Enviromesh Tried and Tested

Veggiemesh for protecting your vegetables against insect pests. Grow lovely vegetables free from insect damage.

Veggiemesh will keep out cabbage root fly, carrot fly, cabbage white butterfly, pea moth, leek moth, cutworm, onion fly, leaf miners and many species of aphids.

Vine Weevil Nematodes

Use vine weevil nematodes to stop the damage caused by vine weevil larva which can cause serious damage to a wide range of plants by feeding on the root system. Vine weevil nematodes are an effective control of this pest. Naturally occurring microscopic nematodes which seek out and kill vine weevil larvae.

Apply when the larvae are active and soil temperatures are above 12 C. In a heated greenhouse or conservatory application may be made any time of year. In other situations apply in late spring (May/June) and early Autumn (September).

High infestations may need two applications. For outdoor treatment, Autumn use is the most effective as the larvae are younger and have not caused significant damage to plants at that time.

The nematodes will keep for 2 - 3 weeks in the refrigerator (not a freezer)

To use, mix with water and apply with a watering can or sprayer. Drench the soil or compost with water after application.

For more information visit www.gardening-naturally.com/vine-weevil-nematodes

Slug Nematodes

Slug Nematodes for Slug Control

Slug nematodes stop slugs eating your vegetables, they are safe to use around children, pets and wildlife. Nematodes are microscopically small worms that are capable of effectively  killing slugs.

The nematodes are applied as a drench to the soil surface. They actively search for their prey and invade it via the respiratory opening under the mantle. An infected slug stops feeding within 3 to 5 days and then displays a typical swelling of the mantle. The nematodes multiply inside the slug and when it starts to decompose, a new generation of nematodes spreads and starts looking for the next prey.

The nematodes can be used applied between April and September. In order to protect young seedlings or cuttings against slugs, it is best to apply the nematodes 1 week in advance of planting. Ensure the soil is moist before applying the nematodes and kept moist for two weeks. The nematodes provide protection against slugs for approximately 6 weeks.

For more information visit www.gardening-naturally.com/slug-nematodes

Beautiful Ladybirds for your Garden

Use ladybirds for natural pest control as they are natural predators and will seek aphids immediately.

An adult ladybird lays 20 to 50 eggs a day. The eggs are a yellowish, orange-like colour. The duration of the hatching normally takes 4 to 8 days depending on the climate. After the hatching, the larvae will seek aphids immediately.

Once in the fourth larval stage, the larva stops eating and pupates. During pupation, which takes approximately 8 days, the ladybird stops eating for a few days and stays inactive.

Finally, the adult beetles appear by tearing the pupal skin. During September and October they will look for a hibernation place. Ladybirds prefer outside walls, window frames or bark crevices.

Adalia bipunctata is a native ladybird which can be found all over Europe. It finds its way in a pretty extensive range of living areas and feeds on different aphid species.

The Ladybird is a regular visitor of vegetable gardens, fields and flowerbeds.

If ants are present it will reduce the efficiency of the ladybirds, use Insect Barrier Glue to stop ants crawling up plants and trees.

For more information visit https://www.gardening-naturally.com/ladybirds

Clothes Moth

The clothes moth is a small insect 4-7mm in size with pale straw coloured fore wings with no pattern, it is an indoor insect pest common throughout Britain where natural fibres are used.

The moth is attracted to many natural products of animal origin, especially woven fibres, fur and feather products. Clothes Moth does not carry germs or spread disease. However, the activities of the larvae will cause damage to products made from natural fibres.

A natural, pesticide free odourless pheromone trap is available to provide a warning to allow treatment of clothing, carpets, curtains and upholstery before damage occurs.

The clothes moth traps uses a special pheromone which mimics the scent released by the female moth. The male moth is lured to the trap by this scent and then gets trapped on the sticky base inside the trap.

Replace every two months or sooner if full. Use all year round and any earlier laid eggs will still be caught when they emerge as adults.

For more information visit www.gardening-naturally.com

Perfect Vegetables without Pesticides

Agralan Enviromesh- Fine Mesh Netting

Enviromesh insect netting will last 7-10 years, it is designed to protect fruit and vegetables from a large range of insect pests. It will protect against -cabbage root fly, carrot fly, cabbage white butterfly, pea moth, cutworm, cabbage whitefly, leaf miners and many other aphids.

Cover crops all the year round from planting right up to harvest. Ensure enough slack for the growth of the crop, bury the edges or secure with Tri-Pegs, crop cover clips or steel pegs ensuring there are no gaps.

The high level of ventilation, compared to 'Fleece' covers, reduces the risk of high temperature and humidity which can encourage diseases and weed growth. Also it is much less vulnerable to being blown away in strong winds.

Enviromesh will also provide protection against birds (including pigeons), rabbits and domestic pets and snails. Some protection against slugs is also given.

Note - if it is necessary to use slug pellets under the mesh, they will be inaccessible to birds and animals.

Enviromesh provides considerable protection against wind, hail and heavy rain. The Crops tend to be earlier and suffer less from physical damage they also tend to need less water under drought conditions. The crop may be watered (or fed with liquid fertiliser) through the mesh.
The mesh will also give some frost protection. It is particularly effective in protecting mature vegetables (e.g. cauliflower and calabrese) from autumn frosts.Note - To protect more tender plants from frost (e.g. early potatoes, dwarf and runner beans), Envirofleece should be used.
Soil conditions are also improved, by the reduction of capping and puddling. This allows better germination and survival of seedlings. The plants also appear to make more efficient use of fertilisers.

Most vegetable crops, and soft fruit, may be protected with Enviromesh, including: Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, turnips, swedes, radish, carrot, parsnip, celery, spinach, parsley, onions, leeks, peas, lettuce and all types of oriental vegetables. Strawberries, raspberries and currants may also be covered.

Note - Do not cover plants during flowering if they depend on pollination by bees (e.g. beans and strawberries).

The mesh may be removed for short periods to allow for weeding. If possible this should be carried out during cool, breezy conditions when insects are less likely to be flying.

It may be used to cover cold frames or cloche hoops. It may also be used to create 'insect proof ' door curtains for the greenhouse or conservatory. Cover cages for the growing of exhibition flowers, as it will exclude insect pests and birds.

Please Note
Always cover plants and seeds immediately after planting or sowing. Plants should be inspected to ensure that they are free from insect pests before they are covered. It is advisable to protect any seedlings which are grown for transplanting.

Cutting
Enviromesh may be 'cut' using an electric soldering iron and a 'straight edge'. Alternatively, cut edges may be 'hemmed' using a rot proof nylon thread. The net should be carefully lifted, cleaned and dried before winter storage.

Care of Enviromesh
If it becomes dirty, it may be washed using a mild detergent and warm (not hot) water. It is best stored in dry conditions out of direct sunlight.
With care the netting should last for at least 7 years.

Pheromone traps should not be a threat to wildlife

For some years before Agralan launched codling moth traps into the home and garden market they had been widely used in commercial orchards for monitoring, so initially the same design of trap was used.

As use in the garden increased, an instance of a bird getting entangled in the glue was reported, causing considerable upset to the gardener concerned. The first of these instances was reported to us by the RSPCA. After consultation with the RSPCA and the RSPB, who agreed that the use of these traps had positive benefits to wildlife, we re-designed the trap to minimise the risk to birds.

A new design of trap with restricted opening was then trialled to compare the efficacy with the old trap. These trials were successful and after further consultation with the RSPB the trap was modified. Now the instances of birds being caught now are rare and are usually caused by the gardener not following the instructions or where a dying fledgling blue tit had managed to crawl into the trap.

The risk to birds has now been reintroduced by a company selling pheromone traps using the old design. It is our fear that the instances of birds being caught will rise significantly. This will result in a number of upset gardeners who will in turn blame the retailers who supply the product and cause adverse publicity which will reflect on the use of pheromone traps in general. This may in turn cause an upturn in use of insecticides in the garden which will reduce the food supply of certain types of wildlife.

We feel that it is important that retailers and gardeners should be aware of this potential problem.

For more information visit www.gardening-naturally.com