I agree they are bee magnets. I also bought some Phacelia seeds. The Dutch name for Phacelia is 'bijenbrood', which means 'bread for the bees'. I can confirm the bees adore these pretty flowers! :-) Warm regards from a Dutch fan

[@billiverschoore2466]

inderdaad Phacelia; en zo'n práchtige bloem ook 🌳🕊💚

[@scsfulsarahr598]

I'm so very happy you did this video!! Nice to see you using your success for what's important. 🥰

[@KristinGasser]

Thank you again for these inspirations! We also had Calendula everywhere in between and Nasturium between the climbing beans as you suggestet before. Cale, Rucola, Beet Roots and Bietola are already flowering for seeds! It is sooooo beautiful! Next year we defenately have more different flowers... As we already always choose organic! I totally love the idea of seed bombs and I gonna make a project for my Association of it, to spread pollinators food and pretty flowers everywhere...

[@TheRickie41]

Great, I changed for organic chocolate, dark one. Now I'm going for the tea, too. By the way, my grains are already organic, I love to sprout them for bible bread. The garden is full with bee- and insectfriendly bushes and flowers, and the Lord sent me a beefamily to live in a broken branch of my willow in August. Now I need help from a local beekeeper to install a hive beneath, so that they can move into a comfy house for winter...much love from France!!

[@MariA-nw5qx]

I'm glad you mentioned dandelions! Dead nettles are also appreciated by insects in my area. Can I also ask good-hearted people to provide water for bees and other insects during the summer? I simply fill water in a small container and leave a twig in (the top is above the water) so that the insect could perch on it to drink/sip water.

[@billiverschoore2466]

mud, as in a tray full of mud, is also effective. If you don't have a pond with a 'wetland' bit. 💚

[@JolleanSmith]

I could not be more aligned with your suggestions. Bravo!

[@laurareimer9449]

I love these tips! Thank you so much for sharing Huw! I would love to see more videos like this!! ❤️

[@irenemauro1347]

I completely agree with you! My garden sometimes has a craziness to it because I intermix flowers and herbs with my veggies, but I sure get the pollinators. I live in a suburb in BC, Canada, so am happy to give those pollinators a place to be. I'm always amazed at all the different species. I learned that one mason bee can do the work equal to 100 honeybees. And yes to letting those brassicas go to flower!

[@sandrareaves]

Great video! I already consume mostly organics - well, at least non-GMO. I’ll choose coffee, since I don’t always get organic. Thanks for the urging to make this marginal change. And thanks for the discussion of pollinators. I’ll choose some seeds for early blooming plants. We have a nice-sized young orchard, too. It would be so pretty with wildflowers in it. Right now it’s just centipede and some bahiagrass. The wildflowers will be a boost for getting the fruit blossoms pollinated. love your videos!!

[@billiverschoore2466]

😆 the most organic thing you can do re coffee is to wean yourself off it! 💚

[@Munchkinzi]

Lovely idea about the bombs! I had all my Brussel sprouts go to seed this spring and the insects absolutely loved them....then they surprised me and sent out more sprout shoots again this year! The same thing has happened with my broccoli and cauliflower that I let flower this summer; they've sent out side shoots at the base after the flowers have gone to seed, meaning the pollinating insects and us humans can both enjoy them this year!!! Side note....my kids love eating the brassica flowers with their sweetness and it made me realise that rapeseed is a brassica!!! Love learning something new every day! I've been watching your early videos on apple tree care today as my neglected old trees that came with the house are in dire need of some extra tlc! Darn wooly aphids! If you have some info or videos of when the best times to prune them would be, or how hard to prune them when they're 13 feet tall and overcrowded....point me at it! Always something on the grow, Sammi (South Cheshire)

[@melindaedgington9925]

I know you need to prune when they are sleeping (February for us here in British Columbia). I find this much easier anyway because you do not have all those leaves in the way. I can not give you any advice however on how to prune an over grown tree.

[@davidkottman3440]

Pruning is best seen as a multi year process, rather than a task to be finished. First to go are branches growing from one side to the other across the center of the tree. Start with the most obvious & go on to another tree when feeling uncertain, next time you come back to the tree you will see what you want to cut next. Good luck & search for pruning guides & tutorials

[@louise2209]

We’ve decided to stop fighting the many buddleia in the garden and work with them instead. I’ve been dead heading them to stop the spread of their seed, chopping down stems/branches with no flowers or new buds and leaving them to dry out on the grass. I’ll use the leaves in the compost and chip the hardened wood for mulch and when they’ll regrow to be as sizeable and as useful for me and the bees (I hope!). I also will separate the sedum in a couple of months so it can spread even further and provide more flowers in autumn for the bees and pollinators next year.