[Aunt Sally]

One thing though, hardly seen any butterflies and not one single ladybird this year.

If you have a few pennies you could buy some:

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Ladybirds.html

[seaside]

Different places, different pests.
I think we've all had a blast of blackfly, but I am still to see one single whitefly or greenfly in my open door greenhouse on the plot. Saw a gathering bunch on my roses out in the open, so gave them a bit of soap...... and then nothing ... gone. Quite incredible and almost certainly down to the extended 'Winter'. I personally think this weather year is turning out to be a bit of an old fashioned retro year mimicking the 60s and 70s. I obviously don't know where it's going, but it's nice to think we might actually have some PROPER seasons. If those proper seasons doesn't suit particular crops, I'll just grow different ones.

[allotmentann]

Hubballi, I am very glad that you are getting some pleasure out of your garden with the wildlife and that you have seen an improvement with some things. I think one of the biggest things that helps in gardening, is to go with what grows well for you in your circumstances and not worry too much about the things that don't do so well. For example, delphiniums just get demolished by slugs in my garden, but lots of other flowers with tall flower spikes grow like weeds! So I will not wear myself out trying to fight a losing battle with delphiniums, I refuse to pellet, I don't want to be out every night with a torch. I can get the same effect with other plants. Go with what is happy. I know that it is more frustrating with fruit and veg, but the principle still applies. I would rather a sack full of courgettes to share with friends than one tiny little aubergine that cost a fortune in compost and hours of nuture and constant slug patrol! Gardening should be a pleasure.

[BobE]

Ive seen two white butterflies and one redish crimson one.  But no ladybirds.

[Beetroot queen]

I saw one ladybird today just one on a tree covered in aphids.  i told her to call a few mates around. Also found a cabbage white in my brussel sprout nets  i hate doing it but she is no more.

Broad beans are just a mess. I could keep fairy liquid in business 

[pigguns]

I was pleased to see 2 ladybirds on my runners when I popped down to look earlier today- so pleased I'd only sprayed them with soap and nothing nasty yesterday, and was amazed today to see a large frog hopping up my plot in 30 degrees heat! Coming from the water tank  . 

I try to be organic but admit to nervously using a few of those garden organic slug pellets only- so I'm pleased that the frog seems to be ok with them (will reduce use to zero now I think to be on the safe side).  Also had a small tortoiseshell butterfly the other day sitting around.  My plots a bit.... 'messy', no straight rows or much bare earth, everything crammed in and a 'wildlife area'  at the back I've not got to yet, which might explain it.....

[compostqueen]

I don't worry about annual weeds in the broad beans. I let them grow. The beans are planted in muck-rich soil and as long as the soil is fertile I will get beans.  In fact I have lots of beans when I checked the plants on Saturday 

[Grubbypaws]

I would rather a sack full of courgettes to share with friends than one tiny little aubergine that cost a fortune in compost and hours of nuture and constant slug patrol! Gardening should be a pleasure.

Well said 

[compostqueen]

I keep trying to grow aubs. Each year I say "never again" but I've got just the one this year. I love a challenge 

I had to laugh last night. I've been busy making jollop for spraying round the greenhouse to deter aphids, and I made a spray of garlic, rosemary and kitchen hand soap.  You have to boil this stuff up, leave it to steep for 24 hours then sieve it through a cloth or coffee filter paper (twice).  I did all this and carefully decanted it into my sprayer and went to do battle with the dreaded beasties. I pointed the gun at them and let them have it.  The trigger broke off my sprayer    1 - 0 to the beasties 

[BobE]

lol CQ.