THE last thing I needed to find on a Monday morning was an old module tray that had become a residential unit for snails. On the plus side, they were discovered before they had time to rampage through the garden, and are now roaming wild and free in the fields over the road.
The warmer weather and abundance of soft new growth make spring a boom time for pests, whether they are whitefly in your greenhouse, aphids on your roses, slugs and snails anywhere or pigeons pecking your young brassicas.
It's tempting, I know, to ruthlessly tidy everything up and reach for the chemical sprays in a preemptive strike. But I suggest you stay your hand.
While clearing away garden debris will remove dark recesses where pests lurk, it will also leave the beneficial bugs and invertebrates that pollinate plants and eat pests with nowhere to go.
Leave a couple of unruly patches of garden where 'pest controllers' such as ladybirds, spiders and beetles can hang out, make time to check plants regularly and remove pests by hand before small colonies turn into an infestation.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters
