The Yellow Rattle is now nicely in flower and as you can see, controlling the grass well. Considering that this meadow site was cut out from a lawn only a few years ago without any chemical intervention, or digging, it is remarkable how it has taken to gradual meadow development. At this time of year it can be very rewarding trying to spot orchids in bud, it is surprising how well some of them hide until they have flowers and can be more easily spotted.
It was a sure sign of warm evenings when only yesterday we were visited by a cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha, which decided it lied our lights and kept banging its head against the window. I know that they are supposed to damage fruit trees, but I think they are rather engaging.
People tell me they have problems with slugs and snails on their plant racks, thankfully not a problem here, the stock is too important. What I have done is extended the legs of the racks by about 30cm using copper pipe. The snails just do not like it, regardless of there being a free meal at the top.
It was a sure sign of warm evenings when only yesterday we were visited by a cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha, which decided it lied our lights and kept banging its head against the window. I know that they are supposed to damage fruit trees, but I think they are rather engaging.
People tell me they have problems with slugs and snails on their plant racks, thankfully not a problem here, the stock is too important. What I have done is extended the legs of the racks by about 30cm using copper pipe. The snails just do not like it, regardless of there being a free meal at the top.