Saturday 29 May 2010

Armed and dangerous and ready to give those beetles what for !!!

ASPARAGUS BEETLES
The bottle of Bio-Friend Plant Defence arrived today, sent to me from Stephen at
'Victoriana Nurseries' thank you Stephen ! I can't wait to spray the asparagus.
It will last a long time as 20mls make up a 1 litre mix which I will put in a spray bottle. You can read more about this product by clicking on the Victoriana link and going to the website and typing in the name of the product. I will keep you updated as to the effects, but if Stephen uses it on his crops then it's good enough for me.

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ROSES

I took this photo of some roses that I cut from my front garden, it's been there for years. It's is called 'Royal Romance' and was given the name when Prince Charles and Lady Diana were 'courting' they may even have just got engaged , so yes as you can see it's been there a long time. I just googled the name and it looks like it's not available anymore, shame !. Anyway this is the first year that I have had any decent roses that deserved cutting and bringing indoors, so I am delighted with it this year. I am ashamed as a plant-person to admit that I totally neglect it, never feed it, rarely treat it for black-spot, greenfly etc and now It's almost saying ' Look at Me' I am going to treat it to a good feed this week-end.



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SWISS CHARD BARGAIN
I popped over to Home-base today to have a look for any bargains going in the bank holiday events there. I spotted this pot of Swiss Chard called 'Bright Lights' they were looking so badly neglected, dried out compost, withered leaves, etc, so I got cheeky and asked at the desk if someone in charge could reduce the sorry plants and YEAH I got them for 90p instead of £1.99. I took them home cut off the wilted leaves and gave them a good long drink. I counted 16 plants and they now look great, so I will pot them on until they bulk up a bit before planting them out. I have always wanted to try this veg, so now I can.

12 comments:

Kath said...

Bright Lights chard is brilliant. We love it - and the chickens love the tatty bits!

Damo said...

Best of luck with the asparagus. And well done on the swiss chard bargain, I grew Bright Lights last year and it was great. Haven't got round to planting it out this year as I'm out of space so it may have to go in a couple of big tubs.

Maureen said...

Thank you VEGETABLE HEAVEN & DAMO for the comments, it's nice to know that the Swiss Chard is good. Alys Fowler recently mentioned it on her 'Edible Garden' programme and it looked so pretty, so if it tastes good too then that's even better.

Pam's English Garden said...

Hi, Maureen, Good luck with the beetle! And again you have made a clever bargain ... congratulations on your chard. It will be delicious, I think. P. x

Pam's English Garden said...

Hi, Maureen, Good luck with the beetle! Congratulations ... you got a good bargain again. The chard will be delicious, I'm sure. P. x

Maureen said...

PAM, thanks for dropping by. I'm off to spray the asparagus later today as long as it stays sunny and doesn't rain again. M x

Joanne said...

Hi Maureen i have not been posting much on blogs recently but nice to catch up with you again. the rose is a lovely colour and yes the lilly beatle are out in large numbers yet again.

Matron said...

I adore Swiss chard, prefer it to spinach. Good luck with the asparagus beetle control.

Dee said...

Love bright lights.. I stuff the leaves with a little mince and rice a great alternative to vine leaves..

Maureen said...

Thank you all for the comments on 'Bright Lights' chard, I can't wait to try it now. DEE I will try your suggestion with the mince and rice, it sounds nice.
I have just made my first ever loaf this week 'Spelt Bread' have a look on my craft/recipe link the recipe is there as well.

http://allotmentheavencraftsandrecipes.blogspot.com/
the link is also on my sidebar.

ginny said...

hello maureen,
hope your beetle problem is now sorted. we noticed an aphid farm going on on the underside of our small plum tree leaves this week. husband and i have worked hard to remove many of them and now have sticky bands on the trunk to deter the farmer ants! it is hard work being organic isn't it? great bargain your chard too... i have sown some the same this year which is doing well but some slug nibbling has just started this week!arghh!
warmest wishes
ginny x

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Maureen! I love your rose! As for the swiss chard - shame on me, but I don't know much about it. But it does look great, like an ornamental plant. I hope you are having a good summer. We had warm winter, but now it's cool and wet!