Thursday 3 September 2009

September brings an autumnal chill

There is definitely an autumnal feel to the air now. Time to start planning for the winter and following spring. But before that, what's been going on over the past two months.

Day lilies - The day lilies have done brilliantly in their second summer. A mass of buds and flowers which bloomed for almost two solid months. That is amazing considering each flower is only in full bloom for a day or so.

Tomatoes - I have four plants tied securely to poles to avoid wind damage similar to last year. There are a small number of flowers which are developing into fruits, but I will not overwhelmed this year. Must germinate and look after the seedlings better next time.

Caterpillars - The pest of the summer has been the caterpillar, (with the spring being taken over by greenfly). First to fall foul of these monsters was the carrots. I had noticed the leaves looking a bit dried and put it down to lack of water. On closer inspection though I found lots of horrid green caterpillars (or grub type things) munching away. I cleared them all off (swashing is the best way to deal with them) and every other day check again for other. Thankfully the carrots have been clear for a few weeks now and are looking a lot healthier.