Phacelia tanacetifolia

[alldigging]

This Phacelia tanacetifolia is on my list for next year.

Where can I get it cheapest?


So far I think
greenmanure.co.uk/phacelia.htm
is cheapest 25g for £1.15 with postage £0.95

[Bren In Pots]

Have you tried eBay ?

[alldigging]

Haven't yet but will!

[zazen999]

This evening, I picked a load of seeds from mine that I cut down last week - if you want them PM me, and send me 2 large letter stamps and your address on a label.

I haven't weighed them but just leave some to go to seed and you will never have to buy any again as it self seeds prolifically. Just collect some dry ones like I've done tonight.

[alldigging]

Fab! Thank you so much!

[redser]

Is this the same plant that is used as green manure? Or are there types that are different? Looking into sowing something as the beds are starting to empty and Phacelia looks good/nice.

[alldigging]

Yes!

On the link I found it originally (a green manure site) they say: Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees!

[redser]

Thanks, going to try green manure for first time and this looks like a nice one to have for insects too

[zazen999]

Yes it is - coincidentally; if you leave it to finish for the bees, it coincides with the exact same time that the first seeds are setting. Hence me having quite a fair amount that I could collect for our chum here.

This was some of mine about 14 days ago.

[redser]

mind if I ask zazen, so would I be best not to let it flower? Am looking for something to cut down and dig into the beds, hopefully before December and then cover them up with black plastic. Just wondering if that would put seeds into the soil. Cheers

[alldigging]

Thanks zazen999! You're a star!

[zazen999]

mind if I ask zazen, so would I be best not to let it flower? Am looking for something to cut down and dig into the beds, hopefully before December and then cover them up with black plastic. Just wondering if that would put seeds into the soil. Cheers

Sorry just seen this. If you use it as a green manure you cut it before it flowers. I let it flower for the bees and then cut it down just as the seeds are ripe and put the trimmings pretty much where I want it next year and it self seeds itself.