HOME & GARDEN Tales from a kitchen Gardener by Yvonne Anderson, Melfort House
Victory is mine! D
IATOMACEOUS Earth - the claims are true.
This natural product has completely sabotaged the slug population of the polytunnel. Not one slimy body in sight. All their favourite salad crops are looking tender and delicious. Not so much as a nibble! Yet they are everywhere out- side and no ants either. The ultimate battle will be against the Red Spi- der Mite, when it strikes. One vital reminder for anyone using Diatomaceous Earth – it looks innocuous enough, like talcum powder. How- ever, it’s actually comprised of tiny shards of fossilised diatoms which are sharper than a Glasgow lawyer. Less likely to damage your wallet but a real risk to your lungs, if inhaled. The mice population remains exuberant, cock- ing a snook at the traps of cheese, peanut but- ter and honey. I overwintered some Jeyes Pea seeds in the house. I strolled out to the tunnel last month, rejoicing at the thought of saving myself the im- pertinent price of a seed packet, a clutch of the prized peas in my outstretched hand. I might have been carrying the crown jewels. I suddenly remembered they needed soaking, so I left them there overnight in some water. The next day, I returned to the dish. Horror of horrors, they were gone, completely knobbled by mice in one measly night. Jeyes Peas are a heritage variety and sadly, I have no more (consider this a heartfelt appeal to anyone who has some) and our cat, Jazzy, might be 17 but she’s on her last warning. Talking of strangled cats, I’ve been singing along to some Scottish Opera favourites in the tunnel. The neighbours are traumatised. Scot-
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Second sowings ready to plant
tish Opera were performing in Ardfern recently. Feeling cultural, Matthew and I went along to soak up the experience. The evening was fantastic. Soaring sopranos and booming baritones carried us away with their lilting arias. It was a privilege to be in the presence of such commanding voices in this in- timate village hall setting. We listened, watched and giggled at their musical and comedic an- tics. They swept us off into another, more glam- orous world. Still fl oating on a cloud, we fi led out of the hall. Next moment, we overheard an older lady say to her chum, ‘So Morag, whit did ye make o’ that, then?’
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