21.07.2023 - 22:21 / awaytogarden.com

pollinator plants to make room for, with uprising seeds’ brian campbell

NATIVE PLANTINGS are a giant part of the equation in supporting pollinators, but many other smaller efforts we can make with ornamental plants, and even the edibles we choose to grow, can add up, too. I was delighted to see the latest Uprising Seeds catalog was themed “Pollinate.” Brian Campbell, with Crystine Goldberg, grows organic seed at Uprising in Bellingham, Washington, and we talked about some of his favorite pollinator plants on the farm that are always abuzz with beneficial insect life.

“They’re our biggest unpaid staff workers,” says Brian. “They’re the pollinators that we depend on, so we really pay attention.”

We discussed why building up your pollinator palette of extra-early bloomers in particular is important; which families of plants have the most impact, and how certain flowering things like Alyssum and Phacelia may help attract aphid-fighting helpers–and even a bigger role for cilantro!

Read along as you listen to the Feb. 4, 2019 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on iTunes or Stitcher (and browse my archive of podcasts here).

planting for pollinators, with brian campbell

Q. I’ve missed talking to you guys, and I still remember how you taught me to grow better beets, for instance, one of the lessons I’ve gotten from you over the years. So, thank you for that. [Cyrstine and Brian are on the left, above, with their crew and baby Rio.]

A. Good.

Q. I’m a beet queen so… [laughter].

A. Wonderful.

Q. Love my beets. How many years now have you guys been at it at Uprising?

A. Yes, so we’ve been farming out here in Northwest Washington for about 15 years.

Q. Wow.

A. I think this is our 12th catalog we’ve put out, starting from like a little threefold