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NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
30 August 2024 09:33:53
Noticed an issue with Box moth caterpillars recently. 
I was able to complete a manual pogrom and ordered some biological nematode control and a trap. 
I await to see how they control the pest. Fish in the pool don't like the caterpillars, as I think they are poisonous to them or taste awful.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
StoneCroze
26 September 2024 16:15:32
Wind gusting to 45Kts earlier, leaves now mostly disappeared off the trees. 
Quite pleased, senior management is creating a little hazel copse in the back garden and she ordered some various ferns to use as underplanting. Only put them in a fortnight ago but they are doing very well.  
Alderney, Channel Islands. (previously known as Beaufort)
StoneCroze
14 October 2024 12:04:55
Spent the morning emptying the greenhouse. Despite another cold spring it has been a reasonable season.
Last of the tomatoes picked this morning along with the cucumbers and sweet peppers. 
Sweet peppers were sown 2nd January and did very well, the only bugbear being plagued by wood lice which burrow in alongside the stem, very annoying. Anybody any ideas?
Next job is to plant some Jersey Royals in the raised bed in the greenhouse so they will be ready for Christmas.
Then go and get some seaweed to spread around liberally around the place. Awaiting decent Spring tides and some storms for that exercise.
Alderney, Channel Islands. (previously known as Beaufort)
Bertwhistle
14 November 2024 14:09:40
Such has been the queerness of this autumn that my chilli and pepper plants continue to flower, set fruits (some of which ripen) and require watering, in mid November. Whilst by now I realise this is set to change soon, I must remark that I've not seen this so late in the year without glass covering, except in Spain once.
Other remarkable occurrences include spring flowers such as clover, buttercup and alkanet coming back into flower and many honeybees on the flowering sage.
In February we had our prolifically-fruiting 40ft walnut tree pollarded back to a 15ft stump. Woody warts started appearing in April, these extending until bursting into leaf in May. Every year the leaves have started to turn by the end of September and started falling along with the nuts throughout October. Most leaves were down and brown by the end of November.
This year barely a leaf has yellowed still. It looks in its high summer state in mid November. I can only imagine it continues to desperately try to repair itself for as long a season as possible, producing chlorophyll despite the trigger that fading light should bring. 
Gnats tease the fish in the fishpond and the masquerade rose is throwing a third round of blooms. In the mild sunshine, it is still lovely out there.
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+2
Gandalf The White
14 November 2024 15:05:48

Such has been the queerness of this autumn that my chilli and pepper plants continue to flower, set fruits (some of which ripen) and require watering, in mid November. Whilst by now I realise this is set to change soon, I must remark that I've not seen this so late in the year without glass covering, except in Spain once.
Other remarkable occurrences include spring flowers such as clover, buttercup and alkanet coming back into flower and many honeybees on the flowering sage.
In February we had our prolifically-fruiting 40ft walnut tree pollarded back to a 15ft stump. Woody warts started appearing in April, these extending until bursting into leaf in May. Every year the leaves have started to turn by the end of September and started falling along with the nuts throughout October. Most leaves were down and brown by the end of November.
This year barely a leaf has yellowed still. It looks in its high summer state in mid November. I can only imagine it continues to desperately try to repair itself for as long a season as possible, producing chlorophyll despite the trigger that fading light should bring. 
Gnats tease the fish in the fishpond and the masquerade rose is throwing a third round of blooms. In the mild sunshine, it is still lovely out there.

Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle 


Our mature walnut tree is now almost bare, having been shedding leaves since September.

I had to cut our lawns again this week; I’m hoping that’s it until February at least.

I have left the chard to keep growing as it’s doing ok, and there are almost no insects now, so the leaves are not being attacked much.

Planted red onion and garlic 2 weeks ago and most of the bulbs are now sprouting.  Not done it before but apparently they’re hardy enough; time will tell.
Location: South Cambridgeshire
130 metres ASL
52.0N 0.1E


NMA
  • NMA
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14 November 2024 15:47:51
I planted a fig in a pot this year. It did well and I have had 7 ripe figs. That is not supposed to happen on UK figs first year. These started as tiny figlets, grew pea sized and then over the past few weeks proper fig size before ripening. Tasty. I like fresh figs. Not everyones favourite though. Last year Aldi had dried figs in large quantities. Great with morning porridge. This year nought but loads of dates, and just as good with porridge I think.
I cut the grass yesterday in the back garden that gets no sun from now until mid March. The grass was dry and it looks tidy for the winter I hope with no more growth. 
I bought some fleece the other day to protect an ornamental ginger I grow in a pot, plus the fig and olive outside the office. No frost as yet here but I assume next week will see the first here of the autumn.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Sasa
  • Sasa
  • Advanced Member
15 November 2024 08:47:51

I planted a fig in a pot this year. It did well and I have had 7 ripe figs. That is not supposed to happen on UK figs first year. These started as tiny figlets, grew pea sized and then over the past few weeks proper fig size before ripening. Tasty. I like fresh figs. Not everyones favourite though. Last year Aldi had dried figs in large quantities. Great with morning porridge. This year nought but loads of dates, and just as good with porridge I think.
I cut the grass yesterday in the back garden that gets no sun from now until mid March. The grass was dry and it looks tidy for the winter I hope with no more growth. 
I bought some fleece the other day to protect an ornamental ginger I grow in a pot, plus the fig and olive outside the office. No frost as yet here but I assume next week will see the first here of the autumn.

Originally Posted by: NMA 



I have propagated various varieties of figs sourced from different gardeners, using a simple selection criterion: whether the figs ripen in the UK climate and how many crops they produce. Some varieties yield multiple crops, while others drop much of their fruit around May and June, then produce a main crop that typically ripens in September or October. Unfortunately, many of these late-season figs don't fully ripen due to the UK's shorter summer.

If you enjoy figs like I do, it's best to take cuttings from other gardens after speaking with the owner to confirm or minotor the tree to see if they really ripen to determine whether the variety is suitable for the UK climate. Some figs produce an abundant crop initially but later drop all their fruit. This happens because they are Mediterranean varieties that depend on a specific insect for pollination. This insect, which is essential for ripening, hasn't made its way to the UK yet. I can’t recall the name of this pollinating insect, but you may be able to find it through some research.
Kingston Upon Thames
Bertwhistle
15 November 2024 10:27:06

Our mature walnut tree is now almost bare, having been shedding leaves since September.

I had to cut our lawns again this week; I’m hoping that’s it until February at least.

I have left the chard to keep growing as it’s doing ok, and there are almost no insects now, so the leaves are not being attacked much.

Planted red onion and garlic 2 weeks ago and most of the bulbs are now sprouting.  Not done it before but apparently they’re hardy enough; time will tell.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 


That would be quite early for us in a normal year, unless as in '22, there were long dry spells. Has it been dry in your area during the summer?
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
15 November 2024 12:56:40
Indeeed Sasa. I learnt a long time ago that figs need to be contained or at least their roots. I planted two in a much larger place and they grew like giants. Still there and causing grief. No fruit of course. Now I'm where I am with a smaller garden I can pick and choose. The olive has a few fruits like this. It's a sentimental plant (my mum gave it to me many years ago). 
UserPostedImage
The fig is small and prolific. Brown Turkey. Will go into a slightly larger pot in the spring. It will come into the office if it looks like becoming Retronesque.
UserPostedImage
I pleased with my tree fern two years since I bought it. Will need fleece or the office if Retron and Co are right about this coming chill.
UserPostedImage
But the raised ponds (two) are my concern. They froze last winter but the fish survived. The pump runs 24/7. I might get a small aquarium heater if things look like becoming like 2010.
UserPostedImage
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Roger Parsons
15 November 2024 13:42:35
The sex life of the fig.  It is worth reading up on this. In the UK we do not have the fig wasp pollinator, so figs do not reproduce "naturally". The fruits develop without this. A colleague who knows about these things suggests that with global warming the wasps may get here and our figs may reproduce sexually and start spreading across the countryside!

RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Sasa
  • Sasa
  • Advanced Member
15 November 2024 15:58:48

It's a shame that the fly didn't make it to the UK; I would have had a better selection of figs. On the contrary, this fly has arrived here and has been spotted, leading to maggots in blackberries and raspberries, which is really frustrating. Interestingly, it does NOT like yellow raspberries, so they have remained unaffected.


https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/features/spotted-wing-drosophila#:~:text=The%20spotted%20wing%20drosophila%20 (Drosophila,also%20feeds%20on%20developing%20fruit.
Kingston Upon Thames
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
15 November 2024 16:18:51
I was half hoping you'd bring up (again)  the subject of the sex life of the fig Roger.
For me I'll just enjoy my fly free figs a bit longer without the thought of having to create a new dish like those Kunga cakes you can taste in Malawi.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Bolty
20 November 2024 08:05:30
Crap. I remembered late last night that I'd left my young mandarin tree out in the garden. Went out at 22:30 to drag it into the garage. It's been exposed to snow and a few hours at -1/-2°C, so time will tell what damage was done. Fingers crossed it survives though. 🙁
Scott
Blackrod, Lancashire (4 miles south of Chorley) at 156m asl.
My weather station 
Roger Parsons
20 November 2024 08:36:05

Crap. I remembered late last night that I'd left my young mandarin tree out in the garden. Went out at 22:30 to drag it into the garage. It's been exposed to snow and a few hours at -1/-2°C, so time will tell what damage was done. Fingers crossed it survives though. 🙁

Originally Posted by: Bolty 


Happy to say we had wrapped and put our lemon tree into its winter shelter that morning, Bolty. Hope your Mandarin trees survives.
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Sasa
  • Sasa
  • Advanced Member
20 November 2024 08:53:57

Crap. I remembered late last night that I'd left my young mandarin tree out in the garden. Went out at 22:30 to drag it into the garage. It's been exposed to snow and a few hours at -1/-2°C, so time will tell what damage was done. Fingers crossed it survives though. 🙁

Originally Posted by: Bolty 


It should be fine if exposed for several hours. Its not unusual for them to get frost in the med in winter. i certainly know this is the case in Croatia/Adriatic coast which does see ocassional snowfall and and frosts at night time.
Kingston Upon Thames
+1
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
20 November 2024 09:12:19
You should be fine. What those trees don't like is soggy compost freezing, thawing, freezing. A bit of minor frost no problem.
Light is useful, which is why an orangery can be useful. Not many people have those of course. 
A conservatory would be the same. A dark garage not ideal.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Mildly Disappointed
20 November 2024 10:02:13
Brought our lemon tree indoors last night. The last couple of winters we have had short cold spells with minima close to -10c and it suffered badly in the greenhouse. Gave it a hard prune this year and it's looking very healthy now so I don't want to risk losing it. It can sit in the dining area of the kitchen by the glass doors well away from any radiators for the next few days. When it goes mild again it can go back out on the deck. It's pretty heavy but I can lift it in and out when needed
Hoping these frosts and Saturday's gales will finally remove the leaves from our large bramley apple tree. That also had a hard prune last winter and the mass of new growth is still in full leaf, spoiling the current seasonal scene in the garden
Jason
Salfords, Surrey
+3
Roger Parsons
20 November 2024 10:12:15

You should be fine. What those trees don't like is soggy compost freezing, thawing, freezing. A bit of minor frost no problem.
Light is useful, which is why an orangery can be useful. Not many people have those of course. 
A conservatory would be the same. A dark garage not ideal.

Originally Posted by: NMA 


For many years we used our lemon tree as a Christmas tree - which worked well - but eventually we got fed up with the slug trails on the carpet! Now it gets wrapped in fleece and winters with the wheelie bins. 😁
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Bolty
20 November 2024 10:12:46

You should be fine. What those trees don't like is soggy compost freezing, thawing, freezing. A bit of minor frost no problem.
Light is useful, which is why an orangery can be useful. Not many people have those of course. 
A conservatory would be the same. A dark garage not ideal.

Originally Posted by: NMA 


I used to have a lemon tree that I grown from seed and I left that out during the cold nights of April 2021 (many nights were between -2 and -5°C here). It dropped all its leaves and I thought I'd lost it but they grew back going into the summer.

Going off that and what you and others have said, I think citrus trees are actually more hardy than we expect. Of course, repeated frosts and freezes won't do them any good at all, but they can clearly survive a few. Sasa pointed out that they grow widely in Spain, Greece and the Adriatic region, and those places, the latter two especially, definitely see frosts in winter.
Scott
Blackrod, Lancashire (4 miles south of Chorley) at 156m asl.
My weather station 
+1
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
20 November 2024 11:51:56
Did that with the olive for several years. And very festive with some red baubles. As you say, the slug trails can be an/the issue.
It's about the time of year when the mice want to come inside. They seem to get in behind the oven somehow. I'm traditional when it comes to mice.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Mildly Disappointed
20 November 2024 12:30:53
I was thinking it would look nice with some Christmas lights on. It is an attractive little tree
Further to points made by others, I found the original paperwork for it when doing some tidying recently. We purchased it in Sep 2010 so it certainly survived that Dec. Must have had it wrapped in fleece in the greenhouse. It's a variety called Eureka and according to the information leaflet, should be hardy enough for short periods down to -5c. It says citrus do not like high winter temperatures, nor do they like sudden changes in air temperature. I know Monty Don always says that it's the combination of cold and wet that is bad for Mediterranean plants
We've had a few lemons from it over the years but not every year. This year, as I have the space for it, I'm going to make more of an effort to get it through the winter in the best condition possible. Hopefully it will then produce some of its wonderfully scented blossom and fruit
Jason
Salfords, Surrey
+1

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