Notice anything unusual about this rose foliage?
To my utter astonishment, there are no aphids on the new growth. And I mean none – I’ve hunted, believe me, and there’s not a single aphid of any hue anywhere on these plants. And it’s May, FFS.
It’s not because I’ve sprayed them; I don’t do that. So how come?
Well, to apply Holmesian logic: If I’ve not sprayed them, and nobody else is spraying them (the midnight Derris Duster?), there can only be one conclusion:
There are no aphids because it’s been SO FUCKING COLD.
Posted on 6th May 2010
Under: Flowers | 8 Comments »
I hate seeing rosebuds in October. They’re as gorgeous as ever, but – to corrupt the song lyrics – their lovely promise won’t come true. One sharp frost and it’s all over.
On another note: when did Jerusalem artichokes become so popular that they’re at risk of theft?
I ask because I dug some up for my mother a week or two ago, and somehow – perhaps when I left the bag unattended at the plot for a few minutes, or after I loaded them in her car – they were swiped.
Which blows my mind. I mean, Jerusalem artichokes?
Christ, it’s not the crown jewels. Whatever next? Are my gold fillings safe? Should I perhaps nail my car tyres to the driveway?
My only consolation is the sure and certain knowledge that if the thief eats that many artichokes at one sitting, he’ll fart his colon out of his arse.
Posted on 18th October 2009
Under: Flowers | 1 Comment »
Hurrah! It’s going to be a long, hot summer. The UK Meteorological Office says so. It must be true!
Bloody hope so. After the deluges that passed for summers in 2007 and 2008, we’re owed a Jamaican-style tropical meltdown, I reckon. Confess I’m daring to hope, because I’ve had a feeling since February that the summer would be good. I can’t point to one single thing on the allotment that’s been, well, ‘different’. It’s just been a feeling.
There’s warm weather in the air. I’m sure of it.
Posted on 30th April 2009
Under: Flowers, Summer | 7 Comments »
