May 28, 2010
I hope that you've already got some pest protection in your organic garden by now.
I wanted to give you a reminder and leave you a few quick ideas on what you can do to solve the seasonal problems.
- IN THIS ISSUE:
- Gardening Women on Kindle (for America)
- Grow more garden companions
- How to see the birds off
-
How I treat slugs and snails
- results of my beer comparison test - Will your garden strawberries make it to Wimbledon's lawns?
1 - Gardening Women
Catherine Horwood recalls the little recognised achievements of women gardeners and horticulturalists. Her remarkable stories span from the 17th century to the present day.Delivered to your Kindle by international wireless delivery - the Kindle's paper-like display is visible even under bright sunlight.
And now you can read for up to a week on one charge - it's perfect for relaxing in the garden, remote locations and while travelling. You'll find 'Gardening Women' on Kindle
along with expert garden writers and your favourite novelists in books delivered by wireless with this link.
2 - Grow more garden companions
If you've got room for more plants in your garden spare a thought for companion planting.I've planted garlic around the inside edge of my greenhouse. I give their leaves a little shake to get those garlic defence juices flowing.
The whitefly that were among my strawberries haven't been spotted this year thanks to last year's Tagetes 'Tomato Growing Secret'.
On the other hand pots of Sweet Basil attract greenfly - away from your plants - so I'll be able to trap them all there. That's joy.
There are many recent books on companion planting plus new releases due out soon.
Look for Companion Plants - U.K. in browse by category on this link (waite for full page load).
Look for Companion Plants - America in browse by category on this link.
3 - How to see the birds off
Fruit blossoms - later than expected - have turned out glorious. I hope you're looking forward to a big crop of apples, blackcurrants, blueberries...Birds can be a menace - carelessly exploring unprotected fruit blossoms, then gorging on soft fruit - from strawberries to blackberries.
They start testing the fruit about now. Stop them now before they learn to make a habit of it.
My blog explains how cunning birds broke through my defences last year and lessons learned.
Keep animal pests at bay:
- wild birds - your pets - cuddly squirrels - not so shy deer
and off your most important plants.
UK animal defences - nets, simple kits and cages
For American gardens - more animal defences for American gardens
Pigeons are another menace - they can wipe out a crop in one early morning swoop. They'll be flocking again soon to devour your spring sown brassica plants. Find out more on my blog.
What birds are menaces in your garden? Use my contact page to let me know how you deal with it.
4 - How I deal with slugs and snails
There are lots of pricey slug organic controls, many are messy and not that effective. I wanted to check how effective beer was at attracting and killing slugs and snails.Believe it or not I tested a couple of different beers to find out. Do the slugs and snails, prefer the low cost beer to an ordinary beer?
"Y O U C A N N O T B E S E R I O U S !"
Perhaps I just can't keep my beer and strawberries until next months Wimbledon!
But I found an effective low-cost slug protector (see below).
5 - Will your garden strawberries make it to Wimbledon's lawns?
The upcoming Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship may give you an excuse to get a few beers in (if only to ensure your garden strawberries make it through to harvest).These links may wet your appetite.
More garden beer for you all - America
Tickets for Wimbledon are here.
But if, like me, you don't usually have beer sloshing around in the fridge to share with the critters - I devised an even lower cost improvised alcohol.
Check my blog for results of slug and snail traps / bait.
Until next time - happy Gardening.
From: The home of The Organic Gardener.
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