Need help

[tracyberge69]

I have just realized this year, after having torts for 9 years now, that I have an abundunce of edible plants in my yard!!!! They are having a blast with lilys, hosta, etc. The largest amount flowering now is Bee Balm, and with all these plant lists posted I am either dense, blind or just don't have the proper name, Can someone help me? Is it safe

[Nina]

Hi and welcome to The Tortoise Table.

That's great that you have lots of edible plants in your yard, and your tortoise will definitely benefit from variety in his diet. Bee Balm is definitely edible, but always make sure that you have the correct plant as there is often the same common name for different plants. You can always type in the name of the plant in the search box on our website to double check (and if it isn't there then do ask us and we'll check it out for you). Here is our entry for Bee Balm:
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... Eo-ic7MI2E

What kind of lilies are growing in your garden? The reason I ask is that there are quite a few plants called 'Lily' and some of them are edible and some toxic.
For example, here is our entry for the ordinary Lily: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... Eo_0s7MI2E
Here is our entry for the Day Lily https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... EpAPc7MI2E
Here's the entry for Lily of the Valley: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... EpAas7MI2E
Here's the entry for Arum Lily https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... EpAxM7MI2E
and there are several more. If you type 'Lily' into the search box on the website https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk you will see the range of plants that have 'Lily' in the name, and if you aren't sure if yours is one of them, then just post a photo here, or send it to us at contact@thetortoisetable.org.uk and we will do our best to ID it for you.

I think your tortoise is going to have a lovely buffet from your yard this summer!

Best wishes,
Nina