Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand July/August 2020 | Page 32

They are annuals in all zones and bloom from late summer until the first frost. You can start them indoors or direct sow them into the garden after the last frost. They get pretty huge and may need staking and supports to keep standing tall as the season goes on. Nasturtiums are a staple in my garden. They sprawl and spread with their beautiful, edible leaves and flowers that are a spicy addition to salads. Bees, hummingbirds, and aphids love them, so they are also a great trap crop if you are looking for organic pest-control methods. They are annuals in most places but can be grown as perennials in zones 9-11, and bloom from early summer to fall. You can start them indoors or direct sow them in the garden after the last frost. Lavender is a beautiful and sweet-smelling addition to any garden, and bees love it! It grows well in zones 7-9 and blooms in late spring. It can rebloom in late summer in some regions. It has medicinal benefits and can be used in many beauty treatments. You can start lavender from seed indoors and then transplant it outdoors after the last frost. It loves hot sun and dry soil, so don’t overwater it. English lavender grows best in cooler climates, while Spanish and French varieties do well in hot and humid climates. Bees love basil when it blooms, although many people try to prevent blooming by pinching its flowerheads so they get a larger harvest of leaves for pesto and other sauces. However, if left to its own devices, basil will bloom from midsummer to first frost. It can be grown as an annual in most zones, or as a perennial in zone 10 and above. Plant it where it will get six to eight hours of full sun and the soil is rich, moist, and well-draining. Basil is not only delicious in many meals, but also has medicinal benefits. Milkweed is a host plant and the only food source for monarch butterflies and caterpillars, and should be grown by every gardener who wants to save this endangered species. It can be grown as an annual in most zones, and as a perennial in zones 9-10. It can be started indoors or sown directly in the garden and will bloom from early summer to fall. Bee balm attracts and feeds all your favourite pollinators — bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds — from late spring through fall in zones 3-9. It prefers sun to partial shade and moist, rich, slightly acidic soil. Zinnias can be grown as an annual in all zones and attracts bees and butterflies. They bloom 60-70 days after sowing and can be succession planted throughout the season until they die back after the first frost. They prefer sun but will tolerate some shade and need rich, well-draining soil. “Since different pollinators are attracted to different types of plants, you’ll want to include a variety of flowers that specifically attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.” 32 Maximum Yield