Suggestions for boxes and front flower boxes please

kerrypn

Oh thank you

I will be sure to water very often as we are south facing at the front so very hot in summer. I am hoping for a burst of colour in a week or so as there are lots of buds there


OOooh, think I might deserve a little glass of plonk now!!!

One question though-last year we were invaded by caterpillar who merrily chomped through all my flowers-how can I avoid this or combat it if it does happen please? We tried conventional sprays etc. Also, we have the MOST ingenious slugs here-I dutifully put down that eco friendly gravel slug repellent stuff last year for the little blighters to shimmy up the bamboo I put on the walls and kamikaze "jump" onto the flowers!!!! It was funny to watch, not so funny when all the leaves off the flowers went


And today my 4 year old came dashing in screaming that "wildlife" had entered our back yard and was scaring him, I fully expected tp find a fully fledged wilderbeest or at least a mouse, but no, it was a lime green bug about 2cm long with a hard shell? Is this a pest too?

Sorry for being a pest, but Any tips on basic pests?

Mithos

kerrypn wrote: »

Oh thank you

I will be sure to water very often as we are south facing at the front so very hot in summer. I am hoping for a burst of colour in a week or so as there are lots of buds there


OOooh, think I might deserve a little glass of plonk now!!!

One question though-last year we were invaded by caterpillar who merrily chomped through all my flowers-how can I avoid this or combat it if it does happen please? We tried conventional sprays etc. Also, we have the MOST ingenious slugs here-I dutifully put down that eco friendly gravel slug repellent stuff last year for the little blighters to shimmy up the bamboo I put on the walls and kamikaze "jump" onto the flowers!!!! It was funny to watch, not so funny when all the leaves off the flowers went


And today my 4 year old came dashing in screaming that "wildlife" had entered our back yard and was scaring him, I fully expected tp find a fully fledged wilderbeest or at least a mouse, but no, it was a lime green bug about 2cm long with a hard shell? Is this a pest too?

Sorry for being a pest, but Any tips on basic pests?

Treat yourself! No harm in a little vino from time to time

Afraid I cant help with caterpillars, I've never had any problems with them at all! It might be the type of plant you are growing, are they the same type as you tried last year? Rather than going for sprays it might be an idea to pick them off and move them somewhere else?

Again the same with the slugs... they don't fancy every type of plant. However they are a pest, although only eating small amounts at a time, the cumulative damage builds up over a matter of days and before long its too late for the plant to recover! I know its wrong and try to be organic, but when slugs become too much I reach for the pellets.

Sounds like your talking about a Shield Bug generally harmless, but I think they can spray a "gas" or something if they get scared that can sting your eyes if it gets in there. But I'm sure this is rare or might not even happen, as I've never had this happen to me or know anyone who's experienced it. They can make a loud buzz when they fly about which might be what shocked your son!

kerrypn

That is the exact one, thanks very much I will tell my son I have it on very good authority it is definitely NOT a dinosaur :rotfl:

The caterpillars were particularly fond of my marigolds last year, so I have not bought them this time around, which is a shame as they are beautiful flowers. (so fond in fact that when they had killed the marigolds, they migrated elsewhere, how rude)

pinkcandyflossprincess

ive never seen those bugs in brum- we used to see loads in devon so thought they were local to the south but obviously they arent if you have them in Manchester!
your plants look ace,its amazing what a bit of colour does- really adds life ..doesnt it!:T
I like your brick planters --they look quite smart,all i have is a patch of grass outside my front window and then the neighbours parking space, im a bit dubious of putting out pots like i did in devon as they are liable to go walkabout around here sadly:(