Wildflowers as revolution:

[applegrove]

Last edited Thu Aug 7, 2025, 09:51 AM - Edit history (1)

* not required by law actually. But you can get a grant for doing so.

[sl8]

1. Fact Check: Danish farmers are not required by law to grow flowers for bees

Note that this is from 4 years ago.

https://www.reuters.com/article/fact-check/danish-farmers-are-not-required-by-law-to-grow-flowers-for-bees-idUSL1N2P916A/

Fact Check: Danish farmers are not required by law to grow flowers for bees

By Reuters Fact Check
August 2, 2021 10:42 AM EDT
Updated August 2, 2021

Contrary to a claim shared over 2,000 times on Facebook, farmers in Denmark are not legally required to dedicate 5% of their land to cultivate flowers to protect bees.
[ see article for Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram links ]

It is “an option, not a requirement”, Denmark’s Ministry of Environment and Food told French outlet 20 Minutes in April 2021, when asked about the social media posts ( here ).

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Food also confirmed to Reuters via email that Denmark “has no national legislation” that requires this.

It is true, however, that farmers across the European Union can get compensation for implementing more sustainable practices in their land, according to the European Commission ( here ). [bad link]

[...]

[applegrove]

2. Thanks. It is an option not a requirement.

[markie]

3. not required

but encouraged.... "While farmers in Denmark are not required to plant flowers for bees, they can voluntarily dedicate a portion of their land to growing crops meant to boost biodiversity in exchange for a grant."

would be wonderful if we had that ideology

[IbogaProject]

6. Better than a mandate

As it can't be done shoddy. To earn the grant requirements need to be met. Small speciality farms can skip if they wish.

[Walleye]

27. I'm trying to imagine the Maga reaction to planting wildflowers for bees.

They think human beings are the only important living things on the planet. And only Americans at that, white Americans.

[pansypoo53219]

4. when i was there in april. i saw a huge bee. tulips. but all i saw was birches + pines + birds? bl/wh crows + english

crap sparrows. i did see 2 maples at an old church tho.

re-wilding happening tho.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. NCDOT plants lots of flowers all along NC highways.

https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/wildflower/Pages/default.aspx

The N.C. Department of Transportation Wildflower Program began in 1985 as an integral part of highway beautification. Wildflower beds are installed and maintained across the state by Roadside Environmental personnel in each of the 14 highway divisions. Many of these beds are marked by NCDOT's wildflower sign.

NCDOT has published a booklet* to identify the wildflowers planted by the Department as well as some naturally occurring ones. In addition to colorful photos of the various wildflowers, the booklet contains suggested seeding recommendations for homeowners and the installation techniques used by Roadside Environmental personnel on large acreages.

~Remember, for your own safety, do not stop and pick the wildflowers.

*PDF Download of booklet: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/wildflower/Documents/ncdot-wildflower-booklet.pdf

❤️

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. Certainly better than all the kudzu! (n/t)

[radical noodle]

12. LOL!

Do any farmers really cultivate that stuff? On the other hand, you'd sure save money on fertilizer.

[eppur_se_muova]

20. It was introduced as a way of consolidating earthern berms between fields -- for the benefit of farmers, supposedly.

Also roadside embankments, for low-maintenance erosion control

Not well-tested before being implemented.

[radical noodle]

26. I once met a woman who had

a background in textiles. Apparently kudzu can be made into fabric and/or paper, although AFAIK no one here does it.

[eppur_se_muova]

32. True ! Also kudzu jelly -- recipes online or you can buy it from commercial makers ! nt

[radical noodle]

34. I've never seen that

Thanks for the tip! I'll look for it.

[OldBaldy1701E]

35. So, for those who are not aware of this.

Back in the day, there were vast swatches of kudzu in and around Raleigh, North Carolina. My favorite patch was the one that was trying to swallow the Lake Boone Trail exit. As I understand it, none of that stuff is there any more, but back in the day, it reached the tops of the trees. There were whole houses buried in that stuff.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

8. I love my wildflowers!

Last year, I added mixed wildflowers to my flower & shrub garden in the front of my property and have enjoyed them more than my other flowers due to what they attract.

I enjoy just standing out in the middle of the plot, watching dozens of bees and other pollinators and even witnessed a juvenile Monarch this spring. I'm sure the neighbors think I'm crazy and say "what the hell is that old man doing?"

But the most joyous moment this year was a flock of goldfinches that come to feast on the Black-eyed Susan plants every day, as I can watch through my front windows.

Highly recommended for any garden although they can overshadow other plants with a lot of shade. Most are perennials, propagate on their own and are tough as nails.

[applegrove]

9. "what the hell is that old man doing?"

Out standing in his field????

[eppur_se_muova]

19. Just being outstanding ! nt

[KY_EnviroGuy]

28. I have balance problems as well, so they probably think I'm drunk too.

KY (34 years sober)..........

[eppur_se_muova]

33. It could be worse -- you could be wandering around on top of your roof, shouting at people. nt

[Delmette2.0]

18. We would see Black Eyed Susans along the highway.

When Mom told me what they were called I had loved all types of sunflowers. And the name has a special reference to me.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

30. Mine are about neck-high and produce lots of seeds in big fat pods.

The goldfinches are amazing as they hold on to the flower's stem, then reach around and peck out the seeds.

[eppur_se_muova]

21. Plant the appropriate milkweed for your region, and help Monarchs repopulate ...

https://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/milkweed-regions-seed-needs/

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/gardening/attracting-butterflies/types-milkweed/ (AVOID tropical milkweed!)

Milkweed used to be very common in our area, found on every vacant lot -- now I haven't seen a single one in years.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

25. Thank you - lots there to digest.

My small plots are filling up fast, with thousands of flower and shrub choices.

I think I can make room for several of the Butterfly Weed variety. I like that short variety (2 ft. to 2-1/2 ft.) considering I've got too many tall pollinator plants now.

Bookmarked those two sites for winter gardening study!.........

[NJCher]

10. I "mandate" them in community gardens

I run community gardens (which become STEM gardens in the school year) and I "mandated" we use a certain amount of beds for flowers bees love.

Had to laugh when I recently looked up at a raised bed of sunflowers. There appeared to be a black or gray cloud over it! It was bees!

Hey, this is only 3 gardens of around 70 raised beds in Northern NJ, but maybe it will be an inspiration to others.

[applegrove]

11. Amazing.

[littlemissmartypants]

14. Good on you, Cher!

[NJCher]

23. TY and a Pic

Thanks, LMSP!

Here's a pic from last year. The bed where the sunflowers are this year is the first one on the right, where you see the tomatoes growing.

This year we also have them in the bed closest to the greenhouse by the fence.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. You're welcome, Cher. It's beautiful! Thank you for sharing the picture! ❤️

[littlemissmartypants]

15. Good on you, Cher!

❤️

[NickB79]

13. Most of my 1.5 acres is prairie restoration

We live on a paved road but in a rural area. Driving down you see a dozen houses, all on acreage, all perfectly manicured lawns. Then you see our 5-6' tall jungle of bluestem, compass plant, coneflower, beebalm, phlox, Culver root, etc.

Pretty sure my retired neighbor doesn't like it, and I have to watch for herbicide drift from his yard, but fuck it. My yard has so much wildlife, it's insane. At least my other neighbor thanked me for all the songbirds and butterflies she sees in her yard thanks to me.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

31. You're a hero!

I'm grateful I live in a low-income suburban non-HOA neighborhood where there are always lawns that looks far worse than mine which has beautiful wildflowers and I only mow when I feel up to it......

At 77, I'm like you and don't give a shit........

[Botany]

16. America has literally millions of such projects.

https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

https://xerces.org/

https://www.monarchwatch.org/

Btw I am kind of an expert in this stuff.



Btw part 2 Lady Bird Johnson was a real pioneer in this field.

https://www.wildflower.org

[applegrove]

17. Great.

[eppur_se_muova]

22. Thanks for the link ! As soon as I saw "Tallamy" I knew that was a good site ! nt

[wendyb-NC]

29. Smart move, thoughtful and beneficial

It adds so much beauty to the countryside and benefits pollinators. Sounds like a win, win idea. Our country should do the same.