So here is the scene at the Gail and Bertie household on a typical Thursday, when, after my early morning walk around the park, I allow Gail out unsupervised for a few hours so she can meet her friends for a bicycle ride in the Aberdeenshire countryside.
Yesterday she came back from the ride with a flower in her bicycle bag, picked from a field the group had cycled past.
Obviously grown as some sort of cover crop, neither Gail nor her friends had been able to identify this unfamiliar plant.
Bertie to the rescue!
A cursory glance told me immediately that I was looking at Phacelia and I explained to Gail that farmers sow it as a fast establishing species that is very effective at suppressing weeds and preventing nitrogen leaching.
Even better, the flowers attract a ton of bees, and we all know that is Good Thing for nature.
Happy Nature Friday friends!
I might not be around much for the next few days as I am going for a mini-break to stay with neighbour Kirsty and my new poodle pal Ella, while Gail, with some apparent trepidation, flies down south to Sussex to attend her godson's wedding.
we love your flower lesson!!! and we wish you a super time with Ella and a super time for your Gail and all da best for da happy couple...
ReplyDeleteLots of good wishes from us here too.
ReplyDeleteBertie, what a clever boy you are, and what a pretty flower.
Last night my human and I watched "Poirot" - and guess what - there was a WFT in it! Some of the other people in the play were quite well known, but for us the WFT was definitely THE star! Everyone was so surprised when he solved the crime, but we weren't, we know how clever you are!
Have a super time with Kirsty and Ella.
Love,
Inca xx
You are so smart Professor Bertie! Next time we need to identify a flower, we'll be asking you! We hope that both you and Gail have fun on your mini-vacations!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteOh I say, that was most interesting! Pretty, productive and profitable (in terms of soil management). Thank you Bertie lad.
Now you enjoy your visit with Kirsty and Ella. I do hope Gail enjoys her visit south very much and that everything is safe and healthy. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Bertie what a fun Nature Friday Post and agricultural lesson about soil. Such a pretty way to take care of very impawtant soil management and pollinators. Of course my mind's eye was drawn to #1 you #2 the pop of red. I wonder what fun activities Ella and Kirsty have planned for your slumber party?!
ReplyDeleteGail very very good wishes to your godson and is bride. Have a safe and fun trip.
Hugs Cecilia
PS I came back to see if I remembered to tell Gail how much I love her tile foyer floor. Just gorgeous
ReplyDeletethanks Bertie for finding out what the flower is and it is a beauty plus home for the bees. i am sorry you will be left without your mom, and pray you will do well with the baby sitter
ReplyDeleteThat's a very pretty flower, Bertie. We hope you have a fun time with Ella and her mom and our paws are crossed that Gail stays safe on her travels.
ReplyDeleteThose are very pretty flowers! Too bad we don't have them here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful flower Gail found and how lucky she is to live with such a smart WFT to identify it!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy and the Gang
Clever Bertie (of course)! Lacy phacelia - also called purple tansy - is one of our favorite wildflowers to grow in our garden on the coast of Northern California. It truly is a magnet for bees.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Bertie knows all.
ReplyDeleteBertie - Your agricultural/horticultural knowledge is exemplary !
ReplyDeleteWow, you are a smart AND good-looking one Bertie! We hope you do well with your babysitter and that Gail does not worry too much. (but of course she might...)
ReplyDeleteRosie and Redford
Professor Bertie, we are glad you were able to solve the flower mystery. We hope you enjoy your time with friends and Gail enjoys the wedding. Lee and Phod
ReplyDeleteWe think we may have to put a crop of those in our little garden. The weeds are going crazy here.
ReplyDelete