No Garden!!

Wot No Lawn!!

They live in the soil for between 3-5 years, munching more and more grass roots as they mature into the adult beetle around May time. So the upshot, artificial grass? estimate £14,500,there must be an alternative solution and so the planning started.

With a score of possible layouts and headaches  friends who have a wonderful garden (with lawn) introduced us to Mike, a down to earth landscape gardener and a lovely man. So last Summer, in came the mini bulldozer and havoc reigned but nothing was to much of a problem for Mike and his team and literally tons of lawn and earth were moved,and many adult Chafer bugs found. There was an outline plan but this developed as work progressed and we have been delighted with the end result and during the pandemic a haven of peace and tranquility for us. 

For the past 3 years or so prior to last year we spent a fortune with a lawn care company with the ambition to own lush green lawns. Before I continue, if you do not know how a Chafer Bug larvae looks, it is maggot like, something similar to the larvae of the other awful pest, the Vine Weevil. So, back to our horrible little friends (enemies !) the Chafer Bug and Leatherjacket larvae who worked overtime to ensure we didn’t .

In the past we were able to treat the lawn against these pests with an effective insecticide but you’ve guessed it the EEC banned it. We tried the only alternatives Nematodes and a Chafer Bug trap but guess what they didn’t work at all. Finally, when our lawn resembled a ploughed field after Magpies and crows turned the turfs over to get to the juicy grubs we surrendered.

The plant is an evergreen climbing clematis and it flowered early March for about 6 or more weeks. It was only planted last Summer so looking forward to it spreading further along the pergola next year

The name of the Clematis is “Avalanche” easy to see why.

 

               

  The Acer was rescued from Stewart’s bargain basement sale as a basket case,placed into intensive care for quite a long period . Resulting what is now a beautiful tree. The lilies come in useful if intensive care failed. Tom Mckay.

 

Pictures from our front courtyard of a bargain basement IN-Excess bought geranium from some 4 years ago that has subsequently flourished and a favourite clematis lovingly nurtured by daughter Victoria. Alan Redknap        

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This article helps you to identify wild birds that you may see or hear in your garden or the surrounds.

The link below to the Woodland Trust takes you to their wild bird section. If you double click on the bird of interest you will be able to go down to the bottom of the description and listen to the song of the bird. The list is most comprehensive and should be all of the birds you are likely to see in your garden.

Please Click Here