Page 38 - ALG Issue 3 2023

conservation
Creating butterfly havens
How to Preserve Wild Spaces in Your Allotment for Garden Flutterers
The charity Butterfly Conservation are encouraging allotment owners to leave a portion of their plots for wildlife.
As butterflies and moths continue to face serious declines, the charity’s ‘Wild Spaces’ initiative is on a mission to create 100,000 Wild Spaces by 2026 to help improve the state of butterflies and moths. Anthony McCluskey, Wild Spaces Project Officer, offers valuable insights on creating an edible garden that provides food for humans and nourishes butterflies and moths.
One of the most gratifying aspects of gardening, particularly allotment gardening, is the ability to cultivate your own food. And growing food can also benefit nature too. Try not to see butterflies and moths as predators to your produce, but welcome visitors. Here’s how:
Most species of butterfly rely on nectar as a source of energy for their flights. Fortunately, many commonly grown culinary herbs are rich in nectar, making them an excellent choice. Among my favourites are thyme, particularly the ‘citrus’ thyme varieties, rosemary, and oregano (also known as marjoram). These herbs thrive in pots, planters, and even window boxes and balconies, as they can withstand drier conditions.
If you have a larger garden planter or herb bed, mint is an excellent option. I have an assortment of seven different mint varieties, including chocolate, pineapple, apple, peppermint, Moroccan, and orange mint. These plants flower in late summer, attracting a multitude of butterflies and bees. Throughout the summer, I use fresh mint leaves in salads.
I harvest whole stems from July onwards and dry them on a radiator or windowsill.
This method allows me to preserve the leaves and enjoy mint tea throughout the year. Once the leaves are completely
dry, store them in an airtight container, and they will remain fresh for months. It’s worth noting that mint tends to spread vigorously, so it is best to grow it in a larger planter or a pot buried in the ground to contain its roots.
The caterpillars of Mint Moths feed
on mint, oregano, and thyme. These moths are commonly found in herb gardens throughout England and Wales, although they are less prevalent in
© Matt Berry
shares a Scotland. fondness
With two generations per year, you
can observe the adults in flight during both spring and summer, identifiable
by their distinctive purple and gold patterned wings. While their caterpillars rarely cause significant damage to plants, it’s helpful to be aware of their appearance to avoid any unintended encounters. The caterpillars are green with numerous black dots along their bodies, gradually turning purple as they mature. They construct a delicate silk web to bind leaves together, creating a protective shelter. Since the caterpillars form their cocoons on the plant itself, leaving those stems undisturbed while harvesting mint is advisable. Instead, opt for unaffected leaves or pick from other stems.
The purple caterpillar sits on a green leaf. Plants from the Brassica family, such as cabbage, kale, and broccoli, are typically cultivated and harvested within the same year.
However, did you know that these plants produce abundant bright yellow flowers in their second year?
These flowers prove highly appealing to butterflies and moths, which is
why I always leave old kale and other brassicas in the ground after their leaves have become too tough and bitter for consumption. The same applies to ageing parsley and coriander plants. Once they begin to flower, their
for this herb—the Mint Moth!”
© Josie Latus
“Speaking
of mint,
it’s worth
mentioning
a moth that
38 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
© Mark Searle
© Dr Phil Gates
© Cath Wa