It’s a beautiful autumn, but unfortunately most of the arable fields around Haslingfield and Harlton are currently deserts for wildlife. However, a recent walk near the L-Moor in Shepreth revealed these two gorgeous looking fields which were sown with phacelia (the purple ones), sunflowers, white and yellow flowering mustard, and amaranth or goosefoot (still green in one field, but yellow orange and full of seed in the second). Both phacelia and mustard are what’s known as “green manures” - plants which lift nitrogen and return it to the soil when re-incorporated into the field. They also grow quickly and suppress weeds. Phacelia, like its relative, comfrey, is a magnet for bees and other insects too. Amaranth and sunflowers provide bounties of seeds for wildlife. The two fields look very different right now - I don’t know why that is as it seems like a similar seed mix was planted - must be to do with the soil? Answers welcome!
