I meant to come back to you Verdun as I had a reply from my Nematode supplier - Green Gardener.
They said I could bring my order forward but if I applied them now I would also need to make a second application at the end of September. If I wait for my delivery (w/b 12th Sept) i will only need the one application.
I've kept the delivery date as is based on their advice.
Just caught back up with this thread. You're right Verd - our conditions probably don't suit them. I've never had an issue with them.
Never mind 'leather jackets' they'd need fur coats....
do you see what I did there? That was a really good one Verd
We always have loads of crane flies but perhaps the soil and weather make it tricky for the larvae when they emerge. Even on the hills earlier this year, it wasn't 'the midge' that was the issue, it was the clouds of crane flies erupting out the ground with every step.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Heavy soil here Verd. Perhaps it's just not suitable for them. Also, by the time they emerge, could it be too cold here so they don't all survive?
I've never had leatherjacket issues in any garden I've had. Climate and soil must be the common denominator, so even if they return, the larvae don't get produced in big enough numbers to do enough damage.
It was a joke worthy of yourself eh?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My nematodes arrived yesterday so last evening I heavily watered the lawn to soften it up. This evening after another pre-soak I applied the little critters. One pack is perfect for my c100sqyrds of lawn. Then spent a good hour or so watering them in. According to the instructions I need to keep the soil moist for the next two weeks. Hopefully some rain will assist the hose!
Quite a few daddy long legs appearing the last couple of days so fingers crossed this application is successful.
Just to say leather jackets have a 2 year cycle they are daddy long legs babies what happens is the eggs are laid in 2016 then in 2017 they hatch and start eating your lawn from beneath. In olden days they would put a sheet on the lawn over night which encourages then to unknowingly come to the surface because it's dark remove sheet scoop up jackets problem solved.
If you don't get rid of them the black birds and crows will peck your lawn to death modern day practice on fine lawns is to use chemicals to rid your lawn of these pests this also includes chafer grubs .
I'm sure some ones got a sheet to show why you should not use chemicals but as some say that's business all legal Lester
I stripped back an area of the lawn today in order to get rid of a 'hollow' the size of a snooker table. I was somewhat miffed to see I have an infestation of Chafer Grubs so I've just ordered some Chafer-specific nematodes.
My lawn seems a popular home for these and the leatherjackets which I treated a few weeks back. Hopefully the Chafers won't have done too much damage so far?
Posts
I meant to come back to you Verdun as I had a reply from my Nematode supplier - Green Gardener.
They said I could bring my order forward but if I applied them now I would also need to make a second application at the end of September. If I wait for my delivery (w/b 12th Sept) i will only need the one application.
I've kept the delivery date as is based on their advice.
Just caught back up with this thread. You're right Verd - our conditions probably don't suit them. I've never had an issue with them.
Never mind 'leather jackets' they'd need fur coats....
do you see what I did there? That was a really good one Verd
We always have loads of crane flies but perhaps the soil and weather make it tricky for the larvae when they emerge. Even on the hills earlier this year, it wasn't 'the midge' that was the issue, it was the clouds of crane flies erupting out the ground with every step.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Heavy soil here Verd. Perhaps it's just not suitable for them. Also, by the time they emerge, could it be too cold here so they don't all survive?
I've never had leatherjacket issues in any garden I've had. Climate and soil must be the common denominator, so even if they return, the larvae don't get produced in big enough numbers to do enough damage.
It was a joke worthy of yourself eh?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My nematodes arrived yesterday so last evening I heavily watered the lawn to soften it up. This evening after another pre-soak I applied the little critters. One pack is perfect for my c100sqyrds of lawn. Then spent a good hour or so watering them in. According to the instructions I need to keep the soil moist for the next two weeks. Hopefully some rain will assist the hose!
Quite a few daddy long legs appearing the last couple of days so fingers crossed this application is successful.
Just to say leather jackets have a 2 year cycle they are daddy long legs babies what happens is the eggs are laid in 2016 then in 2017 they hatch and start eating your lawn from beneath. In olden days they would put a sheet on the lawn over night which encourages then to unknowingly come to the surface because it's dark remove sheet scoop up jackets problem solved.
If you don't get rid of them the black birds and crows will peck your lawn to death modern day practice on fine lawns is to use chemicals to rid your lawn of these pests this also includes chafer grubs .
I'm sure some ones got a sheet to show why you should not use chemicals but as some say that's business all legal Lester
I stripped back an area of the lawn today in order to get rid of a 'hollow' the size of a snooker table. I was somewhat miffed to see I have an infestation of Chafer Grubs so I've just ordered some Chafer-specific nematodes.
My lawn seems a popular home for these and the leatherjackets which I treated a few weeks back. Hopefully the Chafers won't have done too much damage so far?