Just planting it now. Will let you know

May 15, 2023 we planted 5 foot wide pollinator strips right beside the full length of multiple 50 x 15 foot vegetable beds outside Lancaster, Ohio. June 10 the mix was 2-3 feet tall with the first open buckwheat and mustard flowers. Beneficial insect and spider populations rose visibly in the mix and in the crops by June 10, increasing sharply by June 21. July 2 the mix was 5 feet tall, flowering profusely, and vibrant green despite 3 hot, dry weeks. After July 20, beneficial insect/spider populations and flowering started slowly declining but stayed significant through our last harvests on September 19. Pest suppression was excellent. From April to September, we saw two vine borer moths, rare aphids, occasional spotted cucumber beetles and, after mid-August, scattered squash bugs. But all crops stayed healthy and produced well. Without insecticides or other suppressants, we lost 1 pattypan squash plant (out of 60 cucurbit plants) to vine borers and had negligible pest issues in corn, onions, peas, beans, sunflowers, etc. Another bed without pollinator mix lost 10 of 10 pumpkins to vine borers and squash bugs. Total decimation. (We were too tied down after surgery to spray.) Weed suppression in the mix area was good. Minor disadvantages: 1) We expect some volunteer pollinator plants next year. 2) We used old seed we bought in 2022 or 2021, which used to include decorative gourd seeds. With 5 ft strips, the vines meandered too far and could be a cucurbit crop rotation issue.

This pollinator blend is so awesome. The honey bees and wild bees absolutely love it. So much diversity and it all thrives. No fertilization, no irrigation, and no pesticides or fungicides. We've had 17 days this summer over 100 degrees and long dry spells. You wouldn't know it looking at these pics.