BuffyBear 's dagbok, 18 mar 11

Oh no Buffy - I have found no evidence of you being offensive to anyone - I am sure if you were just speaking your mind, people here will understand that what ever you said is your opinion, which you are allowed to have. I haven't come in to contact with Sweetiegirl, but I don't think Radiochick is one to hold grudges :) Enjoy the sunshine - we have rain today, but my new flowers need the water, so will not complain. Definitely choose the garden over cleaning the bathroom any day!  

Thank you. By the way, I have some good news I've been dying to share. I have 3 stalks of asparagus popping up. 

That is brilliant!! I am hoping to have a better crop of nice organic veggies this year too - last year was not quite a success (we had enough veg to get us through a sunday lunch!) - but I am more focused this year, so cross fingers..... 

I try to be organic, but I have this squash borer monster I have to fight or else I'll lose my entire vine crop. I spray before the plants blossom so as not to hurt the bees, etc. that come to feed. Other than that I live in perfect harmony with the insect world.  

I tried an organic spray last year but we still had worms in the plums, but I was told that we sprayed too late as the worm eggs are actually laid when the trees are in bloom, which I did not realise - so I am going to give it another try this year and just start earlier. It is sad that chemical treatments seem to work more effectively, if only they spent the time developing natural and promoting it and teaching us properly then it would also be just as effective. We get lots of aphids here, and last year I introduced ladybird larvae to the fruit trees and roses, I got my hubby to build a ladybird house and it was really so exciting to watch them develop and thrive into ladybirds and conquer the aphids - by the end of summer we saw three generations - it will be very interesting to see if they return to us this year.....I saw the first bumble bee of the year this morning :) 

Did someone say asparagus? One of my favorite veggies. Isn't it great to have a garden. We have a little hobby farm here in Illinois and grow a garden every year. We use guineas (an african chicken) to help with the insect population. They have to eat and it doesn't hurt the veggies in the garden. Thanks for stopping by my journal today. Have a blessed weekend my friend. Hugs{{{}}} 

OK - I had to stop and look that up. We call them ladybugs over here! Good luck with those plums.  

Cindy - I've always wanted an asparagus bed. Last summer I spent a lot of time and money to put one in. I couldn't begin to tell you how thrilled I was to see them. As for guines - the neighbor's dog would have them for lunch.  

Are they like in guinea fowls - black with white spots - I've only ever seen them in the wild in Africa - are they cleaner than chickens. I like the idea of having chickens, but cannot stand the smell of them :( 

Yes - they are also supposed to be good for getting rid of ticks.  

The squash borers are responsible for more squash plant deaths in my garden than I care to count! THIS year, we're not even planting until after they supposedly do their most damage, so hopefully we can still get in a crop before the excessive heat and humidity comes. I'd love to grow asparagus, but that's one veggie I haven't tried. Hope the weather cooperates for your crop. 

Sandy - I caught them last year just in time. But I also read about planting the later crop (after moths are through laying eggs). Think this year I'll try both methods. I am out of my frozen stash of spaghetti squash and shudder when I look at the price in the store. 

Love asparagus....tired of paying about $4/lb in the stores for it during the winter. It will soon be in season here around Easter...yum, can't wait for the summer veggies!! 

Oh boy, I stumbled onto posts on gardening, and me who hates to get their fingernails dirty, not to mention lazy. Actually I barter with a local organic farmer and we both benefit. I stopped by to see what was up with Buffy today and was surprised to find she was worried she offended me. I look at all comments as caring and invite them. In fact, dear soul, my life is better today because of you. Blessings to you.