There was just one pink poppy plant this year, ill try and remember to keep the seeds separate and get some more on the go next year. The last pic is one from last year, obviously it dropped some seeds as it’s in exactly the same place. I must remember that July is poppy month in the garden.
(c) K Wicks
This is a first for me seeing an elderberry Pearl moth. It was hiding amongst the rose leaves and luckily settled again for a few moments while I got a few shots.
(c) K Wicks
There have been fewer butterflies by this time last year, but the weather did really delay all the flowers coming out so its not surprising.
But July had made up for it, firstly with a tortoiseshell a couple of weeks ago, warming up on the fence.
But last week, I was contemplating getting rid of the overgrown and looking almost past it sow thistle. Then decided to look closely at all the fading heads and small aphid patches – thinking there is still a lot of life here. Then I saw them.
Lots of little caterpillars. The sun was coming up and made for a few awesome pictures.
I think they are starting to look like bright-line brown-eye moth caterpillars after looking through many options, but we will see. One has made it over to my small growing cherry tree and has munched its way through half a leaf or two, but that’s ok. There’s plenty there and it is food for them.
The detail on them is amazing when you get up close. I was also treated to large and small white butterflies making an appearance at last. Drawn in by the lavender rather than the nasturtiums. It landed as I had my camera in hand watching the bees, a rare treat compared to waiting, following and still not catching them. I hope for more to come.
(c) K Wicks
Today has been very exciting in the garden. The warm weather and flowering plants have bought in an abundance of insects.
After seeing lots of ladybird larvae on my rose bush that had grown very tall in the last few months, I’ve been checking in case I see any grown up and today I saw them all. I don’t think I was checking properly before, just a quick glance and you can miss them. But I believe there are 5 different ones, just today, on one plant! One had strayed over to the charlock too.
The picture of a larvae was from a few weeks ago, but that’s not bad for a short time in the garden in one afternoon. Its roasting today and not easy to stand in it for too long, but I will be back out there again for rumage around. Have been picking more berries today to whip up a pudding which I may just share with you all later. Well, the recipe that is, I haven’t made enough for everyone.
Here is one from last year to add a bit more colour to a pretty cool set 🐞
(c) K Wicks
I think they look so pretty when falling apart, like a ballerina made of petals.
(c) K Wicks
There has been lots of bug activity since the weather warmed, less on the honey bee front. Now a few of the tubes in the bee Hotel are blocked up there doesn’t seem to be as many visitors. I’m new to watching Bees so this might be their normal seasonal routine (although there have been a number of them the last few days on the lavendar).
For bumble bees and hoverflies, there have been tons. Seems that the charlock mustard is a big favourite. Many different types of hovefly and buff tailed bumblebees amongst others. Daily activity on this, so much so I can’t bring myself to scale it back until it stops flowering, it’s not a small plant. Then I guess it will go to seed and I may just pick them and see what I can do with them.
(c) K Wicks
Yesterday was my first proper forage of the year. I thought it might be nice to film it, so you can see how you can get a good yield from just a small bush or area. I have 3 planter boxes about 2 meters long and a foot wide, with two small patches of ground for flowers and things too. The boxes have a lot going on with potatoes, herbs, poppies, jasmine and wild strawberries.
I bought 3 extra small planters about 2 ft square to put on the concrete outside the house, to make the most of that sunny patch and get as much on the go as I can for the insects and spiders to make their home in. Mostly flowers but I moved the goosebery bush in Spring as last year it had no berries. Must have been a good move as there are loads this year.
Ended up with a rather good bounty for the first sweep 😁
The birds don’t seem to help themselves to any of the fruit, but they have plenty of insects and bird food to keep them busy so far. I don’t mind sharing though, in fact my dog likes strawberries so as I pick them i have to share as I go!
(c) K Wicks
Its been quite a month in the garden, so many bugs, berries and insects, and more flowers bursting through.
The loganberries, gooseberries and redcurrants look like they will be plentiful. And there’s a handful of blueberries ready to pick and eat 😋 .
The wild strawberries are also ripening on a daily basis now and its super cool having to forage for them. Rummaging through the bushes for them!
They are very sweet and my dog like strawberries too so come running over for one when it’s rummage time.
Small little handfuls everyday, what a summer treat. Homegrown fruit from the garden.
(c) K Wicks
(c) K Wicks
Its been a busy month, for work and for nature. With all the sun and now a good bit of rain, its bulked everything up. New flowers are starting to open, with the yellows looking to be making way for the reds, pinks and purples.
The fuchsia has come back again, funny really, I tried 3 times to grow a fuchsia, bought already flowering and everything. They always died. This one was just a stick that had been left when we moved in, not even planted, just on the ground. I didn’t know what it was but could still see green under the bark so put it in dirt. Within a few weeks, it had leaves…
The potatoes have started flowering too, they have such pretty flowers. Potatoes are just great, the Bush crickets and snails are eating the leaves as quickly as they can but can’t keep up! Its providing great shade and bushiness for the bed too. I often see the sparrows having a little hop around in there looking for food.
I have white and red carnations this year, I don’t remember planting two colours so its good to see what appears to be new. A lovely dash of colour.
Another pink strawberry flower was poking through, its overshadowed by other strawberries, the loganberries and the fuchsia, so I’m impressed its made it at all.
The nasturtiums have just started to come out as well, its been a bit quiet for butterflies this year so far, but usually these bring the large and small white butterflies in.
The hydrangea is trying, its bee moved this year and surrounded by poppies which have now been and gone so ill clear some room and maybe it will do a bit better.
Its all pink and purple poppies this year, I thought I had planted some red ones but seems not. Either way, its a superb splash of colour and the bumble Bees love them.
(c) K Wicks
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