School holiday time again!!! our eight munch bunch around our table and romping through the garden during this first week. Scruff is once again in his element being taken for runs rather than walks.
Weeds, weeds, weeds are loving the big rain last week, I can not believe how many have been pulled from our garden, mostly biddy bid and chick weed, they need to be removed before they make seed to stop future germination. Convolvulus is a harder weed to get rid of as it grows a network of long running roots under the soil. Digging these out gets the best results but if convolvulous is growing amongst plants this would not be possible so spot weed spraying maybe the only answer becuse every little piece of root will grow it's own network of roots.
All seedlings potted up in the last couple of weeks are growing in front of my eyes, now that days are warm it is best to pot seedlings on into individual pots for roots to become established before planting out because small seedlings have almost zero survival rate if planted out into a dry garden. Strong growing plants like sun flowers and delphinium seeds are best planted straight into peat pots and once the pot is filled with new roots plant pot and all, the strong roots will grow out through the pot as it breaks down.
Hosta's are pushing fresh new leaves out for waiting slugs! put sharp gravel under hosta's and spray with fish emulsion to deter them. I have flittle Peking bantams who take care of snails and slugs in my garden, they are very short in the leg which only allows minimal scratching compared to long legged hens.
Companion planting:
With all the planting going on right now companion planting could be the way to go, Gardeners from the past have documented successful companion planting knowledge down through the years for us to follow. Some plants give off an aroma that is disliked by unwanted insects and others are thought to enhance the growth of certain plants if planted along side them.
Nasturtiums attract caterpillars, so planting alongside or around vegetables such as lettuces, broccoli and cabbages should mean the nasturtium will get attacked rather than your edible crop. Fox Gloves have stimulating effects on all plants in the garden, a welcome addition to the flower and veggie garden. Marigolds have a scent that repels aphids and attracts hover flies, which are predator insects, Mexican tagetes,( the lovely tiny marigolds), and French marigold, are invaluable to companion planting. Cabbage white butterfly are attracted to leaf veg by smell, planting rows of Mexican tagete is effective in masking the smell and reducing cabbage butterfly damage. A secretion from the roots of the Mexican tagetes deter eel worms so your potatoes and tomatoes are left alone. Tagetes and calendula marigolds planted near tomatoes and roses will reduce aphid attack and attract hover-flies, voracious eaters of these pests. Basil and tomatoes are a well-known combination, great companions in the kitchen as well as the garden. Garlic, chives and parsley can be beneficial planted with Roses as aphid deterrents. Dill is popular with bees and planted with corn will ensure a bumper crop. Sage is a great herb to plant around a celery crop, as it helps to keep the aphids away. Carrots and leeks work well planted together, they both have strong aromas, which repel other other pests. Hyssop also repels white butterfly from cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli and other brassica crops.
Vegetables: Potatoes will be up so mounding begins to encourage more potatoes per shore. Warm enough now to get corn started, but protect during cold nights and plant out when frosts have past in groups so they support each other and pop some dill around to attract bees.
The dreaded carrot fly is about in October when carrots are being thinned, plant seed sparingly to avoid thinning and dont leave any thinings about planted rows for the carrot fly to smell and if you have had prblems in the past, cover rows with shade cloth to keep the flys out while they are on the wing.
Fruit: Bees are busy working at pollinating fruit bushes and trees, keep water up to them and mulch with unsprayed grass clippings right out to their drip line to keep moisture there, and organise netting for bird protection.
Check all apples trees for woolly aphid ( white furry aphids on branches) spray tree with garlic, pyrethrum and neem oil (mixed)
Our garden is looking very pretty right now and ready for viewing should people be interested in taking a drive out to Weston, plenty of seating so bring a picnic.
Cheers, Linda
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