Bees In Paris - Get seeding with Clover - trèfles pour Paris - LJN Blog Posts

The wealth of publicity and funding towards ensuring the bee population of Paris is not only maintained but increased is rarely seen on many environmental campaigns. It has struck a chord with the population not least as it is combined with the distressing international statistics of falling bee populations.As always designers and architects lead the way, whilst they were invited to do so, yet many professional apiculturalists, landscapers and horticulturalists as well scientists specialising in this are of study were not consulted as much as they could have been.The result is that there appears to be a real problem in the overall statement of the various projects which are ongoing, namely -the floral displays of Paris provide a huge resource for bee populations and as such many new hives can be introduced to allow further growth of a Paris based honey industry which also protects and helps maintain bee populations.The amount of urban tree planting in Paris is considerable and would rival any other equivalent city in the world. When these trees in turn flower there is a vast resource of pollen, but often limited to a short space of time. In between these flowering periods, the floral displays are no where near sufficient for the bee populations and are much better suited for Solitary Bees, of which little is being done to protect or increase homes for.As an aside an incredibly easy and quick trick to help provide conditions for Solitary bees: upturn a clay pot (s) into the edge of your lawn or planting beds. A few stones inside the bottom, with the drainage hole of the pot in line with the top of your soil.Most soils in Paris are poor alluvial soils, often with a sub strata compacted layer which has seen considerable amounts of potash added. Historically outside the Peripherique the landscape was afforested and little industrial practice carried out. As such the top soil layers are minimal, but free from contaminants and require regular watering to allow for grass swaths or planting of any plants.To cope with both the Bee problem and the poor conditions for year round green cover, clover appears to be an essential plant to be established across Paris and its banlieue districts.''Clover stays green all summer with little or no watering. Clover is relatively drought-tolerant and it greens up early in spring and remains green until the first frost. In the South, it may remain green all winter.Clover requires little or no mowing. White clover grows just 50mm - 200mm tall and requires little or no mowing to keep it orderly. However, some homeowners may prefer to mow in midsummer in order to deadhead old blooms and neaten the appearance of the lawn, or to prevent blooming.Clover never needs fertiliser. Clover is a nitrogen-fixing legume, a plant that essentially creates its own fertiliser... and fertilises nearby plants as well! Grass that is intermixed with clover will be healthier and greener with less effort than grass planted alone.Clover never needs herbicides. In fact, most herbicides kill clover. Fortunately...Clover out-competes other weeds. Anyone who has struggled to eradicate clover from a grass lawn can tell you how persistent it can be. Clover easily out-competes most other weeds and reduces the need for weeding or expensive herbicides.Clover grows well in poor soil. Clover tolerates a wide variety of soil conditions, including the poor-quality subsoil common around many new homes.Clover feels great on bare feet. Soft, lush, and cool, walking barefoot on a clover lawn is a luxurious treat.Clover's leaves and blossoms also have a mild, pleasant smell.Clover is immune to "dog patches." The urine of female dogs discolors lawn grasses. Clovers stays as green and lush as ever.Clover is inexpensive. Clover seed is extremely inexpensive. Average cost is about £6.50 / 7.20Euros per 1000 square metres. Homeowners who have been fighting clover as a weed get it for free, if they decide to stop fighting and let it grow''. (Adapted from http://hubpages.com/hub/Clover-Lawns)

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