I seem to have had a bogging hiatus. I really can't say why. I know I have been insanely busy, but I have still found time in the late evening to read the blogs of others and commented on one or two, (though only in a half- hearted way) Does anyone else get so that they can't be a***d" with their blog?
So gardening bloggy friends I need advice. We have had a problem with codling moth and probably other moths too on most of the fruit trees. Some years ago we used a grease band on our big old apple and it seemed to help, though I believe grease bands are for winter moth not codling (tell me if I'm wrong) I have counted the trees affected by grubs and it is at least 12 of the apples and all the eight plums and greengages. Difficult to tell with the damsons as we have had hardly any fruit from them this year.
What do you think about home made grease bands? have you made them ? We really can't afford to buy as many as we need. (same for those feramone trap thingys) Have you any other tips, ideas or experiences?
I really, really would welcome your comments on this.
Funny weather we are having here in Mid England for October. Just when you think you will spend a day in the garden the heavens open and you are back inside again attacking the apple mountain!
We were lucky enough to get help (family slaves) with digging up the potatoes after a couple of rain free days when the soil was dry. Within minutes of the last bucket going into the barn the heavens opened. We grew just Sarpo Mira this year. The yield was 153kg (337lbs) I have now bagged all the decent ones into paper sacks and put them in the dark covered with sacking to keep them frost free. Those that have obvious slug or spade damage I have put into a couple of sacks in the utility room and will use first.
All for now.
Welcome Jada Pfeifer on the follower bar and Bloglover on Bloglovin.
Gillx
I get that can't be bothered with blogging and with lots of things from time to time. A little break from it usually cures it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice haul of potatoes. It's spring here but still feels wintry which is odd. We are usually dealing with too hot weather at this time of year.
Sarpo Mira are a good yield spud from all the accounts I've read. I know nothing about grease bands or moths but I do know what you mean about having a blogging stalemate. Its hard to write without inspiration or about mundane things.
DeleteIt is so interesting to realise that it is not autumn where people are reading the blog! I wonder what the weather holds for us all over the next 12months, it has been somewhat unusual this year, which makes growing food a challenge.
DeleteF-I-E . We grow Sarpo Mira as it really is blight-free, but find it is also a good cropper. Not everyone grows it because it is a red, but we have found it a good all-rounder for cooking.
I get that can't be bothered with blogging and with lots of things from time to time. A little break from it usually cures it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice haul of potatoes. It's spring here but still feels wintry which is odd. We are usually dealing with too hot weather at this time of year.
I do sometimes give blogging a break for a few days, but then feel bad because its how my hubby keeps up to date with what I am doing.
ReplyDeleteGreat haul of potatoes there, we haven't had rain for 2 weeks now although we might get some tomorrow
I can see how it is useful to keep your husband informed of your doings!
DeleteHoping for a warm,dry day today(saturday) as we plan to go through the bees and maybe take some honey off.
Nice to have a break every now and again. I sometimes have writters block and can't think what to write, but it doesn't last long!
ReplyDeleteAs for the grease bands I'll be keen to know what you'll do as I have far too many trees to pay for propper bands. I have read something about using Vaseline but can't remember what it was.
I'll post any comments I get about the banding.
DeleteAnd you always have plenty going on the write about!
I give my trees a winter wash of diluted Tar Oil. If the trees are small enough I try to spray all over, otherwise I spray just the trunks. However, I don't know if this would replace a good grease band.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. Perhaps a combination of techniques might be the answer.
DeleteGrease bands are a faff to tie on, we used to use the black grease stuff in a tub that does the same thing- stops things crawling up to lay eggs. Also used the pheramone traps which are expensive first then you can get refills. Seemed to do the trick as we never had much problem with moth -
ReplyDeleteDo you mean Stockholm tar?
DeleteI guess a trawl through the internet might find a cheaper source of traps, as they do seem to work for those I have spoken to.
I tend to do two posts a week, one after the weekend and one mid-week. It works for me and keeps a nice record of what is happening in the house and the garden plus family stuff.
ReplyDeleteI used to use my blog as a sort of diary, but I am so disorganised I haven't kept it up. I do find it helpful to look back on though to see when things happened.
DeleteOur four trees get Codling Moth. Pheremone traps didnt work so we have to share our Apples with the Maggots. Tried Grease Bands once. Still had Maggots !
ReplyDeleteOur four trees get Codling Moth. Pheremone traps didnt work so we have to share our Apples with the Maggots. Tried Grease Bands once. Still had Maggots !
ReplyDeletei'm trying for a few posts a week so there's never more than a couple of days quiet on there. I don't really get disheartened with blogging but I do struggle to find the time sometimes, hopefully now that I've retired at the ripe old age of 28 I'll have more time for the blog :)
ReplyDeleteLast year, I was so strapped for cash I simply mixed petroleaum jelly with a few drops of olbas type oil, in the hope the chickens wouldn't eat the p'jelly with the oil in it, they didn't and so far, have not had any moth damage. Mind you, I have only 6 apples anyway(Braeburn), which is 200% up on last year's 2 lol! There is still traces of the p'jelly on the trunk. din't put any kind of band on either, just about 6" smeared on trunk. will do it again this year.
ReplyDeleteThese bands aren't exceptionally profession disapproved; don't have sites or limited time material, anyway they can be engaging. bandstours.net
ReplyDelete