Evening all - busy afternoon in the garden after a nail biting morning.
@star gaze lily - sorry the in-between responses weren't there when I posted about the box this morning. Yes - definitely box caterpillar.
Now you've removed the box I would dig in some well rotted farmyard manure and then leave the area for 4-6 weeks for the manure to be diluted and incorporated (simply because if it's still a bit 'strong' it can burn the roots of new plants). I don't think there's any other reason to delay planting the plants you've chosen - even if the box had been affected by blight. You should be able to get planting at the end of September - perfect for shrubs🙂
I'm going to give my balls another year. This year seems to have been particularly bad for the moth and the balls are an important design element of the garden - they are now nearly 3' in diameter. I'm going to research some control methods and may even consider (don't shoot me please) using an insecticide for a single application next year to try to get rid.
Can't remember the last time I used a pesticide (years ago for vine weevil I think) and am having a guilt trip thinking about it. But it would only be on those 5 plants and it would only be after I've done lots of research to ascertain the optimum time in the life cycle for application. If that cleans things up I'll consider using nematodes thereafter.
If it doesn't - it'll have to be yew balls instead....😢
Rubee - meant to say - what lovely family history reminders you have. Very precious. I remember Briggate from my time working in Leeds - but in the 80's and 90's it looked nothing like those photos!!!
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Good afternoon all. Firstly, I do have to say that the better team won today and I'm waiting grief from my Ozzie rellies!
SGL I am so sorry that you are going through one of the agonising troughs after your loss. I do hope that you got some small comfort from the Poppets. We are here for you if you feel you want to offload at all.
Wonderful pictures of your great great great grandmother's pub Ruby and so nice that you have a permanent reminder with the sketch and photograph. I love the cobbled street.
I have heard a lot about box blight and caterpillars after Monty took out his box hedging at Longmeadow. It is not a plant that I have ever had but I can imagine the heartache when something you have been cherishing for a while is suddenly ravaged. Lots of excellent advice given there from @AnniD (hello there!), T'Bird and Busy, SGL.
Hazel, I was sorry to hear about the confirmation of your brother's health difficulties this week. My middle brother, who had the stroke in June, continues to make very good progress thank goodness, though we all still keep a careful eye on things.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
I am signing out for today. I'm creaking a bit today after yesterday's tidying up in the garden. I don't think that there is anything I want to watch on TV tonight so I will be reading. I hope you all have peaceful evenings. See you tomorrow.
......bit like me at the end of the match!
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
Thank you @Busy-Lizzie and @Topbird will definitely get something to mix in the ground before planting anything. Hope you can save your box ball Topbird. Thank you too @Ladybird4 for your kind words x @Songbird-2 I've been thinking of a rose or shrub for OH, thank you for thinking about something too. x
LB, have a nice time with your friend. I saw your photos and it seems that you had wonderful time few days ago. Pity that we have nothing similar here.
I had another few busy days. New heat wave doesn't help at all. Till next Friday temperature should remain around 35 ℃ or more. Today I must go to the school, but still have some time to rest.
Morning everyone, Slept a bit better last night, but still awake since 6 🤦🏻♀️ Looks very overcast outside and feels very muggy. Need to go to SM for a few bits, just a quick visit. How exciting @Ladybird4 doing a video application for Pointless! Do hope you get through. Would be lovely to 'see you' and cheer you on. 🤗 Take care in the heat @Ante1 don't do too much 🥵
Good morning everyone .Ante good that you have time to rest today .Lily I always have a rest in the afternoon .I hope you have time to put your feet up . LB I can imagine it will be very hard to keep a straight face when making your video.Deep breaths you can have a giggle afterwards.Seriously I am sure you will do very well.
Posts
@star gaze lily - sorry the in-between responses weren't there when I posted about the box this morning. Yes - definitely box caterpillar.
Now you've removed the box I would dig in some well rotted farmyard manure and then leave the area for 4-6 weeks for the manure to be diluted and incorporated (simply because if it's still a bit 'strong' it can burn the roots of new plants). I don't think there's any other reason to delay planting the plants you've chosen - even if the box had been affected by blight. You should be able to get planting at the end of September - perfect for shrubs🙂
I'm going to give my balls another year. This year seems to have been particularly bad for the moth and the balls are an important design element of the garden - they are now nearly 3' in diameter. I'm going to research some control methods and may even consider (don't shoot me please) using an insecticide for a single application next year to try to get rid.
Can't remember the last time I used a pesticide (years ago for vine weevil I think) and am having a guilt trip thinking about it. But it would only be on those 5 plants and it would only be after I've done lots of research to ascertain the optimum time in the life cycle for application. If that cleans things up I'll consider using nematodes thereafter.
If it doesn't - it'll have to be yew balls instead....😢
Rubee - meant to say - what lovely family history reminders you have. Very precious. I remember Briggate from my time working in Leeds - but in the 80's and 90's it looked nothing like those photos!!!
Hope you can save your box ball Topbird.
Thank you too @Ladybird4 for your kind words x
@Songbird-2 I've been thinking of a rose or shrub for OH, thank you for thinking about something too. x
Also, a young Brit won bronze medal in the 100m, with the same time as the silver medal winner.
Sport isn't all about football.
Just as well.
Goodnight all.
LB, have a nice time with your friend. I saw your photos and it seems that you had wonderful time few days ago. Pity that we have nothing similar here.
I had another few busy days. New heat wave doesn't help at all. Till next Friday temperature should remain around 35 ℃ or more. Today I must go to the school, but still have some time to rest.
Wish you all a lovely day and see you later.
Looks very overcast outside and feels very muggy. Need to go to SM for a few bits, just a quick visit.
How exciting @Ladybird4 doing a video application for Pointless! Do hope you get through. Would be lovely to 'see you' and cheer you on. 🤗
Take care in the heat @Ante1 don't do too much 🥵
LB I can imagine it will be very hard to keep a straight face when making your video.Deep breaths you can have a giggle afterwards.Seriously I am sure you will do very well.