On-farm insectaries are areas of flowering plants that attract and maintain beneficial insect populations by providing them with a source of shelter and alternative food sources, particularly pollen and nectar.

This is aligned with one of the focus areas of the VegNET (North, West and South-East regions) project, and the trials aim to test and showcase the multiple benefits that NVIs can provide to vegetable growers.

The plants delivered to Boratto Farms this week in Bacchus Marsh include the medium shrub Lemon Beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus), the prostrate shrub Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium), and Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii).

With strong support from Melbourne Water, the conversion of dam surrounds into pollen sources for beneficial insects continues to garner interest in the region and beyond.

For more information, please contact VegNET – Victoria (North, West and South-East regions) Regional Development Officer Danielle Park on (03) 9882 0277 or email danielle.park@ausveg.com.au.

Pictured: Karen Thomas, Melbourne Water and Abigail Woods, Boratto Farms

Pictured: Karen Thomas (Melbourne Water) and Abigail Woods (Boratto Farms). Photo courtesy AUSVEG.