blueberry77

Latest posts by blueberry77

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solitary bees

Posted: 06/06/2013 at 09:42

Looks like a bumblebee ? Very nice anyway.

It's not going to happen overnight, but instead of a boggy lawn you could have some lovely fertile veg or flower beds with paths if needed for access. Take up the turf and lay it out of the way in a pile face down (it will turn into good soil) Then, dig in some gravel, make raised beds, add leaf mould and compost and plant up.

Talkback: Scale insects

Posted: 03/06/2013 at 18:16

A bowl of warm water with a bit of biodegradable washing up liquid, plus surgical gloves. The detergent takes the stickiness away and the things wash off quite well then.

Where is the buzz of busy bees?

Posted: 01/06/2013 at 12:29

The bumblebees were very late coming out of hibernation this year. We may see more as the season goes on once nests are established, but it was bad last year as well so am not hopeful.

bee flies

Posted: 08/05/2013 at 18:00

As others have said the bee fly - bee balance is not a problem. The main impact on our bumbles is habitat loss, that overwhelms anything else and is not a natural cycle.

best organic matter

Posted: 08/05/2013 at 17:56

If you are growing veg this year then you need stuff that is already rotted down and not fresh. Old leaf mould, composted manure. Even a few grobags or something like that will help.

Over winter while there are no other plants growing you can use fresh manure or green manures then.