Worse than them cousins that appear empty-handed every Christmas, eat all of your mince pies, clear out your drinks cabinet and then reappear twelve months later unannounced… Vine Weevil are one of them that just make my blood boil. I hate them, nobody likes them and really they have zero characteristics of benefit to anyone but themselves. Harsh ? You have no idea….
Who Are These Little F@*?ers ?
Vine Weevil or Otiorhynchus sulcatushave a life cycle similar to that of a butterfly and depending on the stage they are at, is dependent on the damage type they will cause. Never seen ‘em before ? They look very like something the I’m A Celebrity Get Me Outta Here jungle folk would eat in one of them challenges, except they are smaller. Further…
Better known as the maximum minimum thermometer, my first, a now defunct mercury version was purchased some 20 years ago. And though I’ve only ever owned three two of these in my life, alas, I’ve had to buy a new one. It’s very old school. But I like that, old school. Like the day I bought Loaded by The Velvet Underground. On vinyl.
Back on planet earth, Sweet Jane still humming in my ears…. I’ve written about James Six’s 1782 invention here before for other reasons, but it is such a legendary piece of equipment for any plants person or parent. So good, when wee Ella first went down to her own room at around 3 months of age, I placed it on her bedroom wall. Smart Dad ? I thought so.
In Short What Does A Max Min Thermometer Do ?
It records, lets say overnight, the lowest and highest temperatures simultaneously, whilst at the same time telling you the current temperature.
Last weekend, the garden radio show that I do needed, we felt, a little bit of a break from the extremes of botanical latin and over horticulturalisation – ie. the overuse of big words. We had pondered what might soften this and the idea that I record myself in my garden, in my spare time pottering about over a period of one weekend turned out to be a pretty good idea.
Listening back, I’m surprised at just how much I actually got done with no agenda and wee 2 year old Ella by my side. More than that, the feedback that has come in since this aired has been nothing short of phenomenol. I have so very many emails from people letting me know they are now doing a 15 minute stint, no matter the weather, in their little patch in their great outdoors, just once per day.
No matter the end result – I guarantee you will feel better for it. Your space outside will look better because of it. That will make others smile beacuse they have seen that. That smiling gig is pretty infectous. And then you’ll smile because they have smiled…..
You don’t need to follow my list, you can make your own, or don’t make one at all. Take a listen, see what you think and should you become a little stuck… I’m right here for you.
I’m sometimes hesitant to recommend composters in gardens. Partly when it comes to those spaces a little more dimensionally challenged, but more often it becomes a dilemma [or not] when it comes to gardens that are set to become a little more eloquent in their [after works are complete] appearance.
Where do you put that thing that should not be seen or just does not fit in ?
I get the point where biodiversity, wild flower meadows and potato peels not heading to landfill is the route we should all be travelling. But equally, there is a lot to be said for damn good-looking sexy gardens and I’m not too sure that hedgehogs and piles of leaves fit in with the latest Brown Thomas collection, if you get where I’m coming from.
When we think back on the eloquence of 17th and 18th Century garden design the thought process was quite different from todays. The messy fellows namely the herbaceous, the vegetables and fruit gardens, were to an extent hidden. It may have been within a walled garden, behind rows of Buxus semprevirens or quite simply to the far left of the sunken garden; And though the layout did vary hither dither, the immediate view from the home was one of grandiose stately and proportionate beauty with consideration for each season in it’s very evident pre-planning.
With that in mind why, would I wish to place a grey plastic cube or other so visible within my space outdoors ?
Sometimes, the space simply just does not exist for one to fit into the great wish list. Equally there is a case where practical straight lined paths to the shed, bypassing the washing line as you go is not in any way the greatest way to showcase the prettiest in the room.
My composting area is constructed a bit like above, from pallets bolted together. I have chosen to surround the outer with a wall of Bay Laurel [Laurus nobilis] hedging – it also means masses of the herb free gratis – the dark glossy green foliage now forming the back drop for what is a bright coloured red bench. Minimal it maybe, but my garden is set on about 1 acre, allowing me a little more freedom and space to play with.
And play with it I do. It is a constant tesing ground for designs and concepts that may pop into my head…. just, to be sure, to be sure
Irrespective of budget and garden size, I’ve always felt the better gardens completed are those where the client divulges the full want list. This may or may not include a composting bin or other. But the trouble aesthetically, is always when one tries to squeeze something into a space after the garden has already been designed to suit.
Peter On: