Mission accomplished. 🐞
I ordered 30 two-spot ladybirds from the TarhurinApu online shop to tackle the aphids on our glazed terrace. I also released a few of them in the garden, where I grow courgettes. Each ladybird cost €1.20, including delivery. I'm clearly in the wrong business!
After completely destroying the nasturtiums last week, the aphids moved on to the courgette flowers, tomato and chilli plants. Now nature's own pest-control team is getting to work.
Gardening is much harder than it looks. Aphids are only one part of the problem. Blackbirds help themselves to my blackcurrants, redcurrants and raspberries straight from the bushes, while an enormous hare has developed a taste for my herbs. Then there are the snails and slugs, not to mention the endless task of removing weeds such as dandelions and ground elder.
Gardening often feels like a constant battle, with something always trying to eat, invade or take over. Nuff said!