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Avoiding black fly on broad beans?
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gil
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Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 06 11:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I got things the wrong way round in my previous post, so have edited it to give the correct info, and a bit more.

RosemaryJane



Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 46
Location: Hertfordshire
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 06 11:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

corinne wrote:
A hose, dpack? We already have a hosepipe ban in our area. Watering the allotment is going to be a real pain if the weather is dry. .

Our water authority (Three Valleys) is excluding allotments from the hosepipe ban, which is nice of them but we dont have a tap there just a tank. So dont assume that the allotment is automatically included.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45382
Location: yes
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 06 11:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

the ones i planted under cloches in november are multi flowered and setting beans, they are short but very flowered ,the feb sown ones are growing and will be bigger .
so are all their companion plants .
broad beans easy (no not peasy) beansy
and the fur of broad bean pods cures warts .(even on dogs )
i will plant the next cycle in early june .
i also grow other beans .
pick a bean or bean variety for a place and time and it will reward your good judgement .
i was given some purple seeded climbers today which as they are soaked should be up soon .
pick types of pulse to suit the season /conditions and for what you like .most of the year you can have some growing .
ace plants .

Res



Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 1172
Location: Allotment Shed, Harlow
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 06 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

RosemaryJane wrote:
Our water authority (Three Valleys) is excluding allotments from the hosepipe ban,


I come under three valleys as well, but we are not allowed to use the hose pipe anyway (council rules) except for filling a container.

I dont suppose that you could then have irrigation pipes coming out of the bottom of your container and all you need to do is fill up the water butt everyday?

rhyddid



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 228

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 06 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

simon wrote:
And don't forget that the ants cultivate them for the sap they produce. Get rid of the ant and you are half way there (and vica versa). Tried wishy washy soapy water last year but to no avail. The bloody things killed the lot. Apparently the time to pinch the tops out is when four trusses of pods have developed. I'll be doing that this year.


How do you get rid of ants that seem to have taken over a large compost heap ?

Blue Sky



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 7658
Location: France
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 06 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Very hot water?

gil
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 06 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

simon wrote:
Very hot water?


No, Nooooo, think of all the nutrients leaching out of your compost. [I thought about hot water too]. Flame-weeder/thrower ?

hedgehogpie



Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Res wrote:
RosemaryJane wrote:
Our water authority (Three Valleys) is excluding allotments from the hosepipe ban,


I come under three valleys as well, but we are not allowed to use the hose pipe anyway (council rules) except for filling a container.

I dont suppose that you could then have irrigation pipes coming out of the bottom of your container and all you need to do is fill up the water butt everyday?


We're rigging up a dripfeed irrigation system based on the small gauge piping and drippers that you can now buy from B&Q (much cheaper than the Gardenia version). There'll be large-ish containers positioned on the fenceposts above the veg beds to gravity feed from. I'm hoping that the water we conserve from our water butts will be sufficient to keep the system going, but at the moment it's experimental.

As to the ants, well - you could try something with a citrus strong odour like orange peel scattered liberally around the trails and entrances to their nest. I've also heard that cloves (or rather oil of?) is a good deterrant. Might be worth a go, least neither thing is toxic!

rhyddid



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 228

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

gil wrote:
simon wrote:
Very hot water?


No, Nooooo, think of all the nutrients leaching out of your compost. [I thought about hot water too]. Flame-weeder/thrower ?


If only there was an ant predator I could encourage ... apart from armadillos as I think they may complain about our cold weather. And I don't think the neighbours would approve.

Blue Sky



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 7658
Location: France
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

rhyddid wrote:
If only there was an ant predator I could encourage ... apart from armadillos as I think they may complain about our cold weather. And I don't think the neighbours would approve.


The hens will get them (but they'll ruin your lettuces too )

hedgehogpie



Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

According to my book on companion planting, you could also try Tansy. It apparently deters aphids and ants - so two birds with one stone!

gil
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 9:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

rhyddid wrote:
armadillos.




I used to have fantasies about having land with kangaroos, but thought they'd be utterly miserable in the Scottish climate (and the neighbouring farmers would not have approved)

hedgehogpie



Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Wallabies are smaller and you can hide them more easily........

gil
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Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 10:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

hedgehogpie wrote:
Wallabies are smaller and you can hide them more easily........


And they do well as far north as Derbyshire

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45382
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 06 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

the derbyshire wallabies and the battersea wallabies need some northern rellies .
huge mice .
not eaten one yet .
i like em . met one at the top of a climb, woke up with lots .
huge mice

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