Page 8 - SV 3 2024

Well as some of the comments in the Branch reports say it has been wet winter and spring, who said climate change is not happening! Whether this is what we have to get used to annually or most years we will have to wait and see but it is what the climate scientists predicted. We have had the ten warmest months on record up to March 2024, at the time of writing April’s figure is not available. If it is repeated, we will need to adapt and change our growing habits to allow for the changing climate.
There is little sign of action from our politicians or for that matter many others, few people seem to be making any changes in their lifestyle. A recent survey of young people stated that their biggest concern is climate change, and it is one of the causes of youth depression I have to say the future does not look bright unless we make changes soon. Climate scientists say action is now urgent if we wish to avoid possible catastrophes. Hopefully members are doing what they can especially if they have children and grandchildren, as a well-known supermarket says, “every little helps”!
You may be asking what is this guy doing or is he like the politicians and all talk?
Well amazingly I put my hand in my pocket and found my wallet to buy 2 new water butts; the debit card is still in shock! It did not take long for them to fill up, I have also managed to acquire some containers that hold water so have tubs and buckets all over the place. I am reducing my mileage, electric use and water use as well as
recycling everything I can which includes raiding paladin bins and skips to see
what I can find. It is absolutely amazing what people throw away; in a way it is depressing to see such waste but pleasing to get something of use for free!
Ladybirds and their Larvae. Most people who own a garden or a plot are familiar with the plump little insects called ladybirds. They are easily recognised by their hard, shiny wing-covers, often with two or more spots. The larva is a curious crocodile-
Kelvin’s Comments
Onion Senshyu Yellow growing well overwinter
As growers we could be affected more than many if the ground is wet, waterlogged, flooded, or affected by drought, not to mention wind damage to plants. We can also help to reduce the effects by growing our own food and living as sustainable as possible.
The larva
is a curious crocodile-like animal which seems to be very prevalent this year, and many people are alarmed to see dozens of them crawling about crops
like animal which seems
to be very prevalent this year, and many people are alarmed to see dozens of them crawling about crops of various kinds. Often when the crop shows signs of having been eaten by insects the Ladybird larva is at once suspected of being the culprit, but this is not really the case. Both the adult Ladybird and the larva live entirely on other insects, and it is to seek these that the larva are so busy and prevalent round plants
that are being eaten. Every encouragement, therefore, should be shown to these busy little creatures, which destroy thousands of injurious insects, and are of
Early crop of carrots in polytunnel
Remember to sow
your late vegetables for
harvesting overwinter and
next spring, the price of all
food whether fresh or not
is likely to increase more
than the rate of inflation
owing to a number of
factors so growing your
own is worthwhile just from
an economic point of view.
If autumns continue to be
mild and damp plants will continue to grow.
the greatest value to all gardening people.
Earlier in the year I had the idea of heating my greenhouse using a hotbed, this is not new as it is a method used by some people, I wanted to move my tomatoes
out of the spare bedroom into better light but was concerned the temperature would
8 Simply Vegetables
The following paragraph is from a 1918 edition of The Irish Garden magazine (of which there are further articles later in this magazine). It just goes to show that wildlife and encouraging predators is nothing new as some books seem to indicate.
KELVIN MASON FNVS, NATIONAL MAGAZINE EDITOR