6th May 2025

Phacelia tanacetifolia

This rather attractive blue flowering plant is Phacelia tanacetifolia. It is planted by farmers as a cover crop. As it grows, it stores soil nutrients, which are returned to the soil when it is turned back in prior to the planting of the next crop. This lovely display is in a field adjacent to Chalkpit Lane, Summerfield.

The flowers are abundant and provide for many bees and other pollinating insects and their predators. Cover crops are beneficial to farmers as a means to improving soil health and are also an essential tool in nature-friendly farming.