Saturday, 23 June 2018

Slugs and Snails... and Rat's Tails

It's been a bad year for slugs and snails on the patio, too many hot days, and the pests have decided they like my juicy foliage and even chillies at night time… A sprinkle of pellets and I got my revenge today, however it's too late for some plants.

Growing well is the HEBE - it's awash with purple flowers and the bees are loving it, to the neglect of my tomatoes and chillies which I'm having to hand-pollinate with cotton buds. There's also a unplanned BORAGE in the foreground for the bees later on. (NB I think this is the best year for Hebe flowers in 20 years...)


I've potted up some MAMMOTH BASIL today and some KOREAN MINT. They're looking a bit tired after the repotting, but hopefully will spring back to life. I must make a pesto from the Basil, the leaves are so BIG, and ASAP I must sow some more... I've not seen any recipes using Korean mint yet. It's not the most attractive smell, but seems to be a strong plant.



The bedding plants I bought in May from the Oak Tree Farm Rural Project near Stone are all doing well especially the NICOTIANA which are just passing their best, and I am deadheading, hoping for more. Also the FUSCHIAS, LENA and the boys (HARRY GRAY and ERNIE) are doing well and also the LOBELIA that Keri gave me.





The Strawberries I grew from seed last year were a bit disappointing. They seem to be WILD STRAWBERRIES, and I picked about 5 pea sized fruits, never on the same day, so I'm not expecting to make a jam just yet. That's the end of season it seems, so they are off into the shade for the plants to recover.


My Abbotsholme Rose is still in full bloom. All being well I should get a second bloom later in the year.


Finally, I'm very impressed by Baker Creek's SINGARA RADISH RAT'S TAILS... They are long, knobbly, and full of flavour. My two plants seeded well, and I'm going to see if I can sow some more for a later harvest. These are TOO good to have just in one month a year. I've had good success with James Wong's Radish Rat Tails before, but these are several times longer, although maybe not so many on the plant.




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